Localized versus itinerant states created by multiple oxygen vacancies in SrTiO3

Science.gov (United States)

Jeschke, Harald O.; Shen, Juan; Valentí, Roser

2015-02-01

Oxygen vacancies in strontium titanate surfaces (SrTiO3) have been linked to the presence of a two-dimensional electron gas with unique behavior. We perform a detailed density functional theory study of the lattice and electronic structure of SrTiO3 slabs with multiple oxygen vacancies, with a main focus on two vacancies near a titanium dioxide terminated SrTiO3 surface. We conclude based on total energies that the two vacancies preferably inhabit the first two layers, i.e. they cluster vertically, while in the direction parallel to the surface, the vacancies show a weak tendency towards equal spacing. Analysis of the nonmagnetic electronic structure indicates that oxygen defects in the surface TiO2 layer lead to population of Ti {{t}2g} states and thus itinerancy of the electrons donated by the oxygen vacancy. In contrast, electrons from subsurface oxygen vacancies populate Ti eg states and remain localized on the two Ti ions neighboring the vacancy. We find that both the formation of a bound oxygen-vacancy state composed of hybridized Ti 3eg and 4p states neighboring the oxygen vacancy as well as the elastic deformation after extracting oxygen contribute to the stabilization of the in-gap state.

Oxygen vacancies: The origin of n -type conductivity in ZnO

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Liu, Lishu; Mei, Zengxia; Tang, Aihua; Azarov, Alexander; Kuznetsov, Andrej; Xue, Qi-Kun; Du, Xiaolong

2016-06-01

Oxygen vacancy (VO) is a common native point defect that plays crucial roles in determining the physical and chemical properties of metal oxides such as ZnO. However, fundamental understanding of VO is still very sparse. Specifically, whether VO is mainly responsible for the n -type conductivity in ZnO has been still unsettled in the past 50 years. Here, we report on a study of oxygen self-diffusion by conceiving and growing oxygen-isotope ZnO heterostructures with delicately controlled chemical potential and Fermi level. The diffusion process is found to be predominantly mediated by VO. We further demonstrate that, in contrast to the general belief of their neutral attribute, the oxygen vacancies in ZnO are actually +2 charged and thus responsible for the unintentional n -type conductivity as well as the nonstoichiometry of ZnO. The methodology can be extended to study oxygen-related point defects and their energetics in other technologically important oxide materials.

Microstructure evolution characteristics induced by oxygen vacancy generation in anatase TiO2 based resistive switching devices

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Chen; Gao, Bin; Huang, Peng; Kang, Jinfeng

2017-03-01

In this work, first principle calculations are employed to study the microstructure characteristics of the anatase TiO2 resistive switching material associated with the generation of oxygen vacancy (V o) based nanofilaments during the switching process. The calculations indicate that both the magnéli phase Ti4O7 and V o-defect phase of anatase TiO2 may be formed with the generation of oxygen vacancies during the forming and SET processes. Based on the calculations, a new physical insight is proposed to clarify the microstructure evolution characteristics of the anatase TiO2 resistive switching material and the correlation with resistive switching behaviors. During the forming or SET process, the anatase TiO2 is first excited to a transition state with the generation of oxygen vacancies, then fully relaxes to a stable V o-defect state. This V o-defect state may either recover to the original state with the recombination of the oxygen vacancies, which causes the reversible resistive switching behavior, or further transform to a much more stable state—the magnéli phase Ti4O7, through a phase transition process with the generation of many more oxygen vacancies. The phase transition from V o- defective anatase phase to magnéli phase Ti4O7 causes the failure of the resistive switching due to the significantly reduced possibility of the reversible phase transition from the magnéli phase to the anatase phase, compared with the possibility of the recombination from the V o-defective anatase.

Nature of oxygen donors and radiation defects in oxygen-doped germanium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fukuoka, Noboru; Atobe, Kozo; Honda, Makoto; Matsuda, Koji.

1991-01-01

The nature of oxygen donors and radiation defects in oxygen-doped germanium were studied through measurements of the infrared absorption spectrum, deep level transient spectroscopy spectrum and carrier concentration. It is revealed that a new donor is not formed in oxygen-doped germanium. An A-center (interstitial oxygen-vacancy pair) forms a complex with a thermal donor in its annealing stage at 60degC-140degC. The introduction rate of defects by 1.5 MeV electron irradiation was enhanced in thermal-donor-doped samples. (author)

Oxygen vacancies in oxides studied by annihilation of mono-energetic positrons

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hugenschmidt, Christoph; Pikart, Philip [ZWE FRM II, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Lichtenbergstrasse 1, 85747 Garching (Germany); Physik-Department E21, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, James-Franck-Strasse, 85748 Garching (Germany); Schreckenbach, Klaus [Physik-Department E21, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, James-Franck-Strasse, 85748 Garching (Germany)

2009-07-01

Oxygen vacancies play a fundamental role for the material properties of various oxides, e.g. charge carrier density in high-Tc superconductors, magnetic properties of diluted magnetic semiconductors or paramagnetic properties of SiO{sub 2}. In this study, open volume defects in (metal) oxides are investigated by Doppler-broadening spectroscopy (DBS) of the positron annihilation. More detailed information about the chemical surrounding at the positron annihilation site is gained by additional coincident DBS experiments, where a signature of positrons annihilating with electrons from oxygen is observed. The mono-energetic positron beam at NEPOMUC was used which allows depth dependent measurements, and hence the investigation of thin oxide layers. Recent results for metallic oxides such as ZnO are presented and compared with various non-metallic oxides such as amorphous and crystalline SiO{sub 2}, oxygen terminated Si-surface, and ice. The role of neutral and charged oxygen vacancies and the application of the positron annihilation technique to study oxygen vacancies will be discussed.

Identification of vacancy defect complexes in transparent semiconducting oxides ZnO, In2O3 and SnO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Makkonen, Ilja; Korhonen, Esa; Prozheeva, Vera; Tuomisto, Filip

2016-01-01

Positron annihilation spectroscopy, when combined with supporting high-quality modeling of positron states and annihilation in matter, is a powerful tool for detailed defect identification of vacancy-type defects in semiconductors and oxides. Here we demonstrate that the Doppler broadening of the positron annihilation radiation is a very sensitive means for observing the oxygen environment around cation vacancies, the main open-volume defects trapping positrons in measurements made for transparent semiconducting oxides. Changes in the positron annihilation signal due to external manipulation such as irradiation and annealing can be correlated with the associated changes in the sizes of the detected vacancy clusters. Our examples for ZnO, In 2 O 3 and SnO 2 demonstrate that oxygen vacancies in oxides can be detected directly using positron annihilation spectroscopy when they are complexed with cation vacancies. (paper)

Identification of vacancy defect complexes in transparent semiconducting oxides ZnO, In2O3 and SnO2

Science.gov (United States)

Makkonen, Ilja; Korhonen, Esa; Prozheeva, Vera; Tuomisto, Filip

2016-06-01

Positron annihilation spectroscopy, when combined with supporting high-quality modeling of positron states and annihilation in matter, is a powerful tool for detailed defect identification of vacancy-type defects in semiconductors and oxides. Here we demonstrate that the Doppler broadening of the positron annihilation radiation is a very sensitive means for observing the oxygen environment around cation vacancies, the main open-volume defects trapping positrons in measurements made for transparent semiconducting oxides. Changes in the positron annihilation signal due to external manipulation such as irradiation and annealing can be correlated with the associated changes in the sizes of the detected vacancy clusters. Our examples for ZnO, In2O3 and SnO2 demonstrate that oxygen vacancies in oxides can be detected directly using positron annihilation spectroscopy when they are complexed with cation vacancies.

Simulation of the Atomic and Electronic Structure of Oxygen Vacancies and Polyvacancies in ZrO2

Science.gov (United States)

Perevalov, T. V.

2018-03-01

Cubic, tetragonal, and monoclinic phases of zirconium oxide with oxygen vacancies and polyvacancies are studied by quantum chemical modeling of the atomic and electronic structure. It is demonstrated that an oxygen vacancy in ZrO2 may act as both an electron trap and a hole one. An electron added to the ZrO2 structure with an oxygen vacancy is distributed between two neighboring Zr atoms and is a bonding orbital by nature. It is advantageous for each subsequent O vacancy to form close to the already existing ones; notably, one Zr atom has no more than two removed O atoms related to it. Defect levels from oxygen polyvacancies are distributed in the bandgap with preferential localization in the vicinity of the oxygen monovacancy level.

Controlled oxygen vacancy induced p-type conductivity in HfO{sub 2-x} thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hildebrandt, Erwin; Kurian, Jose; Mueller, Mathis M.; Kleebe, Hans-Joachim; Alff, Lambert [Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universitaet Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt (Germany); Schroeder, Thomas [IHP, 15236 Frankfurt/Oder (Germany)

2011-09-12

We have synthesized highly oxygen deficient HfO{sub 2-x} thin films by controlled oxygen engineering using reactive molecular beam epitaxy. Above a threshold value of oxygen vacancies, p-type conductivity sets in with up to 6 times 10{sup 21} charge carriers per cm{sup 3}. At the same time, the band-gap is reduced continuously by more than 1 eV. We suggest an oxygen vacancy induced p-type defect band as origin of the observed behavior.

Zn-vacancy related defects in ZnO grown by pulsed laser deposition

Science.gov (United States)

Ling, F. C. C.; Luo, C. Q.; Wang, Z. L.; Anwand, W.; Wagner, A.

2017-02-01

Undoped and Ga-doped ZnO (002) films were grown c-sapphire using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. Znvacancy related defects in the films were studied by different positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). These included Doppler broadening spectroscopy (DBS) employing a continuous monenergetic positron beam, and positron lifetime spectroscopy using a pulsed monoenergetic positron beam attached to an electron linear accelerator. Two kinds of Znvacancy related defects namely a monovacancy and a divacancy were identified in the films. In as-grown undoped samples grown with relatively low oxygen pressure P(O2)≤1.3 Pa, monovacancy is the dominant Zn-vacancy related defect. Annealing these samples at 900 oC induced Zn out-diffusion into the substrate and converted the monovacancy to divacancy. For the undoped samples grown with high P(O2)=5 Pa irrespective of the annealing temperature and the as-grown degenerate Ga-doped sample (n=1020 cm-3), divacancy is the dominant Zn-vacancy related defect. The clustering of vacancy will be discussed.

Oxygen vacancy defect engineering using atomic layer deposited HfAlOx in multi-layered gate stack

Science.gov (United States)

Bhuyian, M. N.; Sengupta, R.; Vurikiti, P.; Misra, D.

2016-05-01

This work evaluates the defects in high quality atomic layer deposited (ALD) HfAlOx with extremely low Al (estimated by the high temperature current voltage measurement shows that the charged oxygen vacancies, V+/V2+, are the primary source of defects in these dielectrics. When Al is added in HfO2, the V+ type defects with a defect activation energy of Ea ˜ 0.2 eV modify to V2+ type to Ea ˜ 0.1 eV with reference to the Si conduction band. When devices were stressed in the gate injection mode for 1000 s, more V+ type defects are generated and Ea reverts back to ˜0.2 eV. Since Al has a less number of valence electrons than do Hf, the change in the co-ordination number due to Al incorporation seems to contribute to the defect level modifications. Additionally, the stress induced leakage current behavior observed at 20 °C and at 125 °C demonstrates that the addition of Al in HfO2 contributed to suppressed trap generation process. This further supports the defect engineering model as reduced flat-band voltage shifts were observed at 20 °C and at 125 °C.

Oxygen vacancy-induced ferromagnetism in un-doped ZnO thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Zhan, Peng; Wang, Weipeng; Liu, Can; Hu, Yang; Li, Zhengcao; Zhang, Zhengjun; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Baoyi; Cao, Xingzhong

2012-02-01

ZnO films became ferromagnetic when defects were introduced by thermal-annealing in flowing argon. This ferromagnetism, as shown by the photoluminescence measurement and positron annihilation analysis, was induced by the singly occupied oxygen vacancy with a saturated magnetization dependent positively on the amount of this vacancy. This study clarified the origin of the ferromagnetism of un-doped ZnO thin films and provides possibly an alternative way to prepare ferromagnetic ZnO films.

Vacancy defects in epitaxial La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films probed by a slow positron beam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Jin, S W; Zhou, X Y; Wu, W B; Zhu, C F; Weng, H M; Wang, H Y; Zhang, X F; Ye, B J; Han, R D

2004-01-01

Vacancy defects in epitaxial La 0.7 Sr 0.3 MnO 3 (LSMO) thin films on LaAlO 3 substrates were detected using a variable energy positron beam. The line-shape S parameter of the epitaxial thin films deposited at different oxygen pressures was measured as a function of the implanting positron energy E. Our results show that the S parameter of the films changes non-monotonically with their deposition oxygen pressures. For the films deposited at lower oxygen pressures, the increase in S value in the films is attributed to the increase in oxygen vacancies and/or related defect-V O complexes, and for those deposited at higher oxygen pressures, the larger S parameter of the films is caused by the grain boundaries and/or metallic ion vacancies. The surface morphology of the films was also characterized to analyse the open volume defects in the LSMO films

Effects of oxygen vacancies on the structural and optical properties of β-Ga2O3.

Science.gov (United States)

Dong, Linpeng; Jia, Renxu; Xin, Bin; Peng, Bo; Zhang, Yuming

2017-01-09

The structural, electronic, and optical properties of β-Ga 2 O 3 with oxygen vacancies are studied by employing first-principles calculations based on density function theory. Based on the defects formation energies, we conclude the oxygen vacancies are most stable in their fully charge states. The electronic structures and optical properties of β-Ga 2 O 3 are calculated by Generalized Gradient Approximation + U formalisms with the Hubbard U parameters set 7.0 eV and 8.5 eV for Ga and O ions, respectively. The calculated bandgap is 4.92 eV, which is consistent with the experimental value. The static real dielectric constants of the defective structures are increased compared with the intrinsic one, which is attributed to the level caused by the Ga-4s states in the bandgap. Extra peaks are introduced in the absorption spectra, which are related to Ga-4s and O-2p states. Experimentally, β-Ga 2 O 3 films are deposited under different O 2 volume percentage with ratio-frequency magnetron sputtering method. The measured results indicate that oxygen vacancies can induce extra emission peaks in the photoluminescence spectrum, the location of these peaks are close to the calculated results. Extra O 2 can increase the formation energies of oxygen vacancies and thus reduce oxygen vacancies in β-Ga 2 O 3 .

The Effect of Acceptor and Donor Doping on Oxygen Vacancy Concentrations in Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT).

Science.gov (United States)

Slouka, Christoph; Kainz, Theresa; Navickas, Edvinas; Walch, Gregor; Hutter, Herbert; Reichmann, Klaus; Fleig, Jürgen

2016-11-22

The different properties of acceptor-doped (hard) and donor-doped (soft) lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics are often attributed to different amounts of oxygen vacancies introduced by the dopant. Acceptor doping is believed to cause high oxygen vacancy concentrations, while donors are expected to strongly suppress their amount. In this study, La 3+ donor-doped, Fe 3+ acceptor-doped and La 3+ /Fe 3+ -co-doped PZT samples were investigated by oxygen tracer exchange and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in order to analyse the effect of doping on oxygen vacancy concentrations. Relative changes in the tracer diffusion coefficients for different doping and quantitative relations between defect concentrations allowed estimates of oxygen vacancy concentrations. Donor doping does not completely suppress the formation of oxygen vacancies; rather, it concentrates them in the grain boundary region. Acceptor doping enhances the amount of oxygen vacancies but estimates suggest that bulk concentrations are still in the ppm range, even for 1% acceptor doping. Trapped holes might thus considerably contribute to the charge balancing of the acceptor dopants. This could also be of relevance in understanding the properties of hard and soft PZT.

The Effect of Acceptor and Donor Doping on Oxygen Vacancy Concentrations in Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Christoph Slouka

2016-11-01

Full Text Available The different properties of acceptor-doped (hard and donor-doped (soft lead zirconate titanate (PZT ceramics are often attributed to different amounts of oxygen vacancies introduced by the dopant. Acceptor doping is believed to cause high oxygen vacancy concentrations, while donors are expected to strongly suppress their amount. In this study, La3+ donor-doped, Fe3+ acceptor-doped and La3+/Fe3+-co-doped PZT samples were investigated by oxygen tracer exchange and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in order to analyse the effect of doping on oxygen vacancy concentrations. Relative changes in the tracer diffusion coefficients for different doping and quantitative relations between defect concentrations allowed estimates of oxygen vacancy concentrations. Donor doping does not completely suppress the formation of oxygen vacancies; rather, it concentrates them in the grain boundary region. Acceptor doping enhances the amount of oxygen vacancies but estimates suggest that bulk concentrations are still in the ppm range, even for 1% acceptor doping. Trapped holes might thus considerably contribute to the charge balancing of the acceptor dopants. This could also be of relevance in understanding the properties of hard and soft PZT.

Strain-induced oxygen vacancies in ultrathin epitaxial CaMnO3 films

Science.gov (United States)

Chandrasena, Ravini; Yang, Weibing; Lei, Qingyu; Delgado-Jaime, Mario; de Groot, Frank; Arenholz, Elke; Kobayashi, Keisuke; Aschauer, Ulrich; Spaldin, Nicola; Xi, Xiaoxing; Gray, Alexander

Dynamic control of strain-induced ionic defects in transition-metal oxides is considered to be an exciting new avenue towards creating materials with novel electronic, magnetic and structural properties. Here we use atomic layer-by-layer laser molecular beam epitaxy to synthesize high-quality ultrathin single-crystalline CaMnO3 films with systematically varying coherent tensile strain. We then utilize a combination of high-resolution soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy and bulk-sensitive hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy in conjunction with first-principles theory and core-hole multiplet calculations to establish a direct link between the coherent in-plane strain and the oxygen-vacancy content. We show that the oxygen vacancies are highly mobile, which necessitates an in-situ-grown capping layer in order to preserve the original strain-induced oxygen-vacancy content. Our findings open the door for designing and controlling new ionically active properties in strongly-correlated transition-metal oxides.

Effects of hydration and oxygen vacancy on CO2 adsorption and activation on beta-Ga2O3(100).

Science.gov (United States)

Pan, Yun-xiang; Liu, Chang-jun; Mei, Donghai; Ge, Qingfeng

2010-04-20

The effects of hydration and oxygen vacancy on CO(2) adsorption on the beta-Ga(2)O(3)(100) surface have been studied using density functional theory slab calculations. Adsorbed CO(2) is activated on the dry perfect beta-Ga(2)O(3)(100) surface, resulting in a carbonate species. This adsorption is slightly endothermic, with an adsorption energy of 0.07 eV. Water is preferably adsorbed molecularly on the dry perfect beta-Ga(2)O(3)(100) surface with an adsorption energy of -0.56 eV, producing a hydrated perfect beta-Ga(2)O(3)(100) surface. Adsorption of CO(2) on the hydrated surface as a carbonate species is also endothermic, with an adsorption energy of 0.14 eV, indicating a slightly repulsive interaction when H(2)O and CO(2) are coadsorbed. The carbonate species on the hydrated perfect surface can be protonated by the coadsorbed H(2)O to a bicarbonate species, making the CO(2) adsorption exothermic, with an adsorption energy of -0.13 eV. The effect of defects on CO(2) adsorption and activation has been examined by creating an oxygen vacancy on the dry beta-Ga(2)O(3)(100) surface. The formation of an oxygen vacancy is endothermic, by 0.34 eV, with respect to a free O(2) molecule in the gas phase. Presence of the oxygen vacancy promoted the adsorption and activation of CO(2). In the most stable CO(2) adsorption configuration on the dry defective beta-Ga(2)O(3)(100) surface with an oxygen vacancy, one of the oxygen atoms of the adsorbed CO(2) occupies the oxygen vacancy site, and the CO(2) adsorption energy is -0.31 eV. Water favors dissociative adsorption at the oxygen vacancy site on the defective surface. This process is spontaneous, with a reaction energy of -0.62 eV. These results indicate that, when water and CO(2) are present in the adsorption system simultaneously, water will compete with CO(2) for the oxygen vacancy sites and impact CO(2) adsorption and conversion negatively.

Enhanced room temperature ferromagnetism in electrodeposited Co-doped ZnO nanostructured thin films by controlling the oxygen vacancy defects

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Simimol, A. [Nanomaterials Research Lab, Surface Engineering Division, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Post Bag No. 1779, Bangalore 560017 (India); Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut 673601 (India); Anappara, Aji A. [Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Calicut, Calicut 673601 (India); Greulich-Weber, S. [Department of Physics, Nanophotonic Materials, Faculty of Science, University of Paderborn, 33095 Paderborn (Germany); Chowdhury, Prasanta [Nanomaterials Research Lab, Surface Engineering Division, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, Post Bag No. 1779, Bangalore 560017 (India); Barshilia, Harish C., E-mail: harish@nal.res.in

2015-06-07

We report the growth of un-doped and cobalt doped ZnO nanostructures fabricated on FTO coated glass substrates using electrodeposition method. A detailed study on the effects of dopant concentration on morphology, structural, optical, and magnetic properties of the ZnO nanostructures has been carried out systematically by varying the Co concentration (c.{sub Co}) from 0.01 to 1 mM. For c.{sub Co }≤ 0.2 mM, h-wurtzite phase with no secondary phases of Co were present in the ZnO nanostructures. For c.{sub Co} ≤ 0.2 mM, the photoluminescence spectra exhibited a decrease in the intensity of ultraviolet emission as well as band-gap narrowing with an increase in dopant concentration. All the doped samples displayed a broad emission in the visible range and its intensity increased with an increase in Co concentration. It was found that the defect centers such as oxygen vacancies and zinc interstitials were the source of the visible emission. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies revealed, Co was primarily in the divalent state, replacing the Zn ion inside the tetrahedral crystal site of ZnO without forming any cluster or secondary phases of Co. The un-doped ZnO nanorods exhibited diamagnetic behavior and it remained up to a c.{sub Co} of 0.05 mM, while for c.{sub Co }> 0.05 mM, the ZnO nanostructures exhibited ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. The coercivity increased to 695 G for 0.2 mM Co-doped sample and then it decreased for c.{sub Co }> 0.2 mM. Our results illustrate that up to a threshold concentration of 0.2 mM, the strong ferromagnetism is due to the oxygen vacancy defects centers, which exist in the Co-doped ZnO nanostructures. The origin of strong ferromagnetism at room temperature in Co-doped ZnO nanostructures is attributed to the s-d exchange interaction between the localized spin moments resulting from the oxygen vacancies and d electrons of Co{sup 2+} ions. Our findings provide a new insight for tuning the

Anisotropic chemical strain in cubic ceria due to oxygen-vacancy-induced elastic dipoles.

Science.gov (United States)

Das, Tridip; Nicholas, Jason D; Sheldon, Brian W; Qi, Yue

2018-06-06

Accurate characterization of chemical strain is required to study a broad range of chemical-mechanical coupling phenomena. One of the most studied mechano-chemically active oxides, nonstoichiometric ceria (CeO2-δ), has only been described by a scalar chemical strain assuming isotropic deformation. However, combined density functional theory (DFT) calculations and elastic dipole tensor theory reveal that both the short-range bond distortions surrounding an oxygen-vacancy and the long-range chemical strain are anisotropic in cubic CeO2-δ. The origin of this anisotropy is the charge disproportionation between the four cerium atoms around each oxygen-vacancy (two become Ce3+ and two become Ce4+) when a neutral oxygen-vacancy is formed. Around the oxygen-vacancy, six of the Ce3+-O bonds elongate, one of the Ce3+-O bond shorten, and all seven of the Ce4+-O bonds shorten. Further, the average and maximum chemical strain values obtained through tensor analysis successfully bound the various experimental data. Lastly, the anisotropic, oxygen-vacancy-elastic-dipole induced chemical strain is polarizable, which provides a physical model for the giant electrostriction recently discovered in doped and non-doped CeO2-δ. Together, this work highlights the need to consider anisotropic tensors when calculating the chemical strain induced by dilute point defects in all materials, regardless of their symmetry.

Positron annihilation study of vacancy-type defects in fast-neutron-irradiated MgO·nAl2O3

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rahman, Abu Zayed Mohammad Saliqur; Li, Zhuoxin; Cao, Xingzhong; Wang, Baoyi; Wei, Long; Xu, Qiu; Atobe, Kozo

2014-01-01

Highlights: •Detection of Al monovacancy by positron lifetime spectroscopy in fast neutron-irradiated MgO·nAl 2 O 3 (n=2). •Concentration of defects is also estimated for Al monovacancy. •O atom peak was observed by using coincidence Doppler broadening spectroscopy. -- Abstract: The positron lifetimes of fast-neutron-irradiated MgO·nAl 2 O 3 single crystals were measured to investigate the formation of cation vacancies. Al monovacancy was possibly observed in samples irradiated by fast neutrons at ultra-low temperatures. Additionally, vacancy-oxygen complex centers were possibly observed in samples irradiated at higher temperatures and fast neutron fluences. Coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) spectra were measured to obtain information regarding the vicinity of vacancy-type defects. A peak at approximately 11 × 10 −3 m 0 c was observed, which may be due to the presence of oxygen atoms in the neighborhood of the vacancies

Vacancy defect and defect cluster energetics in ion-implanted ZnO

Science.gov (United States)

Dong, Yufeng; Tuomisto, F.; Svensson, B. G.; Kuznetsov, A. Yu.; Brillson, Leonard J.

2010-02-01

We have used depth-resolved cathodoluminescence, positron annihilation, and surface photovoltage spectroscopies to determine the energy levels of Zn vacancies and vacancy clusters in bulk ZnO crystals. Doppler broadening-measured transformation of Zn vacancies to vacancy clusters with annealing shifts defect energies significantly lower in the ZnO band gap. Zn and corresponding O vacancy-related depth distributions provide a consistent explanation of depth-dependent resistivity and carrier-concentration changes induced by ion implantation.

Modeling of the structure and properties of oxygen vacancies in amorphous silica

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mukhopadhyay, Sanghamitra; Sushko, Peter V.; Stoneham, A. Marshall; Shluger, Alexander L.

2004-01-01

We used an embedded cluster method to predict and characterize possible structural types of neutral and positively charged oxygen vacancies in amorphous silica. Defects were treated at 70 different oxygen sites of continuous random network amorphous structure generated using classical molecular dynamics. The neutral vacancies are characterized by a wide distribution of formation energies and structural parameters. Our modeling predicts the two major structural types of positively charged vacancies (E ' centers): dimer and dangling bond centers. The local structure of both types of centers depends on the medium range structure of the surrounding amorphous network. The majority of the dangling bond centers are unpuckered. We used structural 'fingerprints' derived from similar calculations of oxygen vacancy type centers in quartz and from experiment to find two other structural types of dangling bond centers: the puckered configuration and the back-projected configuration of E ' centers. In each case we find a distribution of both structural and EPR parameters. However, the average values of the EPR parameters for all dangling bond configurations are very similar. The structural criteria which favor the formation of different types of centers in the original amorphous structure are formulated in terms of the average Si-O distance of oxygen ion with its two neighboring silicon ions

Segregation and Migration of the Oxygen Vacancies in the 3 (111) Tilt Grain Boundaries of Ceria

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yuan, Fenglin [Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Liu, Bin [Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States); Zhang, Yanwen [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Weber, William J. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

2016-03-01

In nanocrystalline materials, defect-grain boundary (GB) interaction plays a key role in determining the structure stability, as well as size-dependent ionic, electronic, magnetic and chemical properties. In this study, we systematically investigated using density functional theory segregation and migration of oxygen vacancies at the Σ3 [110] / (111) grain boundary of ceria. Three oxygen layers near the GB are predicted to be segregation sites for oxygen vacancies. Moreover, the presence of oxygen vacancies stabilizes this tilt GB at a low Fermi level and/or oxygen poor conditions. An atomic strain model was proposed to rationalize layer dependency of the relaxation energy for +2 charged oxygen vacancy. The structural origin of large relaxation energies at layers 1 and 2 was determined to be free-volume space that induces ion relaxation towards the GB. Our results not only pave the way for improving the oxygen transport near GBs of ceria, but also provide important insights into engineering the GB structure for better ionic, magnetic and chemical properties of nanocrystalline ceria.

Deep vs shallow nature of oxygen vacancies and consequent n -type carrier concentrations in transparent conducting oxides

Science.gov (United States)

Buckeridge, J.; Catlow, C. R. A.; Farrow, M. R.; Logsdail, A. J.; Scanlon, D. O.; Keal, T. W.; Sherwood, P.; Woodley, S. M.; Sokol, A. A.; Walsh, A.

2018-05-01

The source of n -type conductivity in undoped transparent conducting oxides has been a topic of debate for several decades. The point defect of most interest in this respect is the oxygen vacancy, but there are many conflicting reports on the shallow versus deep nature of its related electronic states. Here, using a hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical embedded cluster approach, we have computed formation and ionization energies of oxygen vacancies in three representative transparent conducting oxides: In2O3 ,SnO2, and ZnO. We find that, in all three systems, oxygen vacancies form well-localized, compact donors. We demonstrate, however, that such compactness does not preclude the possibility of these states being shallow in nature, by considering the energetic balance between the vacancy binding electrons that are in localized orbitals or in effective-mass-like diffuse orbitals. Our results show that, thermodynamically, oxygen vacancies in bulk In2O3 introduce states above the conduction band minimum that contribute significantly to the observed conductivity properties of undoped samples. For ZnO and SnO2, the states are deep, and our calculated ionization energies agree well with thermochemical and optical experiments. Our computed equilibrium defect and carrier concentrations, however, demonstrate that these deep states may nevertheless lead to significant intrinsic n -type conductivity under reducing conditions at elevated temperatures. Our study indicates the importance of oxygen vacancies in relation to intrinsic carrier concentrations not only in In2O3 , but also in SnO2 and ZnO.

The interplay between dopants and oxygen vacancies in the magnetism of V-doped TiO2

KAUST Repository

Grau-Crespo, Ricardo

2011-08-03

Density functional theory calculations indicate that the incorporation of V into Ti lattice positions of rutile TiO2 leads to magnetic V 4 + species, but the extension and sign of the coupling between dopant moments confirm that ferromagnetic order cannot be reached via low-concentration doping in the non-defective oxide. Oxygen vacancies can introduce additional magnetic centres, and we show here that one of the effects of vanadium doping is to reduce the formation energies of these defects. In the presence of both V dopants and O vacancies all the spins tend to align with the same orientation. We conclude that V doping favours the ferromagnetic behaviour of TiO2 not only by introducing spins associated with the dopant centres but also by increasing the concentration of oxygen vacancies with respect to the pure oxide. © 2001 IOP Publishing Ltd.

The interplay between dopants and oxygen vacancies in the magnetism of V-doped TiO2

KAUST Repository

Grau-Crespo, Ricardo; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo

2011-01-01

Density functional theory calculations indicate that the incorporation of V into Ti lattice positions of rutile TiO2 leads to magnetic V 4 + species, but the extension and sign of the coupling between dopant moments confirm that ferromagnetic order cannot be reached via low-concentration doping in the non-defective oxide. Oxygen vacancies can introduce additional magnetic centres, and we show here that one of the effects of vanadium doping is to reduce the formation energies of these defects. In the presence of both V dopants and O vacancies all the spins tend to align with the same orientation. We conclude that V doping favours the ferromagnetic behaviour of TiO2 not only by introducing spins associated with the dopant centres but also by increasing the concentration of oxygen vacancies with respect to the pure oxide. © 2001 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Oxygen Vacancies versus Fluorine at CeO 2 (111) : A Case of Mistaken Identity?

NARCIS (Netherlands)

Kullgren, J.; Wolf, M.J.; Castleton, C.W.M.; Mitev, P.; Briels, Willem J.; Hermansson, K.

2014-01-01

We propose a resolution to the puzzle presented by the surface defects observed with STM at the (111) surface facet of CeO 2 single crystals. In the seminal paper of Esch et al. [Science 309, 752 (2005)] they were identified with oxygen vacancies, but the observed behavior of these defects is

Positron annihilation study of vacancy-type defects in fast-neutron-irradiated MgO·nAl2O3

Science.gov (United States)

Rahman, Abu Zayed Mohammad Saliqur; Li, Zhuoxin; Cao, Xingzhong; Wang, Baoyi; Wei, Long; Xu, Qiu; Atobe, Kozo

2014-09-01

The positron lifetimes of fast-neutron-irradiated MgO·nAl2O3 single crystals were measured to investigate the formation of cation vacancies. Al monovacancy was possibly observed in samples irradiated by fast neutrons at ultra-low temperatures. Additionally, vacancy-oxygen complex centers were possibly observed in samples irradiated at higher temperatures and fast neutron fluences. Coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) spectra were measured to obtain information regarding the vicinity of vacancy-type defects. A peak at approximately 11 × 10-3 m0c was observed, which may be due to the presence of oxygen atoms in the neighborhood of the vacancies.

Insight into the effect of screw dislocations and oxygen vacancy defects on the optical nonlinear refraction response in chemically grown ZnO/Al2O3 films

Science.gov (United States)

Agrawal, Arpana; Saroj, Rajendra K.; Dar, Tanveer A.; Baraskar, Priyanka; Sen, Pratima; Dhar, Subhabrata

2017-11-01

We report the effect of screw dislocations and oxygen vacancy defects on the optical nonlinear refraction response of ZnO films grown on a sapphire substrate at various oxygen flow rates using the chemical vapor deposition technique. The nonlinear refraction response was investigated in the off-resonant regime using a CW He-Ne laser source to examine the role of the intermediate bandgap states. It has been observed that the structural defects strongly influence the optical nonlinearity in the off-resonant regime. Nonlinearity has been found to improve as the oxygen flow rate is lowered from 2 sccm to 0.3 sccm. From photoluminescence studies, we observe that the enhanced defect density of the electronic defect levels due to the increased concentration of structural defects (with the decrease in the oxygen flow rate) is responsible for this improved optical nonlinearity along with the thermal effect. This suggests that defect engineering is an effective way to tailor the nonlinearity of ZnO films and their utility for optoelectronic device applications.

Contributions of oxygen vacancies and titanium interstitials to band-gap states of reduced titania

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Jingfeng; Lazzari, Rémi; Chenot, Stéphane; Jupille, Jacques

2018-01-01

The spectroscopic fingerprints of the point defects of titanium dioxide remain highly controversial. Seemingly indisputable experiments lead to conflicting conclusions in which oxygen vacancies and titanium interstitials are alternately referred to as the primary origin of the Ti 3 d band-gap states. We report on experiments performed by electron energy loss spectroscopy whose key is the direct annealing of only the very surface of rutile TiO2(110 ) crystals and the simultaneous measurement of its temperature via the Bose-Einstein loss/gain ratio. By surface preparations involving reactions with oxygen and water vapor, in particular, under electron irradiation, vacancy- and interstitial-related band-gap states are singled out. Off-specular measurements reveal that both types of defects contribute to a unique charge distribution that peaks in subsurface layers with a common dispersive behavior.

Oxygen vacancy chain and conductive filament formation in hafnia

Science.gov (United States)

Xue, Kan-Hao; Miao, Xiang-Shui

2018-04-01

The stability and aggregation mechanisms of oxygen vacancy chains are studied for hafnia using self-energy corrected density functional theory. While oxygen vacancies tend not to align along the c-axis of monoclinic HfO2, oxygen vacancy chains along a-axis and b-axis are energetically favorable, with cohesive energies of 0.05 eV and 0.03 eV per vacancy, respectively. Nevertheless, with an increase of the cross section area, intensive oxygen vacancy chains become much more stable in hafnia, which yields phase separation into Hf-clusters and HfO2. Compared with disperse single vacancy chains, intensive oxygen vacancy chains made of 4, 6, and 8 single vacancy chains are energetically more favorable by 0.17, 0.20, and 0.30 eV per oxygen vacancy, respectively. On the other hand, while a single oxygen vacancy chain exhibits a tiny electronic energy gap of around 0.5 eV, metallic conduction emerges for the intensive vacancy chain made of 8 single vacancy chains, which possesses a filament cross section area of ˜0.4 nm2. This sets a lower area limit for Hf-cluster filaments from metallic conduction point of view, but in real hafnia resistive RAM devices the cross section area of the filaments can generally be much larger (>5 nm2) for the sake of energy minimization. Our work sets up a bridge between oxygen vacancy ordering and phase separation in hafnia, and shows a clear trend of filament stabilization with larger dimensions. The results could explain the threshold switching phenomenon in hafnia when a small AFM tip was used as the top electrode, as well as the undesired multimode operation in resistive RAM cells with 3 nm-thick hafnia.

Controlled manipulation of oxygen vacancies using nanoscale flexoelectricity

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Das, Saikat [Inst. for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Center for Correlated Electron Systems; Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy; Wang, Bo [Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States).Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering; Cao, Ye [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Inst. for; Rae Cho, Myung [Inst. for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Center for Correlated Electron Systems; Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy; Jae Shin, Yeong [Inst. for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Center for Correlated Electron Systems; Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy; Mo Yang, Sang [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS); Sookmyung Women' s Univ., Seoul (Republic of Korea). Dept. of Physics; Wang, Lingfei [Inst. for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Center for Correlated Electron Systems; Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy; Kim, Minu [Inst. for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Center for Correlated Electron Systems; Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy; Kalinin, Sergei V. [Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS); Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Inst. for Functional Imaging of Materials; Chen, Long-Qing [Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park, PA (United States).Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering; Noh, Tae Won [Inst. for Basic Science (IBS), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Center for Correlated Electron Systems; Seoul National University (SNU), Seoul (Republic of Korea). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy

2017-09-20

Oxygen vacancies, especially their distribution, are directly coupled to the electromagnetic properties of oxides and related emergent functionalities that have implications for device applications. Here using a homoepitaxial strontium titanate thin film, we demonstrate a controlled manipulation of the oxygen vacancy distribution using the mechanical force from a scanning probe microscope tip. By combining Kelvin probe force microscopy imaging and phase-field simulations, we show that oxygen vacancies can move under a stress-gradient-induced depolarisation field. When tailored, this nanoscale flexoelectric effect enables a controlled spatial modulation. In motion, the scanning probe tip thereby deterministically reconfigures the spatial distribution of vacancies. Finally, the ability to locally manipulate oxygen vacancies on-demand provides a tool for the exploration of mesoscale quantum phenomena and engineering multifunctional oxide devices.

Fracture of vacancy-defected carbon nanotubes and their embedded nanocomposites

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Xiao Shaoping; Hou Wenyi

2006-01-01

In this paper, we investigate effects of vacancy defects on fracture of carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube/aluminum composites. Our studies show that even a one-atom vacancy defect can dramatically reduce the failure stresses and strains of carbon nanotubes. Consequently, nanocomposites, in which vacancy-defected nanotubes are embedded, exhibit different characteristics from those in which pristine nanotubes are embedded. It has been found that defected nanotubes with a small volume fraction cannot reinforce but instead weaken nanocomposite materials. Although a large volume fraction of defected nanotubes can slightly increase the failure stresses of nanocomposites, the failure strains of nanocomposites are always decreased

Thermodynamic, electronic, and magnetic properties of intrinsic vacancy defects in antiperovskite Ca3SnO

Science.gov (United States)

Batool, Javaria; Alay-e-Abbas, Syed Muhammad; Amin, Nasir

2018-04-01

The density functional theory based total energy calculations are performed to examine the effect of charge neutral and fully charged intrinsic vacancy defects on the thermodynamic, electronic, and magnetic properties of Ca3SnO antiperovskite. The chemical stability of Ca3SnO is evaluated with respect to binary compounds CaO, CaSn, and Ca2Sn, and the limits of atomic chemical potentials of Ca, Sn, and O atoms for stable synthesis of Ca3SnO are determined within the generalized gradient approximation parametrization scheme. The electronic properties of the pristine and the non-stoichiometric forms of this compound have been explored and the influence of isolated intrinsic vacancy defects (Ca, Sn, and O) on the structural, bonding, and electronic properties of non-stoichiometric Ca3SnO are analyzed. We also predict the possibility of achieving stable ferromagnetism in non-stoichiometric Ca3SnO by means of charge neutral tin vacancies. From the calculated total energies and the valid ranges of atomic chemical potentials, the formation energetics of intrinsic vacancy defects in Ca3SnO are evaluated for various growth conditions. Our results indicate that the fully charged calcium vacancies are thermodynamically stable under the permissible Sn-rich condition of stable synthesis of Ca3SnO, while tin and oxygen vacancies are found to be stable under the extreme Ca-rich condition.

Probing of O2 vacancy defects and correlated magnetic, electrical and photoresponse properties in indium-tin oxide nanostructures by spectroscopic techniques

Science.gov (United States)

Ghosh, Shyamsundar; Dev, Bhupendra Nath

2018-05-01

Indium-tin oxide (ITO) 1D nanostructures with tunable morphologies i.e. nanorods, nanocombs and nanowires are grown on c-axis (0 0 0 1) sapphire (Al2O3) substrate in oxygen deficient atmosphere through pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique and the effect of oxygen vacancies on optical, electrical, magnetic and photoresponse properties is investigated using spectroscopic methods. ITO nanostructures are found to be enriched with significant oxygen vacancy defects as evident from X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopic analysis. Photoluminescence spectra exhibited intense mid-band blue emission at wavelength of region of 400-450 nm due to the electronic transition from conduction band maxima (CBM) to the singly ionized oxygen-vacancy (VO+) defect level within the band-gap. Interestingly, ITO nanostructures exhibited significant room-temperature ferromagnetism (RTFM) and the magnetic moment found proportional to concentration of VO+ defects which indicates VO+ defects are mainly responsible for the observed RTFM in nanostructures. ITO nanowires being enriched with more VO+ defects exhibited strongest RTFM as compared to other morphologies. Current voltage (I-V) characteristics of ITO nanostructures showed an enhancement of current under UV light as compared to dark which indicates such 1D nanostructure can be used as photovoltaic material. Hence, the study shows that there is ample opportunity to tailor the properties of ITOs through proper defect engineering's and such photosensitive ferromagnetic semiconductors might be promising for spintronic and photovoltaic applications.

Density functional study the interaction of oxygen molecule with defect sites of graphene

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Qi Xuejun [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, Wuhan 430074 (China); Guo Xin, E-mail: guoxin@mail.hust.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, Wuhan 430074 (China); Zheng Chuguang [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, Wuhan 430074 (China)

2012-10-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The defect sites existed on the graphite surface create active sites and enhance the reactivity of carbonaceous material. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Oxygen molecule more favor chemisorbed on the graphene surface contains defect sites than the perfect surface. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The single active oxygen atom adsorbed on the defect surfaces, it completely insert into the surface. - Abstract: The present article reports a theoretical study of oxygen interacted with graphene surface containing defect sites on the atomic level by employing the density functional theory combined with the graphene cluster model. It was founded that oxygen molecule prefers to be chemisorbed on the graphene surface containing defect sites compared to the perfect surface. The adsorption energy of O{sub 2} on the double defect site is about 2.5 times as large as that on the perfect graphene surface. Moreover, the oxygen molecule interacts with S-W defect site gives rise to stable epoxy structure, which pulling the carbon atom outward from the original site in the direction perpendicular to the surface. If the oxygen molecule is adsorbed on the single vacancy site, two C-O bonds are formed on the graphene surface. However, when the oxygen molecule is chemisorbed on the double vacancy site, the oxygen atoms substitute the missing carbon atom's position in the carbon plane and form a hexagonal structure on the graphene network. The results indicate that single active oxygen atom approaches the defect site, it's completely adsorbed in the plane and high energy is released. In all cases, the interaction of an oxygen atom with defect surface involves an exothermic process. The defect site creates active sites on the surface of graphene and produces catalytic effects during the process of oxidation of carbonaceous materials.

Positron annihilation study of vacancy-type defects in fast-neutron-irradiated MgO·nAl{sub 2}O{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Rahman, Abu Zayed Mohammad Saliqur, E-mail: zayed82000@yahoo.com [Key Laboratory of Nuclear Analytical Techniques, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19B Yuquanlu Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049 (China); Li, Zhuoxin; Cao, Xingzhong; Wang, Baoyi; Wei, Long [Key Laboratory of Nuclear Analytical Techniques, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19B Yuquanlu Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049 (China); Xu, Qiu [Reactor Research Institute, Kyoto University 2, Asashiro-Nishi, Kumatori-cho, Sennan-gun, Osaka 590-0494 (Japan); Atobe, Kozo [Nuclear Safety Technology Center, 9-15, 1-chome, Utsubohonmachi, Nishi Ku, Osaka 550-0004 (Japan)

2014-09-15

Highlights: •Detection of Al monovacancy by positron lifetime spectroscopy in fast neutron-irradiated MgO·nAl{sub 2}O{sub 3}(n=2). •Concentration of defects is also estimated for Al monovacancy. •O atom peak was observed by using coincidence Doppler broadening spectroscopy. -- Abstract: The positron lifetimes of fast-neutron-irradiated MgO·nAl{sub 2}O{sub 3} single crystals were measured to investigate the formation of cation vacancies. Al monovacancy was possibly observed in samples irradiated by fast neutrons at ultra-low temperatures. Additionally, vacancy-oxygen complex centers were possibly observed in samples irradiated at higher temperatures and fast neutron fluences. Coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) spectra were measured to obtain information regarding the vicinity of vacancy-type defects. A peak at approximately 11 × 10{sup −3} m{sub 0}c was observed, which may be due to the presence of oxygen atoms in the neighborhood of the vacancies.

First-principles simulations of the leakage current in metal-oxide-semiconductor structures caused by oxygen vacancies in HfO2 high-K gate dielectric

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mao, L.F.; Wang, Z.O.

2008-01-01

HfO 2 high-K gate dielectric has been used as a new gate dielectric in metal-oxide-semiconductor structures. First-principles simulations are used to study the effects of oxygen vacancies on the tunneling current through the oxide. A level which is nearly 1.25 eV from the bottom of the conduction band is introduced into the bandgap due to the oxygen vacancies. The tunneling current calculations show that the tunneling currents through the gate oxide with different defect density possess the typical characteristic of stress-induced leakage current. Further analysis shows that the location of oxygen vacancies will have a marked effect on the tunneling current. The largest increase in the tunneling current caused by oxygen vacancies comes about at the middle oxide field when defects are located at the middle of the oxide. (copyright 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Ab initio atomic thermodynamics investigation on oxygen defects in the anatase TiO{sub 2}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cheng, Zhijun [College of Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093 (China); Liu, Tingyu, E-mail: liutyyxj@163.com [College of Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093 (China); Yang, Chenxing; Gan, Haixiu [College of Science, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093 (China); Chen, Jianyu [Key Laboratory of Materials for High Power Laser, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201800 (China); Zhang, Feiwu [Nanochemistry Research Institute, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA 6845 (Australia)

2013-01-05

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Three typical oxygen defects under the different annealing conditions have been studied. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The oxygen vacancy is easier to form at the surface than in the bulk. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The adsorption of O{sub 2} whose orientation is parallel to the surface should be more favorable. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The reduction reaction may firstly undertake at the surface during the annealing treatment. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The interstitial oxygen has important contribution to lead to the reduction of the band gap. - Abstract: In the framework of the ab initio atomic thermodynamics, the preliminary analysis of the oxygen defects in anatase TiO{sub 2} has been done by investigating the influence of the annealing treatment under representative conditions on three typical oxygen defects, that is, oxygen vacancy, oxygen adsorption and oxygen interstitial. Our results in this study agree well with the related experimental results. The molecular species of the adsorbed O{sub 2} is subject to the ratio of the number of the O{sub 2} to that of the vacancy, as well as to the initial orientation of O{sub 2} relative to the surface (101). Whatever the annealing condition is, the oxygen vacancy is easier to form at the surface than in the bulk indicating that the reduction reaction may firstly undertake at the surface during the annealing treatment, which is consistent with the phase transformation experiments. The molecular ion, peroxide species, caused by the interstitial oxygen has important contribution to the top of the valence band and lead to the reduction of the band gap.

In Situ Observation of Oxygen Vacancy Dynamics and Ordering in the Epitaxial LaCoO3 System.

Science.gov (United States)

Jang, Jae Hyuck; Kim, Young-Min; He, Qian; Mishra, Rohan; Qiao, Liang; Biegalski, Michael D; Lupini, Andrew R; Pantelides, Sokrates T; Pennycook, Stephen J; Kalinin, Sergei V; Borisevich, Albina Y

2017-07-25

Vacancy dynamics and ordering underpin the electrochemical functionality of complex oxides and strongly couple to their physical properties. In the field of the epitaxial thin films, where connection between chemistry and film properties can be most clearly revealed, the effects related to oxygen vacancies are attracting increasing attention. In this article, we report a direct, real-time, atomic level observation of the formation of oxygen vacancies in the epitaxial LaCoO 3 thin films and heterostructures under the influence of the electron beam utilizing scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). In the case of LaCoO 3 /SrTiO 3 superlattice, the formation of the oxygen vacancies is shown to produce quantifiable changes in the interatomic distances, as well as qualitative changes in the symmetry of the Co sites manifested as off-center displacements. The onset of these changes was observed in both the [100] pc and [110] pc orientations in real time. Additionally, annular bright field images directly show the formation of oxygen vacancy channels along [110]pc direction. In the case of 15 u.c. LaCoO 3 thin film, we observe the sequence of events during beam-induced formation of oxygen vacancy ordered phases and find them consistent with similar processes in the bulk. Moreover, we record the dynamics of the nucleation, growth, and defect interaction at the atomic scale as these transformations happen. These results demonstrate that we can track dynamic oxygen vacancy behavior with STEM, generating atomic-level quantitative information on phase transformation and oxygen diffusion.

Periodic density functional theory study of ethylene hydrogenation over Co3O4 (1 1 1) surface: The critical role of oxygen vacancies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lu, Jinhui; Song, JiaJia; Niu, Hongling; Pan, Lun; Zhang, Xiangwen; Wang, Li; Zou, Ji-Jun

2016-01-01

Highlights: • H 2 dissociates in heterolytic way following H atoms migration to form O−H bond. • H 2 dissociation occurs at low temperature on perfect and oxygen defective Co 3 O 4 . • Oxygen vacancy promotes hydrogenation thermodynamically and kinetically. • O−H bond is weakened on oxygen defective surface. • Hydrogenation requires compromise between H−H activation and O−H breakage. - Abstract: Recently, metal oxides are attracting increasing interests as hydrogenation catalyst. Herein we studied the hydrogenation of ethylene on perfect and oxygen defective Co 3 O 4 (1 1 1) using periodic density functional theory. The energetics and pathways of ethylene hydrogenation to ethane were determined. We have demonstrated that (i) H 2 dissociation on Co 3 O 4 is a complicated two-step process through a heterolytic cleavage, followed by the migration of H atom and finally yields the homolytic product on both perfect and oxygen defective Co 3 O 4 (1 1 1) surfaces easily. (ii) After introducing the surface oxygen vacancy, the stepwise hydrogenation of ethylene by atomic hydrogen is much easier than that on perfect surface due to the weaker bond strength of OH group. The strength of O−H bond is a crucial factor for the hydrogenation reaction which involves the breakage of O−H bond. The formation of oxygen vacancy increases the electronic charges at the adjacent surface O, which reduces its capability of further gaining electrons from adsorbed atomic hydrogen and then weakens the strength of O−H bond. These results emphasize the importance of the oxygen vacancies for hydrogenation on metal oxides.

Interaction of light with the ZnO surface: Photon induced oxygen “breathing,” oxygen vacancies, persistent photoconductivity, and persistent photovoltage

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gurwitz, Ron; Cohen, Rotem; Shalish, Ilan

2014-01-01

ZnO surfaces adsorb oxygen in the dark and emit CO 2 when exposed to white light, reminiscent of the lungs of living creatures. We find that this exchange of oxygen with the ambient affects the integrity of the ZnO surface. Thus, it forms a basis for several interesting surface phenomena in ZnO, such as photoconductivity, photovoltage, and gas sensing, and has a role in ZnO electrical conduction. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on ZnO nanowires, we observed a decomposition of ZnO under white light and formation of oxygen-depleted surface, which explains photoconductivity by the electron donation of oxygen vacancies. Our findings suggest that the observed decomposition of the ZnO lattice may only take place due to photon-induced reduction of ZnO by carbon containing molecules (or carbo-photonic reduction), possibly from the ambient gas, accounting in a consistent way for both the reduced demands on the energy required for decomposition and for the observed emission of lattice oxygen in the form of CO 2 . The formation of oxygen-vacancy rich surface is suggested to induce surface delta doping, causing accumulation of electrons at the surface, which accounts for both the increase in conductivity and the flattening of the energy bands. Using surface photovoltage spectroscopy in ultra high vacuum, we monitored changes in the deep level spectrum. We observe a wide optical transition from a deep acceptor to the conduction band, which energy position coincides with the position of the so called “green luminescence” in ZnO. This green transition disappears with the formation of surface oxygen vacancies. Since the oxygen vacancies are donors, while the green transition involves surface acceptors, the results suggest that the initial emission of oxygen originates at the defect sites of the latter, thereby eliminating each other. This suggests that the green transition originates at surface Zn vacancy acceptors. Removing an oxygen atom from a Zn vacancy completes

Interaction of light with the ZnO surface: Photon induced oxygen “breathing,” oxygen vacancies, persistent photoconductivity, and persistent photovoltage

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gurwitz, Ron; Cohen, Rotem; Shalish, Ilan, E-mail: shalish@ee.bgu.ac.il [Ben Gurion University, Beer Sheva 84105 (Israel)

2014-01-21

ZnO surfaces adsorb oxygen in the dark and emit CO{sub 2} when exposed to white light, reminiscent of the lungs of living creatures. We find that this exchange of oxygen with the ambient affects the integrity of the ZnO surface. Thus, it forms a basis for several interesting surface phenomena in ZnO, such as photoconductivity, photovoltage, and gas sensing, and has a role in ZnO electrical conduction. Using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on ZnO nanowires, we observed a decomposition of ZnO under white light and formation of oxygen-depleted surface, which explains photoconductivity by the electron donation of oxygen vacancies. Our findings suggest that the observed decomposition of the ZnO lattice may only take place due to photon-induced reduction of ZnO by carbon containing molecules (or carbo-photonic reduction), possibly from the ambient gas, accounting in a consistent way for both the reduced demands on the energy required for decomposition and for the observed emission of lattice oxygen in the form of CO{sub 2}. The formation of oxygen-vacancy rich surface is suggested to induce surface delta doping, causing accumulation of electrons at the surface, which accounts for both the increase in conductivity and the flattening of the energy bands. Using surface photovoltage spectroscopy in ultra high vacuum, we monitored changes in the deep level spectrum. We observe a wide optical transition from a deep acceptor to the conduction band, which energy position coincides with the position of the so called “green luminescence” in ZnO. This green transition disappears with the formation of surface oxygen vacancies. Since the oxygen vacancies are donors, while the green transition involves surface acceptors, the results suggest that the initial emission of oxygen originates at the defect sites of the latter, thereby eliminating each other. This suggests that the green transition originates at surface Zn vacancy acceptors. Removing an oxygen atom from a Zn vacancy

Quantum transport in defective phosphorene nanoribbons: Effects of atomic vacancies

Science.gov (United States)

Li, L. L.; Peeters, F. M.

2018-02-01

Defects are almost inevitably present in realistic materials and defective materials are expected to exhibit very different properties than their nondefective (perfect) counterparts. Here, using a combination of the tight-binding approach and the scattering matrix formalism, we investigate the electronic transport properties of defective phosphorene nanoribbons (PNRs) containing atomic vacancies. We find that for both armchair PNRs (APNRs) and zigzag PNRs (ZPNRs), single vacancies can create quasilocalized states, which can affect their conductance. With increasing vacancy concentration, three different transport regimes are identified: ballistic, diffusive, and Anderson localized ones. In particular, ZPNRs that are known to be metallic due to the presence of edge states become semiconducting: edge conductance vanishes and transport gap appears due to Anderson localization. Moreover, we find that for a fixed vacancy concentration, both APNRs and ZPNRs of narrower width and/or longer length are more sensitive to vacancy disorder than their wider and/or shorter counterparts, and that for the same ribbon length and width, ZPNRs are more sensitive to vacancy disorder than APNRs.

Oxygen vacancy induced by La and Fe into ZnO nanoparticles to modify ferromagnetic ordering

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Verma, Kuldeep Chand; Kotnala, R.K.

2016-01-01

We reported long-range ferromagnetic interactions in La doped Zn 0.95 Fe 0.05 O nanoparticles that mediated through lattice defects or vacancies. Zn 0.92 Fe 0.05 La 0.03 O (ZFLaO53) nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol–gel process. X-ray fluorescence spectrum of ZFLaO53 detects the weight percentage of Zn, Fe, La and O. X-ray diffraction shows the hexagonal Wurtzite ZnO phase. The Rietveld refinement has been used to calculate the lattice parameters and the position of Zn, Fe, La and O atoms in the Wurtzite unit cell. The average size of ZFLaO53 nanoparticles is 99 nm. The agglomeration type product due to OH ions with La results into ZnO nanoparticles than nanorods that found in pure ZnO and Zn 0.95 Fe 0.05 O sample. The effect of doping concentration to induce Wurtzite ZnO structure and lattice defects has been analyzed by Raman active vibrational modes. Photoluminescence spectra show an abnormal emission in both UV and visible region, and a blue shift at near band edge is formed with doping. The room temperature magnetic measurement result into weak ferromagnetism but pure ZnO is diamagnetic. However, the temperature dependent magnetic measurement using zero-field and field cooling at dc magnetizing field 500 Oe induces long-range ferromagnetic ordering. It results into antiferromagnetic Neel temperature of ZFLaO53 at around 42 K. The magnetic hysteresis is also measured at 200, 100, 50 and 10 K measurement that indicate enhancement in ferromagnetism at low temperature. Overall, the La doping into Zn 0.95 Fe 0.05 O results into enhanced antiferromagnetic interaction as well as lattice defects/vacancies. The role of the oxygen vacancy as the dominant defects in doped ZnO must form Bound magnetic polarons has been described. - Graphical abstract: The long-range ferromagnetic order in Zn 0.92 Fe 0.05 La 0.03 O nanoparticles at low temperature measurements involves oxygen vacancy as the medium of magnetic interactions. - Highlights: • The La and Fe doping

Tracking Oxygen Vacancies in Thin Film SOFC Cathodes

Science.gov (United States)

Leonard, Donovan; Kumar, Amit; Jesse, Stephen; Kalinin, Sergei; Shao-Horn, Yang; Crumlin, Ethan; Mutoro, Eva; Biegalski, Michael; Christen, Hans; Pennycook, Stephen; Borisevich, Albina

2011-03-01

Oxygen vacancies have been proposed to control the rate of the oxygen reduction reaction and ionic transport in complex oxides used as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathodes [1,2]. In this study oxygen vacancies were tracked, both dynamically and statically, with the combined use of scanned probe microscopy (SPM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Epitaxial films of La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Co O3 (L SC113) and L SC113 / LaSrCo O4 (L SC214) on a GDC/YSZ substrate were studied, where the latter showed increased electrocatalytic activity at moderate temperature. At atomic resolution, high angle annular dark field STEM micrographs revealed vacancy ordering in L SC113 as evidenced by lattice parameter modulation and EELS studies. The evolution of oxygen vacancy concentration and ordering with applied bias and the effects of bias cycling on the SOFC cathode performance will be discussed. Research is sponsored by the of Materials Sciences and Engineering Division, U.S. DOE.

Molecular dynamics simulations of ferroelectric domain formation by oxygen vacancy

Science.gov (United States)

Zhu, Lin; You, Jeong Ho; Chen, Jinghong; Yeo, Changdong

2018-05-01

An oxygen vacancy, known to be detrimental to ferroelectric properties, has been investigated numerically for the potential uses to control ferroelectric domains in films using molecular dynamics simulations based on the first-principles effective Hamiltonian. As an electron donor, an oxygen vacancy generates inhomogeneous electrostatic and displacement fields which impose preferred polarization directions near the oxygen vacancy. When the oxygen vacancies are placed at the top and bottom interfaces, the out-of-plane polarizations are locally developed near the interfaces in the directions away from the interfaces. These polarizations from the interfaces are in opposite directions so that the overall out-of-plane polarization becomes significantly reduced. In the middle of the films, the in-plane domains are formed with containing 90° a 1/a 2 domain walls and the films are polarized along the [1 1 0] direction even when no electric field is applied. With oxygen vacancies placed at the top interface only, the films exhibit asymmetric hysteresis loops, confirming that the oxygen vacancies are one of the possible sources of ferroelectric imprint. It has been qualitatively demonstrated that the domain structures in the imprint films can be turned on and off by controlling an external field along the thickness direction. This study shows qualitatively that the oxygen vacancies can be utilized for tuning ferroelectric domain structures in films.

Unraveling the facet-dependent and oxygen vacancy role for ethylene hydrogenation on Co_3O_4 (110) surface: A DFT+U study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang, Yong-Chao; Pan, Lun; Lu, Jinhui; Song, Jiajia; Li, Zheng; Zhang, Xiangwen; Wang, Li; Zou, Ji-Jun

2017-01-01

Highlights: • The mechanism of ethylene hydrogenation on perfect and oxygen defective Co_3O_4(110) is investigated by using DFT + U. • Oxygen vacancy promotes ethylene hydrogenation thermodynamically and kinetically. • The Co3O4 (110) facet is more active than the (111) one for ethylene hydrogenation. - Abstract: Crystal facet engineering and defect engineering are both critical strategies to improve the catalytic hydrogenation performance of catalyst. Herein, ethylene hydrogenation on the perfect and oxygen defective Co_3O_4(110) surfaces has been studied by using periodic density functional theory calculations. The results are compared with that on Co_3O_4(111) surface to clarify the problem of which facet for Co_3O_4 is more reactive, and to illuminate the role of oxygen vacancy. The low oxygen vacancy formation energy suggests that Co_3O_4(110) surface with defective site is easily formed. The whole mechanism of H_2 dissociation and stepwise hydrogenation of ethylene to ethane is examined, and the most favorable pathway is heterolytic dissociation of H_2 follows two stepwise hydrogenation of ethylene process. The results show that ethyl hydrogenation to ethane on perfect Co_3O_4(110) surface is the rate limiting step with an activation energy of 1.19 eV, and the presence of oxygen vacancy strongly reduces the activation energies of main elementary steps, and the activation energy of rate limiting step is only 0.47 eV. Compared with that on Co_3O_4(111), ethylene hydrogenation is preferred on Co_3O_4(110) surface. Therefore, Co_3O_4 with exposed (110) facet is predicted as an excellent catalyst for ethylene hydrogenation.

Defect engineering of ZnO

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Weber, M.H. [Center for Materials Research and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2711 (United States)], E-mail: m_weber@wsu.edu; Selim, F.A.; Solodovnikov, D.; Lynn, K.G. [Center for Materials Research and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2711 (United States)

2008-10-31

The defect responsible for the transparent to red color change of nominally undoped ZnO bulk single crystals is investigated. Upon annealing in the presence of metallic Zn as reported by Halliburton et al. and also Ti and Zr a native defect forms with an energy level about 0.7 eV below the conduction band. This change is reversible upon annealing in oxygen. Optical transmission data along with positron depth profiles and annealing studies are combined to identify the defect as oxygen vacancies. Vacancy clustering occurs at about 500 deg. C if isolated zinc and oxygen vacancies. In the absence of zinc vacancies, clusters form at about 800 deg. C.

Defect engineering of ZnO

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Weber, M.H.; Selim, F.A.; Solodovnikov, D.; Lynn, K.G.

2008-01-01

The defect responsible for the transparent to red color change of nominally undoped ZnO bulk single crystals is investigated. Upon annealing in the presence of metallic Zn as reported by Halliburton et al. and also Ti and Zr a native defect forms with an energy level about 0.7 eV below the conduction band. This change is reversible upon annealing in oxygen. Optical transmission data along with positron depth profiles and annealing studies are combined to identify the defect as oxygen vacancies. Vacancy clustering occurs at about 500 deg. C if isolated zinc and oxygen vacancies. In the absence of zinc vacancies, clusters form at about 800 deg. C

Oxygen nonstoichiometry and defects in Mn-doped Gd2Ti2O7+x

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Porat, O.; Tuller, H.L.

1996-01-01

The oxygen nonstoichiometry in Mn-doped Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 , Gd 2 (Ti 0.975 Mn 0.025 ) 2 O 7+x , was measured electrochemically, as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure, with the aid of an oxygen titration cell. The analysis of the data shows that the defect equilibrium can be described by considering the dominant point defects to be neutral oxygen interstitials, doubly charged oxygen vacancies, and trivalent and quadrivalent Mn ions substituted in the Ti sites. The enthalpies for the formation of neutral oxygen interstitials and trivalent Mn are determined

Effect of triangular vacancy defect on thermal conductivity and thermal rectification in graphene nanoribbons

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yang, Ping, E-mail: yangpingdm@ujs.edu.cn [Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing and Reliability for MEMS/NEMS/OEDS, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013 (China); Li, Xialong; Zhao, Yanfan [Laboratory of Advanced Manufacturing and Reliability for MEMS/NEMS/OEDS, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013 (China); Yang, Haiying [School of Materials Science and Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013 (China); Wang, Shuting, E-mail: wangst@mail.hust.edu.cn [School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074 (China)

2013-11-01

We investigate the thermal transport properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs) possessing various sizes of triangular vacancy defect within a temperature range of 200–600 K by using classical molecular dynamics simulation. The results show that the thermal conductivities of the graphene nanoribbons decrease with increasing sizes of triangular vacancy defects in both directions across the whole temperature range tested, and the presence of the defect can decrease the thermal conductivity by more than 40% as the number of removed cluster atoms is increased to 25 (1.56% for vacancy concentration) owing to the effect of phonon–defect scattering. In the meantime, we find the thermal conductivity of defective graphene nanoribbons is insensitive to the temperature change at higher vacancy concentrations. Furthermore, the dependence of temperatures and various sizes of triangular vacancy defect for the thermal rectification ration are also detected. This work implies a possible route to achieve thermal rectifier for 2D materials by defect engineering.

Dissociation and diffusion of hydrogen on defect-free and vacancy defective Mg (0001) surfaces: A density functional theory study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Han, Zongying [College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590 (China); Union Research Center of Fuel Cell, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083 (China); Chen, Haipeng [College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590 (China); College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590 (China); Zhou, Shixue, E-mail: zhoushixue66@163.com [College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590 (China); College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590 (China)

2017-02-01

Highlights: • Clarify the effect of vacancy defect on H{sub 2} dissociation on Mg (0001) surface. • Demonstrate the effects of vacancy defect on H atom diffusion. • Reveal the minimum energy diffusion path of H atom from magnesium surface into bulk. - Abstract: First-principles calculations with the density functional theory (DFT) have been carried out to study dissociation and diffusion of hydrogen on defect-free and vacancy defective Mg (0001) surfaces. Results show that energy barriers of 1.42 eV and 1.28 eV require to be overcome for H{sub 2} dissociation on defect-free and vacancy defective Mg (0001) surfaces respectively, indicating that reactivity of Mg (0001) surface is moderately increased due to vacancy defect. Besides, the existence of vacancy defect changes the preferential H atom diffusion entrance to the subsurface and reduces the diffusion energy barrier. An interesting remark is that the minimum energy diffusion path of H atom from magnesium surface into bulk is a spiral channel formed by staggered octahedral and tetrahedral interstitials. The diffusion barriers computed for H atom penetration from the surface into inner-layers are all less than 0.70 eV, which is much smaller than the activation energy for H{sub 2} dissociation on the Mg (0001) surface. This suggests that H{sub 2} dissociation is more likely than H diffusion to be rate-limiting step for magnesium hydrogenation.

Unraveling the facet-dependent and oxygen vacancy role for ethylene hydrogenation on Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} (110) surface: A DFT+U study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Yong-Chao; Pan, Lun; Lu, Jinhui; Song, Jiajia; Li, Zheng; Zhang, Xiangwen; Wang, Li [Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University (China); Collaborative Innovative Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072 (China); Zou, Ji-Jun, E-mail: jj_zou@tju.edu.cn [Key Laboratory for Green Chemical Technology of the Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University (China); Collaborative Innovative Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin 300072 (China)

2017-04-15

Highlights: • The mechanism of ethylene hydrogenation on perfect and oxygen defective Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}(110) is investigated by using DFT + U. • Oxygen vacancy promotes ethylene hydrogenation thermodynamically and kinetically. • The Co3O4 (110) facet is more active than the (111) one for ethylene hydrogenation. - Abstract: Crystal facet engineering and defect engineering are both critical strategies to improve the catalytic hydrogenation performance of catalyst. Herein, ethylene hydrogenation on the perfect and oxygen defective Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}(110) surfaces has been studied by using periodic density functional theory calculations. The results are compared with that on Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}(111) surface to clarify the problem of which facet for Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} is more reactive, and to illuminate the role of oxygen vacancy. The low oxygen vacancy formation energy suggests that Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}(110) surface with defective site is easily formed. The whole mechanism of H{sub 2} dissociation and stepwise hydrogenation of ethylene to ethane is examined, and the most favorable pathway is heterolytic dissociation of H{sub 2} follows two stepwise hydrogenation of ethylene process. The results show that ethyl hydrogenation to ethane on perfect Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}(110) surface is the rate limiting step with an activation energy of 1.19 eV, and the presence of oxygen vacancy strongly reduces the activation energies of main elementary steps, and the activation energy of rate limiting step is only 0.47 eV. Compared with that on Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}(111), ethylene hydrogenation is preferred on Co{sub 3}O{sub 4}(110) surface. Therefore, Co{sub 3}O{sub 4} with exposed (110) facet is predicted as an excellent catalyst for ethylene hydrogenation.

Effect of oxygen vacancies on the electronic and optical properties of tungsten oxide from first principles calculations

Science.gov (United States)

Mehmood, Faisal; Pachter, Ruth; Murphy, Neil R.; Johnson, Walter E.; Ramana, Chintalapalle V.

2016-12-01

In this work, we investigated theoretically the role of oxygen vacancies on the electronic and optical properties of cubic, γ-monoclinic, and tetragonal phases of tungsten oxide (WO3) thin films. Following the examination of structural properties and stability of the bulk tungsten oxide polymorphs, we analyzed band structures and optical properties, applying density functional theory (DFT) and GW (Green's (G) function approximation with screened Coulomb interaction (W)) methods. Careful benchmarking of calculated band gaps demonstrated the importance of using a range-separated functional, where results for the pristine room temperature γ-monoclinic structure indicated agreement with experiment. Further, modulation of the band gap for WO3 structures with oxygen vacancies was quantified. Dielectric functions for cubic WO3, calculated at both the single-particle, essentially time-dependent DFT, as well as many-body GW-Bethe-Salpeter equation levels, indicated agreement with experimental data for pristine WO3. Interestingly, we found that introducing oxygen vacancies caused appearance of lower energy absorptions. A smaller refractive index was indicated in the defective WO3 structures. These predictions could lead to further experiments aimed at tuning the optical properties of WO3 by introducing oxygen vacancies, particularly for the lower energy spectral region.

Characterization of vacancy defects in Cu(In,GaSe2 by positron annihilation spectroscopy

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

M. R. M. Elsharkawy

2016-12-01

Full Text Available The photovoltaic performance of Cu(In1-x,GaxSe2 (CIGS materials is commonly assumed to be degraded by the presence of vacancy-related defects. However, experimental identification of specific vacancy defects remains challenging. In this work we report positron lifetime measurements on CIGS crystals with x = 0, and x = 0.05, saturation trapping to two dominant vacancy defect types, in both types of crystal, is observed and found to be independent of temperature between 15–300 K. Atomic superposition method calculations of the positron lifetimes for a range of vacancy defects in CIS and CGS are reported. The calculated lifetimes support the assignment of the first experimental lifetime component to monovacancy or divacancy defects, and the second to trivacancies, or possibly the large In-Se divacancy. Further, the calculated positron parameters obtained here provide evidence that positron annihilation spectroscopy has the capability to identify specific vacancy-related defects in the Cu(In1-x,GaxSe2 chalcogenides.

Optical spectroscopy of vacancy related defects in silicon carbide generated by proton irradiation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kasper, C.; Sperlich, A.; Simin, D.; Astakhov, G.V. [Experimental Physics VI, Julius Maximilian University of Wuerzburg (Germany); Kraus, H. [Japan Atomic EnergyAgency, Takasaki, Gunma (Japan); Experimental Physics VI, Julius Maximilian University of Wuerzburg (Germany); Makino, T.; Sato, S.I.; Ohshima, T. [Japan Atomic EnergyAgency, Takasaki, Gunma (Japan); Dyakonov, V. [Experimental Physics VI, Julius Maximilian University of Wuerzburg (Germany); ZAE Bayern, Wuerzburg (Germany)

2016-07-01

Defects in silicon carbide (SiC) received growing attention in recent years, because they are promising candidates for spin based quantum information processing. In this study we examine silicon vacancies in 4H-SiC crystals generated by proton irradiation. By the use of confocal microscopy the implantation depth of Si vacancies for varying proton energies can be verified. An important issue is to ascertain the nature and distribution of the defects. For this purpose, we use the characteristic photoluminescence spectrum of Si vacancies, whose intensity is proportional to the defect density. Using xyz-scans, where the photoluminescence at each mapping point is recorded, one can thus determine the vacancies nature and their distribution in the SiC crystal. Additionally we verify the nature of the examined defects by measuring their uniquely defined zero-field-splitting by using ODMR associated with defect spins.

Defect chemistry modelling of oxygen-stoichiometry, vacancy concentrations, and conductivity of (La1-xSrx)(y)MnO3 +/-delta

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Poulsen, F.W.

2000-01-01

model, based on delocalised electrons, electron holes and all B-ions being trivalent is given in Appendix A. The sequential mathematical method allows us to calculate the high temperature oxygen partial pressure dependent properties of (La1-xSrx)(y)MnO3+/-delta in a unified manner irrespective...... are calculated by the small polaron model containing only ionic species - the B-ion may be Mn-B' (Mn2+), Mn-B(x) (Mn3+), and Mn-B(Mn4+). The A/B-ratio = y greatly influences the oxygen stoichiometry, oxygen ion vacancy- and cation vacancy concentrations and the total conductivity. Calculations are given...

First principle simulations on the effects of oxygen vacancy in HfO2-based RRAM

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yuehua Dai

2015-01-01

Full Text Available HfO2-based resistive random access memory (RRAM takes advantage of oxygen vacancy (V o defects in its principle of operation. Since the change in resistivity of the material is controlled by the level of oxygen deficiency in the material, it is significantly important to study the performance of oxygen vacancies in formation of conductive filament. Excluding effects of the applied voltage, the Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP is used to investigate the orientation and concentration mechanism of the oxygen vacancies based on the first principle. The optimal value of crystal orientation [010] is identified by means of the calculated isosurface plots of partial charge density, formation energy, highest isosurface value, migration barrier, and energy band of oxygen vacancy in ten established orientation systems. It will effectively influence the SET voltage, forming voltage, and the ON/OFF ratio of the device. Based on the results of orientation dependence, different concentration models are established along crystal orientation [010]. The performance of proposed concentration models is evaluated and analyzed in this paper. The film is weakly conductive for the samples deposited in a mixture with less than 4.167at.% of V o contents, and the resistive switching (RS phenomenon cannot be observed in this case. The RS behavior improves with an increase in the V o contents from 4.167at.% to 6.25at.%; nonetheless, it is found difficult to switch to a stable state. However, a higher V o concentration shows a more favorable uniformity and stability for HfO2-based RRAM.

Ferromagnetism and half metallicity induced by oxygen vacancies in the double perovskite BaSrNiWO{sub 6}: DFT study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aharbil, Y. [Laboratoire de Chimie Physique des Matériaux LCPM, Faculté des Sciences Ben M' Sik, Casablanca (Morocco); Labrim, H. [Unité Science de la Matière/DERS/Centre National de l’Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN), Rabat (Morocco); Benmokhtar, S.; Haddouch, M. Ait [Laboratoire de Chimie Physique des Matériaux LCPM, Faculté des Sciences Ben M' Sik, Casablanca (Morocco); Bahmad, L., E-mail: bahmad@fsr.ac.ma [Mohammed V University in Rabat, Laboratoire de Magnétisme et Physique des Hautes Energies L.M.P.H.E. URAC-12, B.P. 1014, Rabat (Morocco); Belhaj, A. [LIRST, Département de Physique, Faculté Poly-disciplinaire, Université Sultan Moulay Slimane, Béni Mellal (Morocco); Ez-Zahraouy, H.; Benyoussef, A. [Mohammed V University in Rabat, Laboratoire de Magnétisme et Physique des Hautes Energies L.M.P.H.E. URAC-12, B.P. 1014, Rabat (Morocco)

2016-11-01

Using the spin polarized density functional theory (DFT) and exploring the Plane-Wave Self-Consistent Field (PWscf) code implemented in Quantum-ESPRESSO package, we investigate the effect of the Oxygen vacancies (V{sub O}) and the Oxygen interstitial (O{sub i}) on the double perovskite BaSrNiWO{sub 6}. This deals with the magnetic ordering and the electronic structure in such a pure sample exhibiting the insulating anti-ferromagnetic (AFM) state. This study shows that the presence of oxygen deficient defects converts the insulating to half metal with ferromagnetic or anti-ferromagnetic states. The magnetic ordering in BaSrNiWO{sub 6−δ} depends on the position of the Oxygen vacancy in the unit cell. However, it has been shown that the Oxygen interstitial preserves the anti-ferromagnetic propriety. We have computed the formation energies of different positions of the Oxygen vacancy (V{sub O}) and the Oxygen interstitial (O{sub i}) in the BaSrNiWO{sub 6} compound. We showed that the formation of V{sub O} is easier and vice versa for the O{sub i} formation. The obtained results reveal(V{sub O}) and the Oxygen interstitial (O{sub i}) that the anti-ferromagnetic can be converted to ferromagnetic in the double perovskite BaSrNiWO{sub 6} induced by Oxygen vacancies V{sub O}. - Highlights: • We have studied the ferromagnetism and Half Metallicity in Double Perovskite BaSrNiWO{sub 6}. • We have applied the Ab-inito calculations using the DFT approach. • We showed the effects induced by Oxygen Vacancies and Oxygen interstitial. • We found that the magnetic ordering in BaSrNiWO{sub 6−δ} depends on the position of the Oxygen vacancy in the unit cell.

Periodic density functional theory study of ethylene hydrogenation over Co3O4 (1 1 1) surface: The critical role of oxygen vacancies

Science.gov (United States)

Lu, Jinhui; Song, JiaJia; Niu, Hongling; Pan, Lun; Zhang, Xiangwen; Wang, Li; Zou, Ji-Jun

2016-05-01

Recently, metal oxides are attracting increasing interests as hydrogenation catalyst. Herein we studied the hydrogenation of ethylene on perfect and oxygen defective Co3O4 (1 1 1) using periodic density functional theory. The energetics and pathways of ethylene hydrogenation to ethane were determined. We have demonstrated that (i) H2 dissociation on Co3O4 is a complicated two-step process through a heterolytic cleavage, followed by the migration of H atom and finally yields the homolytic product on both perfect and oxygen defective Co3O4 (1 1 1) surfaces easily. (ii) After introducing the surface oxygen vacancy, the stepwise hydrogenation of ethylene by atomic hydrogen is much easier than that on perfect surface due to the weaker bond strength of OH group. The strength of Osbnd H bond is a crucial factor for the hydrogenation reaction which involves the breakage of Osbnd H bond. The formation of oxygen vacancy increases the electronic charges at the adjacent surface O, which reduces its capability of further gaining electrons from adsorbed atomic hydrogen and then weakens the strength of Osbnd H bond. These results emphasize the importance of the oxygen vacancies for hydrogenation on metal oxides.

Oxygen defects in amorphous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}: A hybrid functional study

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guo, Zhendong, E-mail: zhendong.guo@epfl.ch; Ambrosio, Francesco; Pasquarello, Alfredo [Chaire de Simulation à l' Echelle Atomique (CSEA), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH-1015 Lausanne (Switzerland)

2016-08-08

The electronic properties of the oxygen vacancy and interstitial in amorphous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} are studied via ab initio molecular dynamics simulations and hybrid functional calculations. Our results indicate that these defects do not occur in amorphous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, due to structural rearrangements which assimilate the defect structure and cause a delocalization of the associated defect levels. The imbalance of oxygen leads to a nonstoichiometric compound in which the oxygen occurs in the form of O{sup 2–} ions. Intrinsic oxygen defects are found to be unable to trap excess electrons. For low Fermi energies, the formation of peroxy linkages is found to be favored leading to the capture of holes. The relative +2/0 defect levels occur at 2.5 eV from the valence band.

Effects of recoil-implanted oxygen on depth profiles of defects and annealing processes in P{sup +}-implanted Si studied using monoenergetic positron beams

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uedono, Akira; Moriya, Tsuyoshi; Tanigawa, Shoichiro [Tsukuba Univ., Ibaraki (Japan). Inst. of Materials Science; Kitano, Tomohisa; Watanabe, Masahito; Kawano, Takao; Suzuki, Ryoichi; Ohdaira, Toshiyuki; Mikado, Tomohisa

1996-04-01

Effects of oxygen atoms recoiled from SiO{sub 2} films on depth profiles of defects and annealing processes in P{sup +}-implanted Si were studied using monoenergetic positron beams. For an epitaxial Si specimen, the depth profile of defects was found to be shifted toward the surface by recoil implantation of oxygen atoms. This was attributed to the formation of vacancy-oxygen complexes and a resultant decrease in the diffusion length of vacancy-type defects. The recoiled oxygen atoms stabilized amorphous regions introduced by P{sup +}-implantation, and the annealing of these regions was observed after rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 700degC. For a Czochralski-grown Si specimen fabricated by through-oxide implantation, the recoiled oxygen atoms introduced interstitial-type defects upon RTA below the SiO{sub 2}/Si interface, and such defects were dissociated by annealing at 1000degC. (author)

Oxygen Nonstoichiometry and Defect Chemistry Modeling of Ce0.8Pr0.2O2-delta

OpenAIRE

Chatzichristodoulou, Christodoulos; Hendriksen, Peter Vang

2010-01-01

The oxygen nonstoichiometry (delta) of Ce0.8Pr0.2O2−delta has been measured as a function of PO2 at temperatures between 600 and 900°C by coulometric titration and thermogravimetry. An ideal solution defect model, a regular solution model, and a defect association model, taking into account the association of reduced dopant species and oxygen vacancies, were unable to reproduce the experimental results. However, excellent agreement with the experimentally determined oxygen nonstoichiometry co...

Roles of grain boundary and oxygen vacancies in Ba{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}TiO{sub 3} films for resistive switching device application

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yan, Xiaobing, E-mail: xiaobing-yan@126.com, E-mail: mseyanx@nus.edu.sg [Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, College of Electron and Information Engineering, Hebei University, Baoding 071002 (China); Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore 117576 (Singapore); Li, Yucheng; Zhao, Jianhui; Li, Yan [Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, College of Electron and Information Engineering, Hebei University, Baoding 071002 (China); Bai, Gang [College of Electronic Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023 (China); Zhu, Siqi [Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632 (China)

2016-01-18

Oxygen vacancies are widely thought to be responsible for resistive switching (RS) effects based on polycrystalline oxides films. It is also well known that grain boundaries (GB) serve as reservoirs for accumulating oxygen vacancies. Here, Ar gas was introduced to enlarge the size of GB and increase the quantity of oxygen vacancies when the Ba{sub 0.6}Sr{sub 0.4}TiO{sub 3} (BST) films were deposited by pulse laser deposition technique. The experimental results indicate that the RS properties of the device exhibits better in the Ar-introduced BST films than in the O{sub 2}-grown BST films. High resolution transmission electron microscopy images show that an amorphous region GB with large size appears between two lattice planes corresponding to oxygen vacancies defects in the Ar-introduced BST. Fourier-transform infrared reflectivity spectroscopy results also reveal highly accumulated oxygen vacancies in the Ar-introduced BST films. And we propose that the conduction transport of the cell was dominantly contributed from not ions migration of oxygen vacancies but the electrons in our case according to the value of activation energies of two kinds of films.

Structural and optical investigations of oxygen defects in zinc oxide nanoparticles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sahai, Anshuman; Goswami, Navendu

2015-01-01

ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared implementing chemical precipitation method. Structural and optical characterizations of synthesized ZnO NPs were thoroughly probed applying X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV- Visible absorption and fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy. The XRD and TEM analyses revealed hexagonal wurtzite phase with 25-30 nm size. EDX analysis indicated oxygen (O) rich composition of nanoparticles. In accordance with EDX, XPS analysis verifies O i rich stoichiometry of prepared NPs. Furthermore, concurrence of lattice oxygen (O L ), interstitial oxygen (O i ) and oxygen vacancy (V O ) in ZnO NPs was demonstrated through XPS analysis. Size quantization of nanoparticles is evident by blue shift of UV-Visible absorption energy. The FL spectroscopic investigations ascertain the existence of several discrete and defect states and radiative transitions occurring therein. Display of visible emission from oxygen defect states and most importantly, excess of O i defects in prepared ZnO nanoparticles, was well established through FL study

The modulation of oxygen vacancies by the combined current effect and temperature cycling in La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 film

Science.gov (United States)

Li, J.; Wang, J.; Kuang, H.; Zhao, Y. Y.; Qiao, K. M.; Liu, Y.; Hu, F. X.; Sun, J. R.; Shen, B. G.

2018-05-01

Modulating the oxygen defect concentration has been accepted as an effective method to obtain high catalytic activity in perovskite cobaltites. However, controllably modifying the oxygen vacancy is still a challenge in this type of materials, which strongly obstructs their application. Here, we report a successful oxygen vacancies modulation in the La0.7Sr0.3CoO3 (LSCO) film by using combined current effect and temperature cycling. The temperature dependent transport properties of the LSCO/LAO film were investigated. The results revealed that the resistance of the film keeps increasing under the repeated measurements. It was found that the accumulation of the oxygen vacancy by current effect transforms the Co4+ ion into Co3+ ion, which results in the enhancement of the resistance and thus the transport switching behavior. Moreover, the resistance in the cooling process was found to be much higher than that in previous cooling and heating processes, which indicates that the oxygen escapes more quickly in the high temperature region. On the other hand, our analysis indicates that the CoO6 distortion may contribute to the switching of transport behaviors in the low temperature region. Our work provides an effective and controllable way to modulate oxygen defect in the perovskite-type oxides.

Extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and x-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy study of aliovalent doped ceria to correlate local structural changes with oxygen vacancies clustering

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shirbhate, S. C.; Acharya, S. A., E-mail: saha275@yahoo.com [Department of Physics, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440033 (India); Yadav, A. K. [Atomic and molecular Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400085 (India)

2016-04-04

This study provides atomic scale insight to understand the role of aliovalent dopants on oxygen vacancies clustering and dissociation mechanism in ceria system in order to enhance the performance of oxy-ion conductor. Dopants induced microscale changes in ceria are probed by extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy, X-ray absorption near edge spectra, and Raman spectroscopy. The results are explored to establish a correlation between atomic level structural changes (coordination number, interatomic spacing) → formation of dimer and trimer type cation-oxygen vacancies defect complex (intrinsic and extrinsic) → dissociation of oxygen vacancies from defect cluster → ionic conductivity temperature. It is a strategic approach to understand key physics of ionic conductivity mechanism in order to reduce operating temperature of electrolytes for intermediate temperature (300–450 °C) electrochemical devices for the first time.

Interaction of oxygen vacancies in yttrium germanates

KAUST Repository

Wang, Hao

2012-01-01

Forming a good Ge/dielectric interface is important to improve the electron mobility of a Ge metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor. A thin yttrium germanate capping layer can improve the properties of the Ge/GeO 2 system. We employ electronic structure calculations to investigate the effect of oxygen vacancies in yttrium-doped GeO 2 and the yttrium germanates Y 2Ge 2O 7 and Y 2GeO 5. The calculated densities of states indicate that dangling bonds from oxygen vacancies introduce in-gap states, but the system remains insulating. However, yttrium-doped GeO 2 becomes metallic under oxygen deficiency. Y-doped GeO 2, Y 2Ge 2O 7 and Y 2GeO 5 are calculated to be oxygen substoichiometric under low Fermi energy conditions. The use of yttrium germanates is proposed as a way to effectively passivate the Ge/dielectric interface. This journal is © 2012 the Owner Societies.

Hydroxyl-dependent Evolution of Oxygen Vacancies Enables the Regeneration of BiOCl photocatalyst

KAUST Repository

Wu, Sujuan

2017-05-02

Photoinduced oxygen vacancies (OVs) are widely investigated as a vital point defect in wide-band-gap semiconductors. Still, the formation mechanism of OVs remains unclear in various materials. To elucidate the formation mechanism of photoinduced OVs in bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl), we synthesized two surface hydroxyl discrete samples in light of the discovery of the significant variance of hydroxyl groups before and after UV light exposure. It is noted that OVs can be obtained easily after UV light irradiation in the sample with surface hydroxyl groups, while variable changes were observed in samples without surface hydroxyls. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the binding energy of Bi-O is drastically influenced by surficial hydroxyl groups, which is intensely correlated to the formation of photoinduced OVs. Moreover, DFT calculations reveal that the adsorbed water molecules are energetically favored to dissociate into separate hydroxyl groups at the OV sites via proton transfer to a neighboring bridging oxygen atom, forming two bridging hydroxyl groups per initial oxygen vacancy. This result is consistent with the experimental observation that the disappearance of photoinduced OVs and the recovery of hydroxyl groups on the surface of BiOCl after exposed to a H2O(g)-rich atmosphere, and finally enables the regeneration of BiOCl photocatalyst. Here, we introduce new insights that the evolution of photoinduced OVs is dependent on surface hydroxyl groups, which will lead to the regeneration of active sites in semiconductors. This work is useful for controllable designs of defective semiconductors for applications in photocatalysis and photovoltaics.

Enhanced oxygen vacancy diffusion in Ta2O5 resistive memory devices due to infinitely adaptive crystal structure

Science.gov (United States)

Jiang, Hao; Stewart, Derek A.

2016-04-01

Metal oxide resistive memory devices based on Ta2O5 have demonstrated high switching speed, long endurance, and low set voltage. However, the physical origin of this improved performance is still unclear. Ta2O5 is an important archetype of a class of materials that possess an adaptive crystal structure that can respond easily to the presence of defects. Using first principles nudged elastic band calculations, we show that this adaptive crystal structure leads to low energy barriers for in-plane diffusion of oxygen vacancies in λ phase Ta2O5. Identified diffusion paths are associated with collective motion of neighboring atoms. The overall vacancy diffusion is anisotropic with higher diffusion barriers found for oxygen vacancy movement between Ta-O planes. Coupled with the fact that oxygen vacancy formation energy in Ta2O5 is relatively small, our calculated low diffusion barriers can help explain the low set voltage in Ta2O5 based resistive memory devices. Our work shows that other oxides with adaptive crystal structures could serve as potential candidates for resistive random access memory devices. We also discuss some general characteristics for ideal resistive RAM oxides that could be used in future computational material searches.

Vacancy defects and defect clusters in alkali metal ion-doped MgO nanocrystallites studied by positron annihilation and photoluminescence spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sellaiyan, S.; Uedono, A. [University of Tsukuba, Division of Applied Physics, Tsukuba, Ibaraki (Japan); Sivaji, K.; Janet Priscilla, S. [University of Madras, Department of Nuclear Physics, Chennai (India); Sivasankari, J. [Anna University, Department of Physics, Chennai (India); Selvalakshmi, T. [National Institute of Technology, Nanomaterials Laboratory, Department of Physics, Tiruchirappalli (India)

2016-10-15

Pure and alkali metal ion (Li, Na, and K)-doped MgO nanocrystallites synthesized by solution combustion technique have been studied by positron lifetime and Doppler broadening spectroscopy methods. Positron lifetime analysis exhibits four characteristic lifetime components for all the samples. Doping reduces the Mg vacancy after annealing to 800 C. It was observed that Li ion migrates to the vacancy site to recover Mg vacancy-type defects, reducing cluster vacancies and micropores. For Na- and K-doped MgO, the aforementioned defects are reduced and immobile at 800 C. Coincidence Doppler broadening studies show the positron trapping sites as vacancy clusters. The decrease in the S parameter is due to the particle growth and reduction in the defect concentration at 800 C. Photoluminescence study shows an emission peak at 445 nm and 498 nm, associated with F{sub 2} {sup 2+} and recombination of higher-order vacancy complexes. Further, annealing process is likely to dissociate F{sub 2} {sup 2+} to F{sup +} and this F{sup +} is converted into F centers at 416 nm. (orig.)

Vacancy defects and defect clusters in alkali metal ion-doped MgO nanocrystallites studied by positron annihilation and photoluminescence spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Sellaiyan, S.; Uedono, A.; Sivaji, K.; Janet Priscilla, S.; Sivasankari, J.; Selvalakshmi, T.

2016-10-01

Pure and alkali metal ion (Li, Na, and K)-doped MgO nanocrystallites synthesized by solution combustion technique have been studied by positron lifetime and Doppler broadening spectroscopy methods. Positron lifetime analysis exhibits four characteristic lifetime components for all the samples. Doping reduces the Mg vacancy after annealing to 800 °C. It was observed that Li ion migrates to the vacancy site to recover Mg vacancy-type defects, reducing cluster vacancies and micropores. For Na- and K-doped MgO, the aforementioned defects are reduced and immobile at 800 °C. Coincidence Doppler broadening studies show the positron trapping sites as vacancy clusters. The decrease in the S parameter is due to the particle growth and reduction in the defect concentration at 800 °C. Photoluminescence study shows an emission peak at 445 nm and 498 nm, associated with F2 2+ and recombination of higher-order vacancy complexes. Further, annealing process is likely to dissociate F2 2+ to F+ and this F+ is converted into F centers at 416 nm.

Vacancy defects and defect clusters in alkali metal ion-doped MgO nanocrystallites studied by positron annihilation and photoluminescence spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sellaiyan, S.; Uedono, A.; Sivaji, K.; Janet Priscilla, S.; Sivasankari, J.; Selvalakshmi, T.

2016-01-01

Pure and alkali metal ion (Li, Na, and K)-doped MgO nanocrystallites synthesized by solution combustion technique have been studied by positron lifetime and Doppler broadening spectroscopy methods. Positron lifetime analysis exhibits four characteristic lifetime components for all the samples. Doping reduces the Mg vacancy after annealing to 800 C. It was observed that Li ion migrates to the vacancy site to recover Mg vacancy-type defects, reducing cluster vacancies and micropores. For Na- and K-doped MgO, the aforementioned defects are reduced and immobile at 800 C. Coincidence Doppler broadening studies show the positron trapping sites as vacancy clusters. The decrease in the S parameter is due to the particle growth and reduction in the defect concentration at 800 C. Photoluminescence study shows an emission peak at 445 nm and 498 nm, associated with F_2 "2"+ and recombination of higher-order vacancy complexes. Further, annealing process is likely to dissociate F_2 "2"+ to F"+ and this F"+ is converted into F centers at 416 nm. (orig.)

Correlated lifetimes of free paraexcitons and excitons trapped at oxygen vacancies in cuprous oxide

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Koirala, Sandhaya; Naka, Nobuko; Tanaka, Koichiro

2013-01-01

We have studied transients of luminescence due to free excitons and excitons trapped at oxygen vacancies in cuprous oxide. We find that both trapped and free paraexcitons have lifetime dependent on temperature and on the oxygen concentration. By using samples containing much less copper vacancies relative to oxygen vacancies, we find out the direct correlation between the free paraexciton lifetime and trapped exciton lifetime. - Highlights: ► We have investigated trapping of free excitons at oxygen vacancies in cuprous oxide. ► Lifetimes of free and trapped excitons exhibit correlative temperature dependence. ► Four-level model with the activation energy of 33 meV well explains the observation. ► Comparison is made using the four samples with different vacancy concentrations. ► We clarified the crucial role of the oxygen vacancy in shortening the lifetimes.

Spin-dependent recombination involving oxygen-vacancy complexes in silicon

OpenAIRE

Franke, David P.; Hoehne, Felix; Vlasenko, Leonid S.; Itoh, Kohei M.; Brandt, Martin S.

2014-01-01

Spin-dependent relaxation and recombination processes in $\\gamma$-irradiated $n$-type Czochralski-grown silicon are studied using continuous wave (cw) and pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR). Two processes involving the SL1 center, the neutral excited triplet state of the oxygen-vacancy complex, are observed which can be separated by their different dynamics. One of the processes is the relaxation of the excited SL1 state to the ground state of the oxygen-vacancy complex, t...

Electronic and magnetic properties of MoS2 nanoribbons with sulfur line vacancy defects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Han, Yang; Zhou, Jian; Dong, Jinming

2015-01-01

Highlights: • We performed DFT calculations on Sulfur line defects embedded MoS 2 . • The defects induced bond strains are larger in the zigzag (ZZ) edge ones. • The ZZ ones are metals, having two degenerate ground states FM and AFM. • The armchair ones are nonmagnetic semiconductors. • The defects can induce some defect states in the electronic structures. - Abstract: Motivated by the recent experimental result that single sulfur vacancies in monolayer MoS 2 are mobile under the electron beam and easily agglomerate into the sulfur line vacancy defects [Physical Review B 88, 035301(2013)] , the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of one dimensional zigzag (ZZ) and armchair (AC) edge MoS 2 nanoribbons with single or double staggered sulfur line vacancy defects (hereafter, abbreviated as SV or DV, respectively), parallel to their edges, have been investigated systematically by density functional theory calculations. It is very interesting to find that the bond strains induced by the sulfur line vacancy defect can cause a much larger out-of plane distortions in the ZZ edge MoS 2 nanoribbon than in the AC edge counterpart. Besides, the defective ZZ edge MoS 2 nanoribbons with SV or DV are both metals, having their two respective degenerate ground states with the same energy, among which one is ferromagnetic (FM “ + +”) and the other is antiferromagnetic (AFM “ + −”). But the AC edge MoS 2 nanoribbons with SV or DV are both nonmagnetic semiconductors, having very different gap values. Finally, the sulfur line vacancy defects would induce some defect states in the electronic structures of the defective MoS 2 nanoribbons. All these important results could provide a new route of tuning the electronic properties of MoS 2 nanoribbons and its derivatives for their promising applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics

Vacancy defects in electron-irradiated ZnO studied by Doppler broadening of annihilation radiation

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Z. Q.; Betsuyaku, K.; Kawasuso, A.

2008-03-01

Vacancy defects in ZnO induced by electron irradiation were characterized by the Doppler broadening of annihilation radiation measurements together with the local density approximation calculations. Zinc vacancies (VZn) are responsible for positron trapping in the as-irradiated state. These are annealed out below 200°C . The further annealing at 400°C results in the formation of secondary defects attributed to the complexes composed of zinc vacancies and zinc antisites (VZn-ZnO) .

Electronic properties of graphene with single vacancy and Stone-Wales defects

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zaminpayma, Esmaeil; Razavi, Mohsen Emami; Nayebi, Payman

2017-01-01

Highlights: • The electronic properties of graphene device with single vacancy (SV) and Stone-Wales (SW) defect have been studied. • The first principles calculations have been performed based on self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding. • The density of state, current voltage curves of pure graphene and graphene with SV and SW defects have been investigated. • Transmission spectrum of pristine graphene device and graphene with SV and SW defects has been examined. - Abstract: The first principles calculations have been performed based on self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding in order to examine the electronic properties of graphene with single vacancy (SV) and Stone-Wales (SW) defects. We have optimized structures of pristine graphene and graphene with SV and SW defects. The bond lengths, current-voltage curve and transmission probability have been calculated. We found that the bond length for relaxed graphene is 1.43 Å while for graphene with SV and SW defects the bond lengths are 1.41 Å and 1.33 Å, respectively. For the SV defect, the arrangement of atoms with three nearest neighbors indicates sp_2 bonding. While for SW defect, the arrangement of atoms suggests nearly sp bonding. From the current-voltage curve for graphene with defects we have determined that the behavior of the I–V curves is nonlinear. It is also found that the SV and SW defects cause to decrease the current compared to the pristine graphene case. Furthermore, the single vacancy defect reduces the current more than the Stone-Wales defect. Moreover, we observed that by increasing the voltage from zero to 1 V new peaks near Fermi level in the transmission probability curves have been created.

Electronic properties of graphene with single vacancy and Stone-Wales defects

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zaminpayma, Esmaeil [Physics Group, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Razavi, Mohsen Emami, E-mail: razavi246@gmail.com [Plasma Physics Research Center, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box 14665-678, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Nayebi, Payman [Department of Physics, College of Technical and Engineering, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh (Iran, Islamic Republic of)

2017-08-31

Highlights: • The electronic properties of graphene device with single vacancy (SV) and Stone-Wales (SW) defect have been studied. • The first principles calculations have been performed based on self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding. • The density of state, current voltage curves of pure graphene and graphene with SV and SW defects have been investigated. • Transmission spectrum of pristine graphene device and graphene with SV and SW defects has been examined. - Abstract: The first principles calculations have been performed based on self-consistent charge density functional tight-binding in order to examine the electronic properties of graphene with single vacancy (SV) and Stone-Wales (SW) defects. We have optimized structures of pristine graphene and graphene with SV and SW defects. The bond lengths, current-voltage curve and transmission probability have been calculated. We found that the bond length for relaxed graphene is 1.43 Å while for graphene with SV and SW defects the bond lengths are 1.41 Å and 1.33 Å, respectively. For the SV defect, the arrangement of atoms with three nearest neighbors indicates sp{sub 2} bonding. While for SW defect, the arrangement of atoms suggests nearly sp bonding. From the current-voltage curve for graphene with defects we have determined that the behavior of the I–V curves is nonlinear. It is also found that the SV and SW defects cause to decrease the current compared to the pristine graphene case. Furthermore, the single vacancy defect reduces the current more than the Stone-Wales defect. Moreover, we observed that by increasing the voltage from zero to 1 V new peaks near Fermi level in the transmission probability curves have been created.

Simultaneous modulation of surface composition, oxygen vacancies and assembly in hierarchical Co3O4 mesoporous nanostructures for lithium storage and electrocatalytic oxygen evolution

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Sun, Hongyu; Zhao, Yanyan; Mølhave, Kristian

2017-01-01

in superior electrochemical properties when used as the anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and as an electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction. The excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of novel hierarchical morphology, crystal structure of the active...... materials, the improvement of intrinsic conductivity and inner surface area induced by the oxygen vacancies. The present strategy not only provides a facile method to assemble novel hierarchical architectures, but also paves a way to control surface structures (chemical composition and crystal defects...

Influence of surface vacancy defects on the carburisation of Fe 110 surface by carbon monoxide

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chakrabarty, Aurab, E-mail: aurab.chakrabarty@qatar.tamu.edu; Bouhali, Othmane [Texas A& M University at Qatar, P.O. Box 23874, Doha (Qatar); Mousseau, Normand [Département de Physique and RQMP, Université de Montréal, Case Postale 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal (QC) H3C 3J7 (Canada); Becquart, Charlotte S. [UMET, UMR CNRS 8207, ENSCL, Université Lille I, 59655 Villeneuve d’Ascq cédex (France); El-Mellouhi, Fedwa, E-mail: felmellouhi@qf.org.qa [Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, P.O. Box 5825 Doha (Qatar)

2016-07-28

Adsorption and dissociation of gaseous carbon monoxide (CO) on metal surfaces is one of the most frequently occurring processes of carburisation, known as primary initiator of metal dusting corrosion. Among the various factors that can significantly influence the carburisation process are the intrinsic surface defects such as single surface vacancies occurring at high concentrations due to their low formation energy. Intuitively, adsorption and dissociation barriers of CO are expected to be lowered in the vicinity of a surface vacancy, due to the strong attractive interaction between the vacancy and the C atom. Here the adsorption energies and dissociation pathways of CO on clean and defective Fe 110 surface are explored by means of density functional theory. Interestingly, we find that the O adatom, resulting from the CO dissociation, is unstable in the electron-deficit neighbourhood of the vacancy due to its large electron affinity, and raises the barrier of the carburisation pathway. Still, a full comparative study between the clean surface and the vacancy-defected surface reveals that the complete process of carburisation, starting from adsorption to subsurface diffusion of C, is more favourable in the vicinity of a vacancy defect.

Role of vacancy defects in Al doped ZnO thin films for optoelectronic devices

Science.gov (United States)

Rotella, H.; Mazel, Y.; Brochen, S.; Valla, A.; Pautrat, A.; Licitra, C.; Rochat, N.; Sabbione, C.; Rodriguez, G.; Nolot, E.

2017-12-01

We report on the electrical, optical and photoluminescence properties of industry-ready Al doped ZnO thin films grown by physical vapor deposition, and their evolution after annealing under vacuum. Doping ZnO with Al atoms increases the carrier density but also favors the formation of Zn vacancies, thereby inducing a saturation of the conductivity mechanism at high aluminum content. The electrical and optical properties of these thin layered materials are both improved by annealing process which creates oxygen vacancies that releases charge carriers thus improving the conductivity. This study underlines the effect of the formation of extrinsic and intrinsic defects in Al doped ZnO compound during the fabrication process. The quality and the optoelectronic response of the produced films are increased (up to 1.52 mΩ \\cdotcm and 3.73 eV) and consistent with the industrial device requirements.

Study of the oxygen and substrate bias effects on the defect structure of reactive sputter-deposited SnOx films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Misheva, M.; Nancheva, N.; Docheva, P.; Hadjijska, P.; Djourelov, N.; Elenkov, D.

1999-01-01

The effects of oxygen and substrate bias on the defect structure of reactive sputter-deposited SnOx films were investigated. Samples were analysed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), transmission electron diffraction (TED), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). The oxygen played an important role in the film growth and surface morphology. TEM, TED and XRD showed that increasing of the oxygen partial pressure leads to the formation of films with different crystal phases. The void sizes also depended on oxygen partial pressure. The positron lifetimes and their relative intensities depended on the void concentration, the partial annealing of the vacancies and oxidation of SnO to SnOx. This investigation also showed that the mechanical strength of the films obtained at negative substrate bias is higher and the concentration of vacancy defects is smaller, than in the films, prepared without substrate bias. (author)

The Correlation Between Dislocations and Vacancy Defects Using Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Pang, Jinbiao; Li, Hui; Zhou, Kai; Wang, Zhu

2012-07-01

An analysis program for positron annihilation lifetime spectra is only applicable to isolated defects, but is of no use in the presence of defective correlations. Such limitations have long caused problems for positron researchers in their studies of complicated defective systems. In order to solve this problem, we aim to take a semiconductor material, for example, to achieve a credible average lifetime of single crystal silicon under plastic deformation at different temperatures using positron life time spectroscopy. By establishing reasonable positron trapping models with defective correlations and sorting out four lifetime components with multiple parameters, as well as their respective intensities, information is obtained on the positron trapping centers, such as the positron trapping rates of defects, the density of the dislocation lines and correlation between the dislocation lines, and the vacancy defects, by fitting with the average lifetime with the aid of Matlab software. These results give strong grounds for the existence of dislocation-vacancy correlation in plastically deformed silicon, and lay a theoretical foundation for the analysis of positron lifetime spectra when the positron trapping model involves dislocation-related defects.

Annihilation momentum density of positrons trapped at vacancy-type defects in metals and alloys

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bansil, A.; Prasad, R.; Benedek, R.

1988-01-01

Positron annihilation, especially the angular correlation of annihilation radiation, is a powerful tool for investigating the electronic spectra of ordered as well as defected materials. The tendency of positrons to trap at vacancy-type defects should enable this technique to study the local environment of such defects. However, we need to develop a theoretical basis for calculating the two-photon annihilation momentum density rho/sub 2gamma/(p-vector). We have recently formulated and implemented a theory of rho/sub 2gamma/(p-vector) from vacancy-type defects in metals and alloys. This article gives an outline of our approach together with a few of our results. Section 2 summarizes the basic equations for evaluating rho/sub 2gamma/(p-vector). Our Green's function-based approach is nonperturbative and employs a realistic (one-particle) muffin-tin Hamiltonian for treating electrons and positrons. Section 3 presents and discusses rho/sub 2gamma/(p-vector) results for a mono-vacancy in Cu. We have neglected the effects of electron-positron correlations and of lattice distortion around the vacancy. Section 4 comments briefly on the question of treating defects such as divacancies and metal-impurity complexes in metals and alloys. Finally, in Section 5, we remark on the form of rho/sub 2gamma/(p-vector) for a mono-vacancy in jellium. 2 figs

An atomistic vision of the Mass Action Law: Prediction of carbon/oxygen defects in silicon

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Brenet, G.; Timerkaeva, D.; Caliste, D.; Pochet, P. [CEA, INAC-SP2M, Atomistic Simulation Laboratory, F-38000 Grenoble (France); Univ. Grenoble Alpes, INAC-SP2M, L-Sim, F-38000 Grenoble (France); Sgourou, E. N.; Londos, C. A. [University of Athens, Solid State Physics Section, Panepistimiopolis Zografos, Athens 157 84 (Greece)

2015-09-28

We introduce an atomistic description of the kinetic Mass Action Law to predict concentrations of defects and complexes. We demonstrate in this paper that this approach accurately predicts carbon/oxygen related defect concentrations in silicon upon annealing. The model requires binding and migration energies of the impurities and complexes, here obtained from density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Vacancy-oxygen complex kinetics are studied as a model system during both isochronal and isothermal annealing. Results are in good agreement with experimental data, confirming the success of the methodology. More importantly, it gives access to the sequence of chain reactions by which oxygen and carbon related complexes are created in silicon. Beside the case of silicon, the understanding of such intricate reactions is a key to develop point defect engineering strategies to control defects and thus semiconductors properties.

The interaction of impurity oxygen in silicon with vacancies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aslanyan, A.A.; Babayan, S.A.; Eritsyan, G.N.; Kholodar, G.A.; Melkonyan, R.A.; Vinetskij, V.L.

1981-01-01

Silicon specimens irradiated with 50 MeV electrons, containing along with isolated oxygen atoms more complicated oxy-quasi-molecules of SiOsub(n) (n=1,2,3,...) type are investigated. At isochronal and isothermal annealing in the temperature range 300-350 deg C, besides the reaction of vacancy capturing by oxygen atoms with formation of A-centres, there occur more complicated reactions with participation of vacancies, A-centres, oxygen containing quasi-molecules, and a variety of sinks. The kinetics of the processing taking place at irradiation and annealing was studied with respect to the measurement of IR absorption spectra in the region 1-16 μm. A model is suggested to describe the observed processes that differ qualitatively from those taking place in specimens containing completely dissociated oxygen [ru

Oxygen Vacancy-Mediated ZnO Nanoparticle Photocatalyst for Degradation of Methylene Blue

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Qiuping Zhang

2018-02-01

Full Text Available ZnO nanoparticles (NPs are synthesized by deoxidizing ZnO powder in a vacuum drying process. This process reduces the size of the NPs and increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies on their surfaces. ZnO NPs with sufficient oxygen vacancies are highly effective for the photodecomposition of methylene blue (MB dye in water under ultraviolet irradiation. The MB degradation efficiency exceeds 99 percent after 50 min of light irradiation, and the catalytic property of the NPs remains stable over several complete degradation cycles. It is revealed that the concentration of oxygen vacancies on the surface, and the photocatalytic activity, are both higher for smaller NPs. Oxygen vacancies reduce the recombination rate of photo-generated charge carriers by capturing the electrons and hence, improve the efficiency of redox reactions. In addition, a smaller particle size leads to a larger specific surface area and a higher photonic efficiency for the ZnO NPs.

Effect of tin doping on oxygen- and carbon-related defects in Czochralski silicon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chroneos, A.; Londos, C. A.; Sgourou, E. N.

2011-01-01

Experimental and theoretical techniques are used to investigate the impact of tin doping on the formation and the thermal stability of oxygen- and carbon-related defects in electron-irradiated Czochralski silicon. The results verify previous reports that Sn doping reduces the formation of the VO defect and suppresses its conversion to the VO 2 defect. Within experimental accuracy, a small delay in the growth of the VO 2 defect is observed. Regarding carbon-related defects, it is determined that Sn doping leads to a reduction in the formation of the C i O i , C i C s , and C i O i (Si I ) defects although an increase in their thermal stability is observed. The impact of strain induced in the lattice by the larger tin substitutional atoms, as well as their association with intrinsic defects and carbon impurities, can be considered as an explanation to account for the above observations. The density functional theory calculations are used to study the interaction of tin with lattice vacancies and oxygen- and carbon-related clusters. Both experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that tin co-doping is an efficient defect engineering strategy to suppress detrimental effects because of the presence of oxygen- and carbon-related defect clusters in devices.

Electronic and magnetic properties of MoS{sub 2} nanoribbons with sulfur line vacancy defects

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Han, Yang [Group of Computational Condensed Matter Physics, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Zhou, Jian [National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China); Dong, Jinming, E-mail: jdong@nju.edu.cn [Group of Computational Condensed Matter Physics, National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures and Department of Physics, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093 (China)

2015-08-15

Highlights: • We performed DFT calculations on Sulfur line defects embedded MoS{sub 2}. • The defects induced bond strains are larger in the zigzag (ZZ) edge ones. • The ZZ ones are metals, having two degenerate ground states FM and AFM. • The armchair ones are nonmagnetic semiconductors. • The defects can induce some defect states in the electronic structures. - Abstract: Motivated by the recent experimental result that single sulfur vacancies in monolayer MoS{sub 2} are mobile under the electron beam and easily agglomerate into the sulfur line vacancy defects [Physical Review B 88, 035301(2013)] , the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of one dimensional zigzag (ZZ) and armchair (AC) edge MoS{sub 2} nanoribbons with single or double staggered sulfur line vacancy defects (hereafter, abbreviated as SV or DV, respectively), parallel to their edges, have been investigated systematically by density functional theory calculations. It is very interesting to find that the bond strains induced by the sulfur line vacancy defect can cause a much larger out-of plane distortions in the ZZ edge MoS{sub 2} nanoribbon than in the AC edge counterpart. Besides, the defective ZZ edge MoS{sub 2} nanoribbons with SV or DV are both metals, having their two respective degenerate ground states with the same energy, among which one is ferromagnetic (FM “ + +”) and the other is antiferromagnetic (AFM “ + −”). But the AC edge MoS{sub 2} nanoribbons with SV or DV are both nonmagnetic semiconductors, having very different gap values. Finally, the sulfur line vacancy defects would induce some defect states in the electronic structures of the defective MoS{sub 2} nanoribbons. All these important results could provide a new route of tuning the electronic properties of MoS{sub 2} nanoribbons and its derivatives for their promising applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.

Estimates of point defect production in α-quartz using molecular dynamics simulations

Science.gov (United States)

Cowen, Benjamin J.; El-Genk, Mohamed S.

2017-07-01

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are performed to investigate the production of point defects in α-quartz by oxygen and silicon primary knock-on atoms (PKAs) of 0.25-2 keV. The Wigner-Seitz (WS) defect analysis is used to identify the produced vacancies, interstitials, and antisites, and the coordination defect analysis is used to identify the under and over-coordinated oxygen and silicon atoms. The defects at the end of the ballistic phase and the residual defects, after annealing, increase with increased PKA energy, and are statistically the same for the oxygen and silicon PKAs. The WS defect analysis results show that the numbers of the oxygen vacancies and interstitials (VO, Oi) at the end of the ballistic phase is the highest, followed closely by those of the silicon vacancies and interstitials (VSi, Sii). The number of the residual oxygen and silicon vacancies and interstitials are statistically the same. In addition, the under-coordinated OI and SiIII, which are the primary defects during the ballistic phase, have high annealing efficiencies (>89%). The over-coordinated defects of OIII and SiV, which are not nearly as abundant in the ballistic phase, have much lower annealing efficiencies (PKA energy.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Vacuum-activated TiO2 Induced by Oxygen Vacancies.

Science.gov (United States)

Dong, Guoyan; Wang, Xin; Chen, Zhiwu; Lu, Zhenya

2018-05-01

TiO 2 (Degussa P25) photocatalysts harboring abundant oxygen vacancies (Vacuum P25) were manufactured using a simple and economic Vacuum deoxidation process. Control experiments showed that temperature and time of vacuum deoxidation had a significant effect on Vacuum P25 photocatalytic activity. After 240 min of visible light illumination, the optimal Vacuum P25 photocatalysts (vacuum deoxidation treated at 330 °C for 3 h) reach as high as 94% and 88% of photodegradation efficiency for rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline, respectively, which are around 4.5 and 4.9 times as that of pristine P25. The XPS, PL and EPR analyses indicated that the oxygen vacancies were produced in the Vacuum P25 during the vacuum deoxidation process. The oxygen vacancy states can produce vacancy energy level located below the conduction band minimum, which resulting in the bandgap narrowing, thus extending the photoresponse wavelength range of Vacuum P25. The positron annihilation analysis indicated that the concentrations ratio of bulk and surface oxygen vacancies could be adjusted by changing the vacuum deoxidation temperature and time. Decreasing the ratio of bulk and surface oxygen vacancies was shown to improve photogenerated electron-hole pair separation efficiency, which leads to an obvious enhancement of the visible photocatalytic activities of Vacuum P25. © 2017 The American Society of Photobiology.

Unraveling the oxygen vacancy structures at the reduced Ce O2(111 ) surface

Science.gov (United States)

Han, Zhong-Kang; Yang, Yi-Zhou; Zhu, Beien; Ganduglia-Pirovano, M. Verónica; Gao, Yi

2018-03-01

Oxygen vacancies at ceria (Ce O2 ) surfaces play an essential role in catalytic applications. However, during the past decade, the near-surface vacancy structures at Ce O2(111 ) have been questioned due to the contradictory results from experiments and theoretical simulations. Whether surface vacancies agglomerate, and which is the most stable vacancy structure for varying vacancy concentration and temperature, are being heatedly debated. By combining density functional theory calculations and Monte Carlo simulations, we proposed a unified model to explain all conflicting experimental observations and theoretical results. We find a novel trimeric vacancy structure which is more stable than any other one previously reported, which perfectly reproduces the characteristics of the double linear surface oxygen vacancy clusters observed by STM. Monte Carlo simulations show that at low temperature and low vacancy concentrations, vacancies prefer subsurface sites with a local (2 × 2) ordering, whereas mostly linear surface vacancy clusters do form with increased temperature and degree of reduction. These results well explain the disputes about the stable vacancy structure and surface vacancy clustering at Ce O2(111 ) , and provide a foundation for the understanding of the redox and catalytic chemistry of metal oxides.

Phase stability and the arsenic vacancy defect in InxGa1−xAs

KAUST Repository

Murphy, S. T.

2011-11-18

The introduction of defects, such as vacancies, into InxGa1−xAs can have a dramatic impact on the physical and electronic properties of the material. Here we employ ab initio simulations of quasirandom supercells to investigate the structure of InxGa1−xAs and then examine the energy and volume changes associated with the introduction of an arsenic vacancy defect. We predict that both defect energies and volumes for intermediate compositions of InxGa1−xAs differ significantly from what would be expected by assuming a simple linear interpolation of the end member defect energies/volumes.

Phase stability and the arsenic vacancy defect in InxGa1−xAs

KAUST Repository

Murphy, S. T.; Chroneos, Alexander; Grimes, R. W.; Jiang, C.; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo

2011-01-01

The introduction of defects, such as vacancies, into InxGa1−xAs can have a dramatic impact on the physical and electronic properties of the material. Here we employ ab initio simulations of quasirandom supercells to investigate the structure of InxGa1−xAs and then examine the energy and volume changes associated with the introduction of an arsenic vacancy defect. We predict that both defect energies and volumes for intermediate compositions of InxGa1−xAs differ significantly from what would be expected by assuming a simple linear interpolation of the end member defect energies/volumes.

Vacancy defects in electron irradiated RPV steels studied by positron lifetime

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Moser, P; Li, X H [CEA Centre d` Etudes de Grenoble, 38 (France). Dept. de Recherche Fondamentale sur la Matiere Condensee; Akamatsu, M; Van Duysen, J C [Electricite de France (EDF), 77 - Ecuelles (France)

1994-12-31

Specimens of French RPV (reactor pressure vessels) steels at different rates of segregation have been irradiated at 150 and 288 deg C with 3 MeV electrons (irradiation dose: 4*10{sup 19} e-/cm{sup 2}). Vacancy defects are studied by positron lifetime measurements before and after irradiation and at each step of isochronal annealing. After 150 deg C irradiation, a recovery step is observed in both specimens, for annealing treatments in the range 220-370 deg C and is attributed to the dissociation of vacancy-impurity complexes. The size of vacancy clusters never overcome 10 empty atomic volumes. If ``fresh`` dislocations are created just before irradiation, big vacancy clusters could be formed. After 288 deg C irradiation, small vacancy cluster of 4-10 empty atomic volumes are observed. (authors). 3 figs., 7 refs.

Investigation of intrinsic defect magnetic properties in wurtzite ZnO materials

Science.gov (United States)

Fedorov, A. S.; Visotin, M. A.; Kholtobina, A. S.; Kuzubov, A. A.; Mikhaleva, N. S.; Hsu, Hua Shu

2017-10-01

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the ferromagnetism induced by intrinsic defects inside wurtzite zinc oxide structures are performed using magnetic field-dependent circular dichroism (MCD-H), direct magnetization measurement (M-H) by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) as well as by generalized gradient density functional theory (GGA-DFT). To investigate localized magnetic moments of bulk material intrinsic defects - vacancies, interstitial atoms and Frenkel defects, various-size periodic supercells are calculated. It is shown that oxygen interstitial atoms (Oi) or zinc vacancies (Znv) generate magnetic moments of 1,98 и 1,26 μB respectively, however, the magnitudes are significantly reduced when the distance between defects increases. At the same time, the magnetic moments of oxygen Frenkel defects are large ( 1.5-1.8 μB) and do not depend on the distance between the defects. It is shown that the origin of the induced ferromagnetism in bulk ZnO is the extra spin density on the oxygen atoms nearest to the defect. Also dependence of the magnetization of ZnO (10 1 ̅ 0) and (0001) thin films on the positions of Oi and Znv in subsurface layers were investigated and it is shown that the magnetic moments of both defects are significantly different from the values inside bulk material. In order to check theoretical results regarding the defect induced ferromagnetism in ZnO, two thin films doped by carbon (C) and having Zn interstitials and oxygen vacancies were prepared and annealed in vacuum and air, respectively. According to the MCD-H and M-H measurements, the film, which was annealed in air, exhibits a ferromagnetic behavior, while the other does not. One can assume annealing of ZnO in vacuum should create oxygen vacancies or Zn interstitial atoms. At that annealing of the second C:ZnO film in air leads to essential magnetization, probably by annihilation of oxygen vacancies, formation of interstitial oxygen atoms or zinc vacancies

Understanding Oxygen Vacancy Formation, Interaction, Transport, and Strain in SOFC Components via Combined Thermodynamics and First Principles Calculations

Science.gov (United States)

Das, Tridip

Understanding of the vacancy formation, interaction, increasing its concentration and diffusion, and controlling its chemical strain will advance the design of mixed ionic and electronic conductor (MIEC) materials via element doping and strain engineering. This is especially central to improve the performance of the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), an energy conversion device for sustainable future. The oxygen vacancy concentration grows exponentially with the temperature at dilute vacancy concentration but not at higher concentration, or even decreases due to oxygen vacancy interaction and vacancy ordered phase change. This limits the ionic conductivity. Using density functional theory (DFT), we provided fundamental understanding on how oxygen vacancy interaction originates in one of the typical MIEC, La1-xSrxFeO3-delta (LSF). The vacancy interaction is determined by the interplay of the charge state of multi-valence ion (Fe), aliovalent doping (La/Sr ratio), the crystal structure, and the oxygen vacancy concentration and/or nonstoichiometry (delta). It was found excess electrons left due to the formation of a neutral oxygen vacancy get distributed to Fe directly connected to the vacancy or to the second nearest neighboring Fe, based on crystal field splitting of Fe 3d orbital in different Fe-O polyhedral coordination. The progressively larger polaron size and anisotropic shape changes with increasing Sr-content resulted in increasing oxygen vacancy interactions, as indicated by an increase in the oxygen vacancy formation energy above a critical delta threshold. This was consistent with experimental results showing that Sr-rich LSF and highly oxygen deficient compositions are prone to oxygen-vacancy-ordering-induced phase transformations, while Sr-poor and oxygen-rich LSF compositions are not. Since oxygen vacancy induced phase transformations, cause a decrease in the mobile oxygen vacancy site fraction (X), both delta and X were predicted as a function of

Native defects in ZnO films studied by slow positron beam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Peng Chengxiao; Weng Huimin; Ye Bangjiao; Zhou Xianyi; Han Rongdian; Yang Xiaojie

2005-01-01

Native defects in ZnO films grown by radio frequency (RF) reactive magnetron sputtering under variable oxygen fraction conditions have been investigated by using monoenergetic positrons beam technique. The results show that the same type defects dominate in these ZnO samples grown at oxygen fraction less than 70% in the process chamber; and zinc vacancies are preponderant in the ZnO films fabricated in richer oxygen environment. The concentration of zinc vacancies increases with oxygen partial fraction rising. While oxygen fraction reaches 85%, zinc vacancies that could trap positrons decrease, which suggests that impurities could shield zinc vacancies. A combination between hydrogen atoms and the dangling bonds in the lattice could weaken the trap of positrons under the 50% oxygen fraction condition. The concentration of zinc vacancies varies in different oxygen fraction films, which is in agreement with the conclusion of photoluminescence spectroscopy. (authors)

Studies on intrinsic defects related to Zn vacancy in ZnO nanoparticles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Singh, V.P.; Das, D.; Rath, Chandana

2013-01-01

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► Williamson–Hall analysis of ZnO indicates strain in the lattice and size is of 20 nm. ► PL shows a broad emission peak in visible range due to native defects. ► Raman active modes corresponding to P6 3 mc and a few additional modes are observed. ► FTIR detects few local vibrational modes of hydrogen attached to zinc vacancies. ► V Zn -H and Zn + O divacancies are confirmed by PAS. -- Abstract: ZnO being a well known optoelectronic semiconductor, investigations related to the defects are very promising. In this report, we have attempted to detect the defects in ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by the conventional coprecipitation route using various spectroscopic techniques. The broad emission peak observed in photoluminescence spectrum and the non zero slope in Williamson–Hall analysis indicate the defects induced strain in the ZnO lattice. A few additional modes observed in Raman spectrum could be due to the breakdown of the translation symmetry of the lattice caused by defects and/or impurities. The presence of impurities can be ruled out as XRD pattern shows pure wurtzite structure. The presence of the vibrational band related to the Zn vacancies (V Zn ), unintentional hydrogen dopants and their complex defects confirm the defects in ZnO lattice. Positron life time components τ 1 and τ 2 additionally support V Zn attached to hydrogen and to a cluster of Zn and O di-vacancies respectively.

Prediction of high-temperature point defect formation in TiO2 from combined ab initio and thermodynamic calculations

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

He, J.; Behera, R.K.; Finnis, M.W.; Li, X.; Dickey, E.C.; Phillpot, S.R.; Sinnott, S.B.

2007-01-01

A computational approach that integrates ab initio electronic structure and thermodynamic calculations is used to determine point defect stability in rutile TiO 2 over a range of temperatures, oxygen partial pressures and stoichiometries. Both donors (titanium interstitials and oxygen vacancies) and acceptors (titanium vacancies) are predicted to have shallow defect transition levels in the electronic-structure calculations. The resulting defect formation energies for all possible charge states are then used in thermodynamic calculations to predict the influence of temperature and oxygen partial pressure on the relative stabilities of the point defects. Their ordering is found to be the same as temperature increases and oxygen partial pressure decreases: titanium vacancy → oxygen vacancy → titanium interstitial. The charges on these defects, however, are quite sensitive to the Fermi level. Finally, the combined formation energies of point defect complexes, including Schottky, Frenkel and anti-Frenkel defects, are predicted to limit the further formation of point defects

Experimental evidence for fast cluster formation of chain oxygen vacancies in YBa2Cu3O7-d being at the origin of the fishtail anomaly

OpenAIRE

Erb, Andreas; Manuel, Alfred A.; Dhalle, Marc; Marti, Frank; Genoud, Jean-Yves; Revaz, Bernard; Junod, Alain; Vasumathi, Dharmavaram; Ishibashi, Shoji; Shukla, Abhay; Walker, Eric; Fischer, Oystein; Fluekiger, Rene; Pozzi, Riccardo; Mali, Mihael

1998-01-01

We report on three different and complementary measurements, namely magnetisation measurements, positron annihilation spectroscopy and NMR measurements, which give evidence that the formation of oxygen vacancy clusters is on the origin of the fishtail anomaly in YBa2Cu3O7-d. While in the case of YBa2Cu3O7.0 the anomaly is intrinsically absent, it can be suppressed in the optimally doped state where vacancies are present. We therefore conclude that the single vacancies or point defects can not...

Thermal evolution of defects in undoped zinc oxide grown by pulsed laser deposition

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Wang, Zilan; Su, Shichen; Ling, Francis Chi-Chung, E-mail: ccling@hku.hk [Department of Physics, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong (China); Anwand, W.; Wagner, A. [Institute of Radiation Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Bautzner Landstr. 400, 01328 Dresden (Germany)

2014-07-21

Undoped ZnO films are grown by pulsed laser deposition on c-plane sapphire with different oxygen pressures. Thermal evolutions of defects in the ZnO films are studied by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), Raman spectroscopy, and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS), and with the electrical properties characterized by the room temperature Hall measurement. Oxygen deficient defect related Raman lines 560 cm{sup −1} and 584 cm{sup −1} are identified and their origins are discussed. Thermal annealing induces extensive Zn out-diffusion at the ZnO/sapphire interface and leaves out Zn-vacancy in the ZnO film. Two types of Zn-vacancy related defects with different microstructures are identified in the films. One of them dominates in the samples grown without oxygen. Annealing the sample grown without oxygen or growing the samples in oxygen would favor the Zn-vacancy with another microstructure, and this Zn-vacancy defect persists after 1100 °C annealing.

Thermal evolution of defects in undoped zinc oxide grown by pulsed laser deposition

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Zilan; Su, Shichen; Ling, Francis Chi-Chung; Anwand, W.; Wagner, A.

2014-07-01

Undoped ZnO films are grown by pulsed laser deposition on c-plane sapphire with different oxygen pressures. Thermal evolutions of defects in the ZnO films are studied by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), Raman spectroscopy, and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS), and with the electrical properties characterized by the room temperature Hall measurement. Oxygen deficient defect related Raman lines 560 cm-1 and 584 cm-1 are identified and their origins are discussed. Thermal annealing induces extensive Zn out-diffusion at the ZnO/sapphire interface and leaves out Zn-vacancy in the ZnO film. Two types of Zn-vacancy related defects with different microstructures are identified in the films. One of them dominates in the samples grown without oxygen. Annealing the sample grown without oxygen or growing the samples in oxygen would favor the Zn-vacancy with another microstructure, and this Zn-vacancy defect persists after 1100 °C annealing.

Thermal evolution of defects in undoped zinc oxide grown by pulsed laser deposition

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang, Zilan; Su, Shichen; Ling, Francis Chi-Chung; Anwand, W.; Wagner, A.

2014-01-01

Undoped ZnO films are grown by pulsed laser deposition on c-plane sapphire with different oxygen pressures. Thermal evolutions of defects in the ZnO films are studied by secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), Raman spectroscopy, and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS), and with the electrical properties characterized by the room temperature Hall measurement. Oxygen deficient defect related Raman lines 560 cm −1 and 584 cm −1 are identified and their origins are discussed. Thermal annealing induces extensive Zn out-diffusion at the ZnO/sapphire interface and leaves out Zn-vacancy in the ZnO film. Two types of Zn-vacancy related defects with different microstructures are identified in the films. One of them dominates in the samples grown without oxygen. Annealing the sample grown without oxygen or growing the samples in oxygen would favor the Zn-vacancy with another microstructure, and this Zn-vacancy defect persists after 1100 °C annealing.

Significant room-temperature ferromagnetism in porous ZnO films: The role of oxygen vacancies

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hou, Xue; Liu, Huiyuan [College of Physics Science & Information Engineering, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Key Laboratory of Advanced Films of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Sun, Huiyuan, E-mail: huiyuansun@126.com [College of Physics Science & Information Engineering, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Key Laboratory of Advanced Films of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Liu, Lihu; Jia, Xiaoxuan [College of Physics Science & Information Engineering, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China); Key Laboratory of Advanced Films of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang 050024 (China)

2015-10-15

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Porous ZnO films were deposited on porous anodic alumina substrates. • Significant ferromagnetism (FM) has been observed in porous ZnO films (110 emu/cm{sup 3}). • The strong magnetic anisotropy was observed in the porous ZnO films. • The origin of FM is attributed to the oxygen vacancy with a local magnetic moment. - Abstract: Pure porous ZnO films were prepared by direct current reactive magnetron sputtering on porous anodic alumina substrates. Remarkably large room-temperature ferromagnetism was observed in the films. The highest saturation moment along the out-of-plane direction was about 110 emu/cm{sup 3}. Experimental and theoretical results suggested that the oxygen vacancies and the unique porous structure of the films are responsible for the large ferromagnetism. There are two modes of coupling between oxygen vacancies in the porous ZnO films: (i) exchange interactions directly between the oxygen vacancies and (ii) with the mediation of conduction electrons. In addition, it was found that the magnetic moment of ZnO films can be changed by tuning the concentration of oxygen vacancies. These observations may be useful in the development of ZnO-based spintronics devices.

Hydrostatic pressure effects on oxygen-related irradiation-produced defects in silicon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stein, H.J.; Samara, G.A.

1989-01-01

Hydrostatic pressure has been used to investigate the E c -0.164 eV acceptor level for the oxygen-vacancy (O-V) defect in γ-ray irradiated Si, and the annealing/formation of oxygen-related defects in neutron-irradiated Si. The acceptor level is found to move closer to the conduction band and away from the valence band. There is also a relatively large inward (outward) breathing mode lattice relaxation accompanying electron emission (capture) from this level. Both results reflect the antibonding nature of the level and are qualitatively consistent with the Watkins-Corbett model for the O-V defect. The annealing rate was found to increase with pressure for the O-V defect at 350 0 C with a derived activation volume of -4.5A 3 /defect, where the negative sign implies inward relaxation (contraction) on annealing. Pressure has relatively little effect on annealing of the C-Si-O C(3) defect which is interstitial in nature, but strongly favors the formation of the dioxygen defect. The intensity of the O 2 -V band after annealing at 20 kbar is 5 times higher than that following similar annealing at 0 kbar. This intensity is higher than that achievable by any isochronal or isothermal annealing steps at 0 kbar. These results are discussed qualitatively in terms of models for the various defects. (author)

Electronic and optical properties of vacancy defects in single-layer transition metal dichalcogenides

Science.gov (United States)

Khan, M. A.; Erementchouk, Mikhail; Hendrickson, Joshua; Leuenberger, Michael N.

2017-06-01

A detailed first-principles study has been performed to evaluate the electronic and optical properties of single-layer (SL) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) (M X 2 ; M = transition metal such as Mo, W, and X = S, Se, Te), in the presence of vacancy defects (VDs). Defects usually play an important role in tailoring electronic, optical, and magnetic properties of semiconductors. We consider three types of VDs in SL TMDCs: (i) X vacancy, (ii) X2 vacancy, and (iii) M vacancy. We show that VDs lead to localized defect states (LDS) in the band structure, which in turn gives rise to sharp transitions in in-plane and out-of-plane optical susceptibilities, χ∥ and χ⊥. The effects of spin-orbit coupling (SOC) are also considered. We find that SOC splitting in LDS is directly related to the atomic number of the transition metal atoms. Apart from electronic and optical properties we also find magnetic signatures (local magnetic moment of ˜μB ) in MoSe2 in the presence of the Mo vacancy, which breaks the time-reversal symmetry and therefore lifts the Kramers degeneracy. We show that a simple qualitative tight-binding model (TBM), involving only the hopping between atoms surrounding the vacancy with an on-site SOC term, is sufficient to capture the essential features of LDS. In addition, the existence of the LDS can be understood from the solution of the two-dimensional Dirac Hamiltonian by employing infinite mass boundary conditions. In order to provide a clear description of the optical absorption spectra, we use group theory to derive the optical selection rules between LDS for both χ∥ and χ⊥.

The defect chemistry of UO2 ± x from atomistic simulations

Science.gov (United States)

Cooper, M. W. D.; Murphy, S. T.; Andersson, D. A.

2018-06-01

Control of the defect chemistry in UO2 ± x is important for manipulating nuclear fuel properties and fuel performance. For example, the uranium vacancy concentration is critical for fission gas release and sintering, while all oxygen and uranium defects are known to strongly influence thermal conductivity. Here the point defect concentrations in thermal equilibrium are predicted using defect energies from density functional theory (DFT) and vibrational entropies calculated using empirical potentials. Electrons and holes have been treated in a similar fashion to other charged defects allowing for structural relaxation around the localized electronic defects. Predictions are made for the defect concentrations and non-stoichiometry of UO2 ± x as a function of oxygen partial pressure and temperature. If vibrational entropy is omitted, oxygen interstitials are predicted to be the dominant mechanism of excess oxygen accommodation over only a small temperature range (1265 K-1350 K), in contrast to experimental observation. Conversely, if vibrational entropy is included oxygen interstitials dominate from 1165 K to 1680 K (Busker potential) or from 1275 K to 1630 K (CRG potential). Below these temperature ranges, excess oxygen is predicted to be accommodated by uranium vacancies, while above them the system is hypo-stoichiometric with oxygen deficiency accommodated by oxygen vacancies. Our results are discussed in the context of oxygen clustering, formation of U4O9, and issues for fuel behavior. In particular, the variation of the uranium vacancy concentrations as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure will underpin future studies into fission gas diffusivity and broaden the understanding of UO2 ± x sintering.

Phononic thermal conductivity in silicene: the role of vacancy defects and boundary scattering

Science.gov (United States)

Barati, M.; Vazifehshenas, T.; Salavati-fard, T.; Farmanbar, M.

2018-04-01

We calculate the thermal conductivity of free-standing silicene using the phonon Boltzmann transport equation within the relaxation time approximation. In this calculation, we investigate the effects of sample size and different scattering mechanisms such as phonon–phonon, phonon-boundary, phonon-isotope and phonon-vacancy defect. We obtain some similar results to earlier works using a different model and provide a more detailed analysis of the phonon conduction behavior and various mode contributions. We show that the dominant contribution to the thermal conductivity of silicene, which originates from the in-plane acoustic branches, is about 70% at room temperature and this contribution becomes larger by considering vacancy defects. Our results indicate that while the thermal conductivity of silicene is significantly suppressed by the vacancy defects, the effect of isotopes on the phononic transport is small. Our calculations demonstrate that by removing only one of every 400 silicon atoms, a substantial reduction of about 58% in thermal conductivity is achieved. Furthermore, we find that the phonon-boundary scattering is important in defectless and small-size silicene samples, especially at low temperatures.

Interaction of hydrogen and oxygen with bulk defects and surfaces of metals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Besenbacher, F.

1994-05-01

The thesis deals with the interaction of hydrogen with defects in metals and the interaction of hydrogen and oxygen with metal surfaces studied by ion-beam techniques and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), respectively. The first part of the thesis discusses the interaction of hydrogen with simple defects in transition metals. The trap-binding enthalpies and the lattice location of hydrogen trapped to vacancies have been determined, and an extremely simple and versatile picture of the hydrogen-metal interaction has evolved, in which the trap strength is mainly determined by the local electron density. Any dilution of the lattice will lead to a trap, vacancies and voids being the strongest trap. It is found that hydrogen trapped to vacancies in fcc metals is quantum-mechanically delocalized, and the excitation energies for the hydrogen in the vacancy potential are a few MeV only. The interaction of hydrogen with metal surfaces is studied by the transmission channeling (TC) technique. It is found that hydrogen chemisorbs in the highest-coordinated sites on the surfaces, and that there is a direct relationship between the hydrogen-metal bond length and the coordination number for the hydrogen. In the final part of the thesis the dynamics of the chemisorption process for oxygen and hydrogen on metal surfaces is studied by STM, a fascinating and powerful technique for exploring the atomic-scale realm of surfaces. It is found that there is a strong coupling between the chemisorption process and the distortion of the metal surface. The adsorbates induce a surface reconstruction, i.e. metal-metal bond breaks and metal-adsorbate bounds form. Whereas hydrogen interacts weakly with the metals and induces reconstructions where only nnn metals bonds are broken, oxygen interacts strongly with the metal, and the driving force for the O-induced reconstructions appears to be the formation of low-coordinated metal-O rows, formed by breaking of nn metal bonds. Finally it is shown

Pinning by oxygen vacancies in high-Tc superconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chudnovsky, E.M.

1990-01-01

It is shown that recent data of Murray et al. on spatial correlations in flux lattices of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O (BSCCO) may be explained if one assumes that 1% of oxygen atoms in CuO 2 layers are missing. This estimate, being in remarkable agreement with that deduced by Kes and van der Beek from ac-susceptibility measurements, provides strong confidence that oxygen vacancies are the major source of pinning in BSCCO

Direct observation of oxygen-vacancy-enhanced polarization in a SrTiO{sub 3}-buffered ferroelectric BaTiO{sub 3} film on GaAs

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Qiao, Qiao [Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607 (United States); Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240 (United States); Materials Science and Technology Department, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 (United States); Zhang, Yuyang [Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240 (United States); Materials Science and Technology Department, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 (United States); Contreras-Guerrero, Rocio; Droopad, Ravi [Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas 78666 (United States); Pantelides, Sokrates T. [Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240 (United States); Materials Science and Technology Department, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 (United States); Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37240 (United States); Pennycook, Stephen J. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575 (Singapore); Ogut, Serdar; Klie, Robert F. [Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607 (United States)

2015-11-16

The integration of functional oxide thin-films on compound semiconductors can lead to a class of reconfigurable spin-based optoelectronic devices if defect-free, fully reversible active layers are stabilized. However, previous first-principles calculations predicted that SrTiO{sub 3} thin films grown on Si exhibit pinned ferroelectric behavior that is not switchable, due to the presence of interfacial vacancies. Meanwhile, piezoresponse force microscopy measurements have demonstrated ferroelectricity in BaTiO{sub 3} grown on semiconductor substrates. The presence of interfacial oxygen vacancies in such complex-oxide/semiconductor systems remains unexplored, and their effect on ferroelectricity is controversial. Here, we use a combination of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and first-principles density functional theory modeling to examine the role of interfacial oxygen vacancies on the ferroelectric polarization of a BaTiO{sub 3} thin film grown on GaAs. We demonstrate that interfacial oxygen vacancies enhance the polar discontinuity (and thus the single domain, out-of-plane polarization pinning in BaTiO{sub 3}), and propose that the presence of surface charge screening allows the formation of switchable domains.

Defect-impurity interactions in irradiated germanium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cleland, J.W.; James, F.J.; Westbrook, R.D.

1975-07-01

Results of experiments are used to formulate a better model for the structures of lattice defects and defect-impurity complexes in irradiated n-type Ge. Single crystals were grown by the Czochralski process from P, As, or Sb-doped melts, and less than or equal to 10 15 to greater than or equal to 10 17 oxygen cm -3 was added to the furnace chamber after approximately 1 / 3 of the crystal had been solidified. Hall coefficient and resistivity measurements (at 77 0 K) were used to determine the initial donor concentration due to the dopant and clustered oxygen, and infrared absorption measurements (at 11.7 μ) were used to determine the dissociated oxygen concentration. Certain impurity and defect-impurity interactions were then investigated that occurred as a consequence of selected annealing, quenching, Li diffusion, and irradiation experiments at approximately 300 0 K with 60 Co photons, 1.5 to 2.0 MeV electrons, or thermal energy neutrons. Particular attention was given to determining the electrical role of the irradiation produced interstitial and vacancy, and to look for any evidence from electrical and optical measurements of vacancy--oxygen, lithium--oxygen, and lithium--vacancy interactions. (U.S.)

Effect of annealing ambience on the formation of surface/bulk oxygen vacancies in TiO2 for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Science.gov (United States)

Hou, Lili; Zhang, Min; Guan, Zhongjie; Li, Qiuye; Yang, Jianjun

2018-01-01

The surface and bulk oxygen vacancy have a prominent effect on the photocatalytic performance of TiO2. In this study, TiO2 possessing different types and concentration of oxygen vacancies were prepared by annealing nanotube titanic acid (NTA) at various temperatures in air or vacuum atmosphere. TiO2 with the unitary bulk single-electron-trapped oxygen vacancies (SETOVs) formed when NTA were calcined in air. Whereas, TiO2 with both bulk and surface oxygen vacancies were obtained when NTA were annealed in vacuum. The series of TiO2 with different oxygen vacancies were systematically characterized by TEM, XRD, PL, XPS, ESR, and TGA. The PL and ESR analysis verified that surface oxygen vacancies and more bulk oxygen vacancies could form in vacuum atmosphere. Surface oxygen vacancies can trap electron and hinder the recombination of photo-generated charges, while bulk SETOVs act as the recombination center. The surface or bulk oxygen vacancies attributed different roles on the photo-absorbance and activity, leading that the sample of NTA-A400 displayed higher hydrogen evolution rate under UV light, whereas NTA-V400 displayed higher hydrogen evolution rate under visible light because bulk SETOVs can improve visible light absorption because sub-band formed by bulk SETOVs prompted the secondary transition of electron excited.

A study of vacancy-type defects in B+-implanted SiO2/Si by a slow positron beam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uedono, Akira; Tanigawa, Shoichiro; Sugiura, Jun; Ogasawara, Makoto.

1989-01-01

Variable-energy (0∼30 keV) positron beam studies have been carried out on 80 keV B + -implanted SiO 2 (43 nm)/Si specimens. Doppler broadening profiles of the positron annihilation as a function of the incident positron energy were shown to be quite sensitive for the detection of vacancy-type defects introduced by B + -implantation. The average depth of the defected regions was found to shift towards the surface of the specimen with increasing the dose of B + ions. This effect is attributed to the accumulation of vacancy-type defects at the SiO 2 /Si interface. Dominant defect species were identified as vacancy clusters by their annealing stage. (author)

In situ observation of thermal relaxation of interstitial-vacancy pair defects in a graphite gap.

Science.gov (United States)

Urita, Koki; Suenaga, Kazu; Sugai, Toshiki; Shinohara, Hisanori; Iijima, Sumio

2005-04-22

Direct observation of individual defects during formation and annihilation in the interlayer gap of double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNT) is demonstrated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The interlayer defects that bridge two adjacent graphen layers in DWNT are stable for a macroscopic time at the temperature below 450 K. These defects are assigned to a cluster of one or two interstitial-vacancy pairs (I-V pairs) and often disappear just after their formation at higher temperatures due to an instantaneous recombination of the interstitial atom with vacancy. Systematic observations performed at the elevated temperatures find a threshold for the defect annihilation at 450-500 K, which, indeed, corresponds to the known temperature for the Wigner energy release.

In situ observation of thermal relaxation of interstitial-vacancy pair defects in a graphite gap

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Urita, Koki; Suenaga, Kazu; Iijima, Sumio; Sugai, Toshiki; Shinohara, Hisanori

2005-01-01

Direct observation of individual defects during formation and annihilation in the interlayer gap of double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWNT) is demonstrated by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The interlayer defects that bridge two adjacent graphen layers in DWNT are stable for a macroscopic time at the temperature below 450 K. These defects are assigned to a cluster of one or two interstitial-vacancy pairs (I-V pairs) and often disappear just after their formation at higher temperatures due to an instantaneous recombination of the interstitial atom with vacancy. Systematic observations performed at the elevated temperatures find a threshold for the defect annihilation at 450-500 K, which, indeed, corresponds to the known temperature for the Wigner energy release

Oxygen vacancy effect on photoluminescence of KNb3O8 nanosheets

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Rui; Liu, Liying; Ming, Bangming; Ji, Yuhang; Wang, Ruzhi

2018-05-01

Fungus-like potassium niobate (KNb3O8) nanosheets have been synthesized on indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) glass substrates by a simple and environmental friendly two-step hydrothermal process. The prepared samples have been characterized by using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM), Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Furthermore, the photoluminescence (PL) of KNb3O8 nanosheets have been systematically studied. The results showed that the PL spectrum is between 300 and 645 nm with a 325 nm light excitation, which is divided into some sub-peaks. It is different from the perfect KNb3O8 nanosheets whose PL emission peaks located at near 433 nm. It should be originated from the effect of the oxygen (O) vacancies in the KNb3O8 nanosheets, which the PLs peaks can be found at about 490 nm and 530 nm by different position of O vacancy. The experimental results are in accordance with the first-principles calculations. Our results may present a feasible clue to estimate the defect position in KNb3O8 by the shape analysis of its spectrum of PLs.

Correlating oxygen vacancies and phase ratio/interface with efficient photocatalytic activity in mixed phase TiO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Verma, Ranjana; Samdarshi, S.K.

2015-01-01

Graphical abstract: The correlation of interfacial behavior and oxygen vacancies in mixed phase titania nanoparticles on their performance as photocatalyst has been investigated to explain the impact of photoactivity under UV and visible irradiation compared to pristine counterparts. The defects at the junction effectively reduce the band gap as well decrease the carrier recombination to enhance the photocatalytic activity. - Highlights: • Pristine and mixed phases (A/R ratio) TiO 2 synthesized by sol gel route. • Photoactivity variation has been correlated with the changes in the phase ratio. • Enhanced UV and visible activity attributable to oxygen vacancy present at the interface. • Role of A/R ratio and oxygen vacancy in the photoactivity of mixed TiO 2 depicted through a model. - Abstract: The photocatalytic activity is a result of the synergy of a succession of phenomena-photogeneration, separation, and participation of the charge carriers in redox reaction at the catalyst surface. While the extent of photogeneration is assessable in terms of absorption spectrum (band gap), the redox reaction can be correlated to specific surface area. However the respective change in the photocatalytic activity has not been rationally and consistently correlated with the above mentioned parameters. A satisfactory explanation of suppression of recombination based on separation of carriers due to differential mobility/diffusivity in the material phase(s) and/or intrinsic potential barrier exists but its correlation with common identifiable parameter/characteristics is still elusive. This paper attempts to address this issue by correlating the carrier separation with the phase ratio (phase interface) in mixed phase titania and generalizing it with the presence of oxygen vacancy at the phase interface. It essentially appears to complete the quest for identifiable parameters in the sequence of phenomena, which endow a photocatalyst with an efficient activity level. It has

Positronic probe of vacancy defects on surfaces of Au nanoparticles embedded in MgO

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Xu, Jun; Moxom, J.; Somieski, B.; White, C. W.; Mills, A. P.; Suzuki, R.; Ishibashi, S.

2001-01-01

Clusters of four atomic vacancies were found in Au nanoparticle-embedded MgO by positron lifetime spectroscopy [Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 4586 (1999)]. These clusters were also suggested to locate at the surface of Au nanoparticles by one-detector measurements of Doppler broadening of annihilation radiation. In this work we provide evidence, using two-detector coincidence experiments of Doppler broadening (2D-DBAR), to clarify that these vacancy clusters reside on the surfaces of Au nanoparticles. This work also demonstrates a method for identifying defects at nanomaterials interfaces: a combination of both positron lifetime spectroscopy, which tells the type of the defects, and 2D-DBAR measurements, which reveals chemical environment of the defects

Positronic probe of vacancy defects on surfaces of Au nanoparticles embedded in MgO

Science.gov (United States)

Xu, Jun; Moxom, J.; Somieski, B.; White, C. W.; Mills, A. P., Jr.; Suzuki, R.; Ishibashi, S.

2001-09-01

Clusters of four atomic vacancies were found in Au nanoparticle-embedded MgO by positron lifetime spectroscopy [Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 4586 (1999)]. These clusters were also suggested to locate at the surface of Au nanoparticles by one-detector measurements of Doppler broadening of annihilation radiation. In this work we provide evidence, using two-detector coincidence experiments of Doppler broadening (2D-DBAR), to clarify that these vacancy clusters reside on the surfaces of Au nanoparticles. This work also demonstrates a method for identifying defects at nanomaterials interfaces: a combination of both positron lifetime spectroscopy, which tells the type of the defects, and 2D-DBAR measurements, which reveals chemical environment of the defects.

Photoluminescence study of trap-state defect on TiO2 thin films at different substrate temperature via RF magnetron sputtering

Science.gov (United States)

Abdullah, S. A.; Sahdan, M. Z.; Nafarizal, N.; Saim, H.; Bakri, A. S.; Cik Rohaida, C. H.; Adriyanto, F.; Sari, Y.

2018-04-01

This paper highlights the defect levels using photoluminescence spectroscopy of TiO2 thin films. The TiO2 were deposited by Magnetron Sputtering system with 200, 300, 400, and 500 °C substrate temperature on microscope glass substrate. The PL result shows profound effect of various substrate temperatures to defect levels of oxygen vacancies and Ti3+ at titanium interstitial site. Increasing temperature would minimize the oxygen vacancy defect, however Ti3+ shows otherwise. Green region of PL consist of trapped hole for oxygen vacancy, while red region of PL is trapped electron associated to structural defect Ti3+. Green PL is dominant peak at temperature 200 °C, indicating that oxygen vacancy is the main defect at this temperature. However, PL peak shows slightly same value for others samples indicating that the temperature did not give high influence to other level of defect after 200 °C.

First-principles study of intrinsic vacancy defects in Sr2MgSi2O7 phosphorescent host material

Science.gov (United States)

Duan, H.; Dong, Y. Z.; Huang, Y.; Hu, Y. H.; Chen, X. S.

2016-01-01

Electronic structures of intrinsic vacancy defects in Sr2MgSi2O7 phosphorescent host material are investigated using first-principles calculations. Si vacancies are too high in energy to play any role in the persistent luminescence of Sr2MgSi2O7 phosphor. Mg vacancies form easier than Sr vacancies as a result of strain relief. Among all the vacancies, O1 vacancies stand out as a likely candidate because they are the most favorable in energy and introduce an empty triply degenerate state just below the CBM and a fully-occupied singlet state at ~1 eV above the VBM, constituting in this case effective hole trap level and electron trap levels, respectively. Mg vacancies are unlikely to explain the persistent luminescence because of its too shallow electron trap level but they may compensate the hole trap associated with O1 vacancies. We yield consistent evidence for the defect physics of these vacancy defects on the basis of the equilibrium properties of Sr2MgSi2O7, total-energy calculations, and electronic structures. The persistent luminescence mechanism of Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+, Dy3+ phosphor is also discussed based on our results for O1 vacancies trap center. Our results provide a guide to more refined experiments to control intrinsic traps, whereby probing synthetic strategies toward new improved phosphors.

Role of oxygen defects on the magnetic properties of ultra-small Sn1-xFexO2 nanoparticles

Science.gov (United States)

Dodge, Kelsey; Chess, Jordan; Eixenberger, Josh; Alanko, Gordon; Hanna, Charles B.; Punnoose, Alex

2013-05-01

Although the role of oxygen defects in the magnetism of metal oxide semiconductors has been widely discussed, it is been difficult to directly measure the oxygen defect concentration of samples to verify this. This work demonstrates a direct correlation between the photocatalytic activity of Sn1-xFexO2 nanoparticles and their magnetic properties. For this, a series of ˜2.6 nm sized, well characterized, single-phase Sn1-xFexO2 crystallites with x = 0-0.20 were synthesized using tin acetate, urea, and appropriate amounts of iron acetate. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the concentration and 3+ oxidation state of the doped Fe ions. The maximum magnetic moment/Fe ion, μ, of 1.6 × 10-4 μB observed for the 0.1% Fe doped sample is smaller than the expected spin-only contribution from either high or low spin Fe3+ ions, and μ decreases with increasing Fe concentration. This behavior cannot be explained by the existing models of magnetic exchange. Photocatalytic studies of pure and Fe-doped SnO2 were used to understand the roles of doped Fe3+ ions and of the oxygen vacancies and defects. The photocatalytic rate constant k also showed an increase when SnO2 nanoparticles were doped with low concentrations of Fe3+, reaching a maximum at 0.1% Fe, followed by a rapid decrease of k for further increase in Fe%. Fe doping presumably increases the concentration of oxygen vacancies, and both Fe3+ ions and oxygen vacancies act as electron acceptors to reduce e--h+ recombination and promote transfer of electrons (and/or holes) to the nanoparticle surface, where they participate in redox reactions. This electron transfer from the Fe3+ ions to local defect density of states at the nanoparticle surface could develop a magnetic moment at the surface states and leads to spontaneous ferromagnetic ordering of the surface shell under favorable conditions. However, at higher doping levels, the same Fe3+ ions might act as recombination centers causing a decrease of both k and

Vacancy identification in Co+ doped rutile TiO2 crystal with positron annihilation spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ma Minyang; Qin Xiubo; Wang Baoyi; Wu Weiming

2013-01-01

Background: Room temperature Diluted Magnetic Semiconductor (DMS) is a critical path in the study of spin-electronic devices, but there are many disputes in the intrinsic properties and origin of the room temperature ferromagnetism. Positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) is a powerful technique for evaluating vacancy-type defects. Purpose: We aim to establish the relationship between the defect structure and ferromagnetism of the materials by analyzing the parameters of positron annihilation. Methods: Co-doped rutile TiO 2 films were synthesized by ion implantation and extensively studied by variable energy positron annihilation Doppler broadening spectroscopy (DBS) and coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) measurements with variable energy slow positron beam for identification of the vacancies. Results: The results of DBS showed that a newly formed type of vacancy could be concluded by the S-W plot and the CDB results indicated that the oxygen vacancy (Vo) complex Ti-Co-Vo and/or Ti-Vo were formed with Co ions implantation and the vacancy concentration increased with increasing dopant dose. Conclusion: We identify that the generation of Ti-Vo and/or Ti-Co-Vo vacancy complex are induced by the existence of excess Ti 3d electrons around the oxygen vacancy. (authors)

Electro-oxidation of water on hematite: Effects of surface termination and oxygen vacancies investigated by first-principles

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Hellman, Anders; Iandolo, Beniamino; Wickman, Bjorn

2015-01-01

The oxygen evolution reaction on hydroxyl- and oxygen-terminated hematite was investigated using first-principle calculations within a theoretical electrochemical framework. Both pristine hematite and hematite containing oxygen vacancies were considered. The onset potential was determined to be 1...... on hematite occurs on the oxygen-terminated hematite, containing oxygen vacancies. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved....

Gamma-induced defect production in ZrO2-Y2O3 crystals with different defectiveness

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ashurov, M.Kh.; Amonov, M.Z.; Rakov, A.F.

2002-01-01

Full text: The defectiveness degree of ZrO 2 -Y 2 O 3 crystals depends on stabilizer concentration. The work is aimed at study gamma-induced defect production in crystals with different concentration of stabilizer and defects generated by neutron irradiation. Absorption spectra were measured with Specord M-40. It was found, that after gamma-irradiation of as-grown crystals up to some dose the intensity of absorption band at 420 nm reaches the maximum level of saturation. The dose of saturation depends of the concentration of stabilizer. It means that gamma-radiation does not produce any additional defects of structure. The oxygen vacancies existing in as-grown crystals are filled by the radiation induced electrons. Since the number of oxygen vacancies depends on the stabilizer concentration, then all these vacancies can be occupied by electrons at different gamma-doses. In crystals pre-irradiated with different neutron fluences followed by gamma-irradiation, the intensity of absorption bands at 420 and 530 nm increases in two stages. The gamma-dose of the second stage beginning decreases as the neutron fluence grows. The first stage of the absorption increase is due to developing of vacancies existing in as-grown crystals. The second stage is caused by generation of additional vacancies as the result of non-radiative exciton decay near the existing structure damages. The decrease of the gamma-dose, when the second stage of vacancy accumulation begins, results from the neutron induced structure damage degree

Stability, magnetic and electronic properties of cobalt–vacancy defect pairs in graphene: A first-principles study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Raji, Abdulrafiu T.; Lombardi, Enrico B.

2015-01-01

We report a first-principles investigation of the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of cobalt–vacancy defect complexes in graphene, within the framework of density-functional theory (DFT), incorporating DFT+U. Specifically, we consider the interactions of cobalt and vacancies in graphene, at varying separations and sub-lattices. We show that it is energetically favorable for substitutional Co in graphene to trap an additional vacancy in graphene, forming a Co–vacancy complex. In all the configurations considered, the most stable configuration is when the Co atom is embedded in a divacancy. The magnetic moment induced on the cobalt atom varies as the vacancy–cobalt separation changes, depending not only on the separation, but also on the sub-lattice of the vacancy relative to cobalt. Furthermore, for each separation and sub-lattice considered, the linear density of states of graphene is modified such that Dirac point is either not discernible or has shifted above the Fermi energy. Since individual vacancies or transition metal (TM) atoms, such as cobalt in graphene, have mostly been studied in isolation up to now, ignoring possible transition metal–vacancy interactions, these results have important implications to the fundamental understanding of TM–vacancy defect interactions in graphene

A first-principles study of oxygen vacancy induced changes in structural, electronic and magnetic properties of La{sub 2/3}Sr{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Jia [Division of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798 (Singapore); Sun, Lizhong [Division of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798 (Singapore); Laboratory for Quantum Engineering and Micro-Nano Energy Technology, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan, Hunan, 411105 (China); Shenai, Prathamesh M.; Wang, Junling [Division of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798 (Singapore); Zheng, Hang [Department of Physics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dong Chuan Road, Shanghai, 200240 (China); Zhao, Yang, E-mail: YZhao@ntu.edu.sg [Division of Materials Science, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798 (Singapore)

2015-11-15

We have systematically assessed the influence of oxygen vacancy defects on the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of La{sub 2/3}Sr{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3} via first-principles calculations using the bare GGA as well as the GGA + U formalism. The on-site Coulombic repulsion parameter U for Mn 3d orbital in the latter has been determined by the linear response theory. It is revealed that the introduction of the vacancy defects causes prominent structural changes in the microenvironment of a defect including the distortions of MnO{sub 6} octahedra. In contrast to the general notion, the GGA + U formalism is found to yield significantly more prominent structural changes than the bare GGA method. The octahedral distortion leads to a strengthening or weakening of the hybridization between Mn 3d and O 2p orbitals depending upon an increase or decrease, respectively, in the Mn–O distances as compared to the pristine system. The magnetic moments of the Mn atoms located in three typical sites of the vacancy-containing supercell are all larger than those in the pristine system. This enhancement for the Mn atoms located in the first- and third-nearest neighboring MnO{sub 6} octahedra of the vacancy defect originates from the electron transfer from 4s/3p to 3d orbitals. On the other hand, for the Mn atom located in the first-nearest neighboring site of the vacancy it is attributed to the increased total number of electrons in 3d orbitals due to the absence of one Mn–O bond. Furthermore, we have characterized the O-vacancy defect as a hole-type defect that forms a negative charge center, attracting electrons. - Highlights: • GGA + U calculations reveal effect of O-vacancy on properties of La{sub 1−1/3}Sr{sub 1/3}MnO{sub 3.} • Value of U = 5.9 eV calculated for Mn 3d orbitals from the linear response theory. • O-vacancy causes prominent distortions of MnO{sub 6} octahedra. • Octahedral distortions modulate electronic and magnetic properties of LSMO. �

Manipulating multiple order parameters via oxygen vacancies: The case of E u0.5B a0.5Ti O3 -δ

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Weiwei; He, Qian; Wang, Le; Zeng, Huizhong; Bowlan, John; Ling, Langsheng; Yarotski, Dmitry A.; Zhang, Wenrui; Zhao, Run; Dai, Jiahong; Gu, Junxing; Shen, Shipeng; Guo, Haizhong; Pi, Li; Wang, Haiyan; Wang, Yongqiang; Velasco-Davalos, Ivan A.; Wu, Yangjiang; Hu, Zhijun; Chen, Bin; Li, Run-Wei; Sun, Young; Jin, Kuijuan; Zhang, Yuheng; Chen, Hou-Tong; Ju, Sheng; Ruediger, Andreas; Shi, Daning; Borisevich, Albina Y.; Yang, Hao

2017-09-01

Controlling functionalities, such as magnetism or ferroelectricity, by means of oxygen vacancies (VO) is a key issue for the future development of transition-metal oxides. Progress in this field is currently addressed through VO variations and their impact on mainly one order parameter. Here we reveal a mechanism for tuning both magnetism and ferroelectricity simultaneously by using VO. Combining experimental and density-functional theory studies of E u0.5B a0.5Ti O3 -δ , we demonstrate that oxygen vacancies create T i3 +3 d1 defect states, mediating the ferromagnetic coupling between the localized Eu 4 f7 spins, and increase an off-center displacement of Ti ions, enhancing the ferroelectric Curie temperature. The dual function of Ti sites also promises a magnetoelectric coupling in the E u0.5B a0.5Ti O3 -δ .

Vacancy-type defects in TiO2/SiO2/SiC dielectric stacks

Science.gov (United States)

Coleman, P. G.; Burrows, C. P.; Mahapatra, R.; Wright, N. G.

2007-07-01

Open-volume (vacancy-type) point defects have been observed in ˜80-nm-thick titanium dioxide films grown on silicon dioxide/4H silicon carbide substrates as stacks with high dielectric constant for power device applications, using variable-energy positron annihilation spectroscopy. The concentration of vacancies decreases as the titanium dioxide growth temperature is increased in the range from 700to1000°C, whereas grain boundaries form in the polycrystalline material at the highest growth temperatures. It is proposed that the optimal electrical performance for films grown at 800°C reflects a balance between decreasing vacancy concentration and increasing grain boundary formation. The concentration of vacancies at the silicon dioxide/silicon carbide interface appears to saturate after 2.5h oxidation at 1150°C. A supplementary result suggests that the quality of the 10-μm-thick deposited silicon carbide epilayer is compromised at depths of about 2μm and beyond, possibly by the migration of impurities and/or other defects from the standard-grade highly doped 4H silicon carbide wafer beneath the epilayer during oxidation.

Effect of oxygen defects on transport properties and Tc of YBa2Cu3O6+x: Displacement energy for plane and chain oxygen and implications for irradiation-induced resistivity and Tc suppression

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tolpygo, S.K.; Lin, J.; Gurvitch, M.; Hou, S.Y.; Phillips, J.M.

1996-01-01

The effect of electron irradiation with energy from 20 to 120 keV on the resistivity, Hall coefficient, and superconducting critical temperature T c of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+x thin films has been studied. The threshold energy of incident electrons for T c suppression has been found, and the displacement energy for oxygen in CuO 2 planes has been evaluated as 8.4 eV for irradiation along the c axis. The kinetics of production of the in-plane oxygen vacancies has been studied and found to be governed by athermal recombination of vacancy-interstitial pairs. The evaluated recombination volume constitutes about 21 unit cells. The increase in the T-linear resistivity slope and Hall coefficient at unchanged T c was observed in irradiations with subthreshold incident energies and was ascribed to the effect of chain oxygen displacements. The upper limit on the displacement energy for chain oxygen has been estimated as 2.8 eV. In x=0.9 samples the T c suppression by in-plane oxygen defects and increase in residual resistivity have been found to be, respectively, -280 K and 1.5 mΩcm per defect in the unit cell. It is shown that T c suppression by in-plane oxygen defects is a universal function of the transport impurity scattering rate and can be described qualitatively by pair-breaking theory for d-wave superconductors with nonmagnetic potential scatterers. Evaluation of scattering and pair-breaking rates as well as the scattering cross section and potential is given. A comparison of the influence of in-plane oxygen defects on transport properties with that of other in-plane defects, such as Zn and Ni substitutions for Cu, is also made. copyright 1996 The American Physical Society

Migration mechanisms and diffusion barriers of vacancies in Ga2O3

Science.gov (United States)

Kyrtsos, Alexandros; Matsubara, Masahiko; Bellotti, Enrico

2017-06-01

We employ the nudged elastic band and the dimer methods within the standard density functional theory (DFT) formalism to study the migration of the oxygen and gallium vacancies in the monoclinic structure of β -Ga2O3 . We identify all the first nearest neighbor paths and calculate the migration barriers for the diffusion of the oxygen and gallium vacancies. We also identify the metastable sites of the gallium vacancies which are critical for the diffusion of the gallium atoms. The migration barriers for the diffusion of the gallium vacancies are lower than the migration barriers for oxygen vacancies by 1 eV on average, suggesting that the gallium vacancies are mobile at lower temperatures. Using the calculated migration barriers we estimate the annealing temperature of these defects within the harmonic transition state theory formalism, finding excellent agreement with the observed experimental annealing temperatures. Finally, we suggest the existence of percolation paths which enable the migration of the species without utilizing all the migration paths of the crystal.

Spin-dependent recombination involving oxygen-vacancy complexes in silicon

Science.gov (United States)

Franke, David P.; Hoehne, Felix; Vlasenko, Leonid S.; Itoh, Kohei M.; Brandt, Martin S.

2014-05-01

Spin-dependent relaxation and recombination processes in γ-irradiated n-type Czochralski-grown silicon are studied using continuous wave (cw) and pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR). Two processes involving the SL1 center, the neutral excited triplet state of the oxygen-vacancy complex, are observed which can be separated by their different dynamics. One of the processes is the relaxation of the excited SL1 state to the ground state of the oxygen-vacancy complex, the other a charge transfer between 31P donors and SL1 centers forming close pairs, as indicated by electrically detected electron double resonance. For both processes, the recombination dynamics is studied with pulsed EDMR techniques. We demonstrate the feasibility of true zero-field cw and pulsed EDMR for spin-1 systems and use this to measure the lifetimes of the different spin states of SL1 also at vanishing external magnetic field.

First-principles study of Cu adsorption on vacancy-defected/Au-doped graphene

Science.gov (United States)

Liu, Yang; An, Libao; Gong, Liang

2018-04-01

To enhance the interaction between Cu and graphene in graphene reinforced Cu matrix composites, the first principles calculation was carried out to study the adsorption of Cu atoms on graphene. P-type doping and n-type doping were formed, respectively, on vacancy-defected and Au-doped graphene based on band structure analysis, and this was verified by subsequent investigation on density of states. A computation on charge transfer confirmed that p-type doping could promote the electron transport between Cu and graphene, while n-type doping would prevent it. In addition, adsorption energy and Mulliken population analysis revealed that both vacancy defects and Au doping could improve the stability of the Cu-graphene system. The research conducted in this paper provides useful guidance for the preparation of Cu/graphene composites.

Annealing of the Sb-vacancy and a closely related radiation induced defect in n-type germanium

Science.gov (United States)

Barnard, Abraham W.; Auret, F. D.; Meyer, W. E.

2018-04-01

Deep level transient spectroscopy was used to study the defects induced by alpha-particle irradiation from an Am241 source in antimony doped n-type germanium. Previous investigations of the well know Sb-vacancy defect have led to the discovery of a second defect with very similar emission properties, referred to as the E‧. Although both defects have similar emission rates, they have very different annealing properties. In this study we further investigated these properties of the E‧ in Sb doped samples irradiated at 270 K with alpha particles from an Am241 source. Laplace deep level transient spectroscopy was used to determine the concentration of each defect. An isothermal annealing study of the E‧ was carried out in the temperature range 300 K to 325 K in 5 K increments, while the Sb-vacancy was annealed out completely at 410 K onwards, long after the E‧ was completely annealed out. The annealing activation energy was determined through isothermal annealing profiles for both the Sb-Vacancy and the E‧ as 1.05 eV and 0.73 eV respectively with a prefactor of 2.05 × 109 s-1 and 2.7 × 108 s-1.

Large bandgap narrowing in rutile TiO2 aimed towards visible light applications and its correlation with vacancy-type defects history and transformation

Science.gov (United States)

Nair, Radhika V.; Gayathri, P. K.; Siva Gummaluri, Venkata; Nambissan, P. M. G.; Vijayan, C.

2018-01-01

Extension of photoactivity of TiO2 to the visible region is achievable via effective control over the intrinsic defects such as oxygen and Ti vacancies, which has several applications in visible photocatalysis and sensing. We present here the first observation of an apparent bandgap narrowing and bandgap tuning effect due to vacancy cluster transformation in rutile TiO2 structures to 1.84 eV from the bulk bandgap of 3 eV. A gradual transformation of divacancies (V Ti-O) to tri vacancies ({{V}Ti-O-T{{i-}}} ) achieved through a controlled solvothermal scheme appears to result in an apparent narrowing bandgap and tunability, as supported by positron annihilation lifetime and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy measurements. Visible photocatalytic activity of the samples is demonstrated in terms of photodegradation of rhodamine B dye molecules.

Characterization of vacancy type defects in Electronic Materials by Positron Lifetime and Age-Momentum Correlation Spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Suzuki, Ryoichi; Ohdaira, Toshiyuki

2002-03-01

Positron annihilation spectroscopy is known to be sensitive to vacancy type defects. At the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Japan, the authors have developed a measurement system which enables us to perform depth-selective positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and positron age-momentum correlation (AMOC) spectroscopy with an intense slow positron beam. PALS gives us information on the size of vacancies whereas AMOC gives us information on not only vacancy sizes but also impurities or chemical environments. Using this system, we have carried out defect characterization experiments on various electronic materials, e.g. ion implanted Si, SiO2/Si, MOS, CVD or SOD (spin-on-dielectric) grown low dielectric insulator films, etc.

Effect of germanium doping on the annealing characteristics of oxygen and carbon-related defects in Czochralski silicon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Londos, C. A.; Andrianakis, A.; Sgourou, E. N.; Emtsev, V.; Ohyama, H.

2010-01-01

This paper is devoted to the annealing studies of defects produced in carbon-rich Ge-doped Czochralski-grown Si (Cz-Si) by 2 MeV electron irradiation. The annealing temperature of vacancy-oxygen (VO) complexes, carbon interstitial-oxygen interstitial (C i O i ), and carbon interstitial-carbon substitutional (C i C s ) pairs as well as the formation temperature of vacancy-two oxygen (VO 2 ) complexes are monitored as a function of Ge concentration. It has been established that the annealing of C i O i and C i C s defects remains practically unaffected by the Ge presence, whereas the annealing temperature of VO defects and the formation temperature of VO 2 complexes are substantially lowered at Ge concentrations larger than 1x10 19 cm -3 . The hydrostatic component of elastic strains introduced by Ge atoms in the Si crystal lattice was calculated. It appears to be very small, at least insufficient to exert a pronounced effect upon the annealing behavior of radiation-produced defects. This conclusion is in line with what is observed for the C i O i and C i C s species. In the case of VO, whose annealing process in Cz-Si is concurrently conducted by two reaction paths VO+O i →VO 2 and VO+Si I →O i , we suggest that the latter reaction in Ge-doped Cz-Si is enhanced by emitting self-interstitials (Si I ) from loosely bound self-interstitial clusters predominantly formed around Ge impurity atoms. As a result, the liberation of self-interstitials at lower annealing temperatures leads to an enhanced annealing of VO defects. An enhanced formation of VO 2 complexes at lower temperatures is also discussed in terms of other reactions running in parallel with the reaction VO+Si I →O i .

Control of oxygen vacancies and Ce+3 concentrations in doped ceria nanoparticles via the selection of lanthanide element

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shehata, N.; Meehan, K.; Hudait, M.; Jain, N.

2012-01-01

The effect of lanthanides that have positive association energies with oxygen vacancies, such as samarium and neodymium, and the elements with negative association energies, such as holmium and erbium, on ionization state of cerium and, consequentially, the oxygen vacancy concentration in doped ceria nanoparticles are investigated in this article. Structural and optical characterizations of the doped and undoped ceria nanoparticles, synthesized using chemical precipitation, are carried out using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, optical absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. It is deduced that the negative association energy dopants decrease the conversion of Ce +4 into Ce +3 and, hence, scavenge the oxygen vacancies, evidenced by the observed increase in the allowed direct bandgap, decrease in the integrated fluorescence intensity, and increased the size of doped nanoparticles. The opposite trends are obtained when the positive association dopants are used. It is concluded that the determining factor as to whether a lanthanide dopant in ceria acts as a generator or scavenger of oxygen vacancies in ceria nanoparticles is the sign of the association energy between the element and the oxygen vacancies. The ability to tailor the ionization state of cerium and the oxygen vacancy concentration in ceria has applications in a broad range of fields, which include catalysis, biomedicine, electronics, and environmental sensing.

Nature of native defects in ZnO.

Science.gov (United States)

Selim, F A; Weber, M H; Solodovnikov, D; Lynn, K G

2007-08-24

This study revealed the nature of native defects and their roles in ZnO through positron annihilation and optical transmission measurements. It showed oxygen vacancies are the origin for the shift in the optical absorption band that causes the red or orange coloration. It also revealed experimental evidence that the donor nature of oxygen vacancy is approximately 0.7 eV. In addition, this work showed the Zn interstitial was not the donor in the as-grown ZnO and supported recent calculations that predicted hydrogen in an oxygen vacancy forms multicenter bonds and acts as a shallow donor.

Palladium nanoparticles/defective graphene composites as oxygen reduction electrocatalysts: A first-principles study

KAUST Repository

Liu, Xin

2012-02-02

The impact of graphene substrate-Pd nanoparticle interaction on the O, OH, and OOH adsorption that is directly related to the electrocatalytic performance of these composites in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has been investigated by first-principles-based calculations. The calculated binding energy of a Pd 13 nanoparticle on a single vacancy graphene is as high as -6.10 eV, owing to the hybridization between the dsp states of the Pd particles with the sp 2 dangling bonds at the defect sites. The strong interaction results in the averaged d-band center of the deposited Pd nanoparticles shifted away from the Fermi level from -1.02 to -1.45 eV. Doping the single vacancy graphene with B or N will further tune the average d-band center and also the activity of the composite toward O, OH, and OOH adsorption. The adsorption energies of O, OH, and OOH are reduced from -4.78, -4.38, and -1.56 eV on the freestanding Pd 13 nanoparticle to -4.57, -2.66, and -1.39 eV on Pd 13/single vacancy graphene composites, showing that the defective graphene substrate will not only stabilize the Pd nanoparticles but also reduce the adsorption energies of the O-containing species to the Pd particle, and so as the poisoning of the ORR active sites. © 2011 American Chemical Society.

First-principles studies on vacancy-modified interstitial diffusion mechanism of oxygen in nickel, associated with large-scale atomic simulation techniques

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fang, H. Z.; Shang, S. L.; Wang, Y.; Liu, Z. K.; Alfonso, D.; Alman, D. E.; Shin, Y. K.; Zou, C. Y.; Duin, A. C. T. van; Lei, Y. K.; Wang, G. F.

2014-01-01

This paper is concerned with the prediction of oxygen diffusivities in fcc nickel from first-principles calculations and large-scale atomic simulations. Considering only the interstitial octahedral to tetrahedral to octahedral minimum energy pathway for oxygen diffusion in fcc lattice, greatly underestimates the migration barrier and overestimates the diffusivities by several orders of magnitude. The results indicate that vacancies in the Ni-lattice significantly impact the migration barrier of oxygen in nickel. Incorporation of the effect of vacancies results in predicted diffusivities consistent with available experimental data. First-principles calculations show that at high temperatures the vacancy concentration is comparable to the oxygen solubility, and there is a strong binding energy and a redistribution of charge density between the oxygen atom and vacancy. Consequently, there is a strong attraction between the oxygen and vacancy in the Ni lattice, which impacts diffusion

Evidence for oxygen vacancy or ferroelectric polarization induced switchable diode and photovoltaic effects in BiFeO3 based thin films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Guo Yiping; Guo Bing; Dong Wen; Li Hua; Liu Hezhou

2013-01-01

The diode and photovoltaic effects of BiFeO 3 and Bi 0.9 Sr 0.1 FeO 3−δ polycrystalline thin films were investigated by poling the films with increased magnitude and alternating direction. It was found that both electromigration of oxygen vacancies and polarization flipping are able to induce switchable diode and photovoltaic effects. For the Bi 0.9 Sr 0.1 FeO 3−δ thin films with high oxygen vacancy concentration, reversibly switchable diode and photovoltaic effects can be observed due to the electromigration of oxygen vacancies under an electric field much lower than its coercive field. However, for the pure BiFeO 3 thin films with lower oxygen vacancy concentration, the reversibly switchable diode and photovoltaic effect is hard to detect until the occurrence of polarization flipping. The switchable diode and photovoltaic effects can be explained well using the concepts of Schottky-like barrier-to-Ohmic contacts resulting from the combination of oxygen vacancies and polarization. The sign of photocurrent could be independent of the direction of polarization when the modulation of the energy band induced by oxygen vacancies is large enough to offset that induced by polarization. The photovoltaic effect induced by the electromigration of oxygen vacancies is unstable due to the diffusion of oxygen vacancies or the recombination of oxygen vacancies with hopping electrons. Our work provides deep insights into the nature of diode and photovoltaic effects in ferroelectric films, and will facilitate the advanced design of switchable devices combining spintronic, electronic, and optical functionalities. (paper)

Oxygen vacancies as active sites for water dissociation on rutile TiO₂(110)

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Schaub, R.; Thostrup, P.; Lopez, Nuria

2001-01-01

to dissociate H2O through the transfer of one proton to a nearby oxygen atom, forming two hydroxyl groups for every vacancy. The amount of water dissociation is limited by the density of oxygen vacancies present on the clean surface exclusively. The dissociation process sets in as soon as molecular water...

Identifying the influence of the intrinsic defects in Gd-doped ZnO thin-films

KAUST Repository

Flemban, Tahani H.; Sequeira, M. C.; Zhang, Z.; Venkatesh, S.; Alves, E.; Lorenz, K.; Roqan, Iman S.

2016-01-01

Gd-doped ZnO thin films were prepared using pulsed laser deposition at different oxygen pressures and varied Gd concentrations. The effects of oxygen deficiency-related defects on the Gd incorporation, optical and structural properties, were explored by studying the impact of oxygen pressure during deposition and post-growth thermal annealing in vacuum. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry revealed that the Gd concentration increases with increasing oxygen pressure for samples grown with the same Gd-doped ZnO target. Unexpectedly, the c-lattice parameter of the samples tends to decrease with increasing Gd concentration, suggesting that Gd-defect complexes play an important role in the structural properties. Using low-temperature photoluminescence(PL), Raman measurements and density functional theory calculations, we identified oxygen vacancies as the dominant intrinsic point defects. PL spectra show a defect band related to oxygen vacancies for samples grown at oxygen deficiency.

Identifying the influence of the intrinsic defects in Gd-doped ZnO thin-films

KAUST Repository

Flemban, Tahani H.

2016-02-08

Gd-doped ZnO thin films were prepared using pulsed laser deposition at different oxygen pressures and varied Gd concentrations. The effects of oxygen deficiency-related defects on the Gd incorporation, optical and structural properties, were explored by studying the impact of oxygen pressure during deposition and post-growth thermal annealing in vacuum. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry revealed that the Gd concentration increases with increasing oxygen pressure for samples grown with the same Gd-doped ZnO target. Unexpectedly, the c-lattice parameter of the samples tends to decrease with increasing Gd concentration, suggesting that Gd-defect complexes play an important role in the structural properties. Using low-temperature photoluminescence(PL), Raman measurements and density functional theory calculations, we identified oxygen vacancies as the dominant intrinsic point defects. PL spectra show a defect band related to oxygen vacancies for samples grown at oxygen deficiency.

Temperature dependence of radiation induced defect creation in a-SiO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Devine, R.A.B.; Grouillet, A.; Berlivet, J.Y.

1988-01-01

The efficiency of oxygen vacancy defect creation in samples of amorphous SiO 2 subjected to ultraviolet laser or ionizing particle radiation (energetic H + ions) has been measured as a function of sample temperature during irradiation. For the case of laser radiation (E photon ≅ 5 eV) we find that vacancy centers are only created when the irradiation temperature is above 150 K. The efficiency of peroxy radical defect creation observed after post irradiation annealing is consistent with the behaviour of the oxygen vacancy creation efficiency. In samples with energetic protons, the opposite behaviour is observed and one finds that defect creation is enhanced as the implantation temperature is lowered. Possible physical mechanisms controlling the defect creation efficiency as a function of sample temperature and radiation are discussed. (orig.)

The effect of alloying elements on the vacancy defect evolution in electron-irradiated austenitic Fe-Ni alloys studied by positron annihilation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Druzhkov, A.P. [Institute of Metal Physics, Ural Branch RAS, 18 Kovalevskaya St., 620041 Ekaterinburg (Russian Federation)], E-mail: druzhkov@imp.uran.ru; Perminov, D.A.; Davletshin, A.E. [Institute of Metal Physics, Ural Branch RAS, 18 Kovalevskaya St., 620041 Ekaterinburg (Russian Federation)

2009-01-31

The vacancy defect evolution under electron irradiation in austenitic Fe-34.2 wt% Ni alloys containing oversized (aluminum) and undersized (silicon) alloying elements was investigated by positron annihilation spectroscopy at temperatures between 300 and 573 K. It is found that the accumulation of vacancy defects is considerably suppressed in the silicon-doped alloy. This effect is observed at all the irradiation temperatures. The obtained results provide evidence that the silicon-doped alloy forms stable low-mobility clusters involving several Si and interstitial atoms, which are centers of the enhanced recombination of migrating vacancies. The clusters of Si-interstitial atoms also modify the annealing of vacancy defects in the Fe-Ni-Si alloy. The interaction between small vacancy agglomerates and solute Al atoms is observed in the Fe-Ni-Al alloy under irradiation at 300-423 K.

Metastable and bistable defects in silicon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mukashev, Bulat N; Abdullin, Kh A; Gorelkinskii, Yurii V

2000-01-01

Existing data on the properties and structure of metastable and bistable defects in silicon are analyzed. Primary radiation-induced defects (vacancies, self-interstitial atoms, and Frenkel pairs), complexes of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and other impurity atoms and defects with negative correlation energy are considered. (reviews of topical problems)

The role of Co impurities and oxygen vacancies in the ferromagnetism of Co-doped SnO2: GGA and GGA+U studies

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang Hongxia; Yan Yu; Mohammed, Y. Sh.; Du Xiaobo; Li Kai; Jin Hanmin

2009-01-01

The electronic structure and ferromagnetic stability of Co-doped SnO 2 are studied using the first-principle density functional method within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and GGA+U schemes. The addition of effective U Co transforms the ground state of Co-doped SnO 2 to insulating from half-metallic and the coupling between the nearest neighbor Co spins to weak antimagnetic from strong ferromagnetic. GGA+U Co calculations show that the pure substitutional Co defects in SnO 2 cannot induce the ferromagnetism. Oxygen vacancies tend to locate near Co atoms. Their presence increases the magnetic moment of Co and induces the ferromagnetic coupling between two Co spins with large Co-Co distance. The calculated density of state and spin density distribution calculated by GGA+U Co show that the long-range ferromagnetic coupling between two Co spins is mediated by spin-split impurity band induced by oxygen vacancies. More charge transfer from impurity to Co-3d states and larger spin split of Co-3d and impurity states induced by the addition of U Co enhance the ferromagnetic stability of the system with oxygen vacancies. By applying a Coulomb U O on O 2 s orbital, the band gap is corrected for all calculations and the conclusions derived from GGA+U Co calculations are not changed by the correction of band gap.

Phosphorous–vacancy–oxygen defects in silicon

KAUST Repository

Wang, Hao; Chroneos, Alexander; Hall, D.; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo; Sgourou, E. N.

2013-01-01

Electronic structure calculations employing the hybrid functional approach are used to gain fundamental insight in the interaction of phosphorous with oxygen interstitials and vacancies in silicon. It recently has been proposed, based on a binding

High temperature thermoelectric properties of strontium titanate thin films with oxygen vacancy and niobium doping

KAUST Repository

Sarath Kumar, S. R.; Barasheed, Abeer Z.; Alshareef, Husam N.

2013-01-01

We report the evolution of high temperature thermoelectric properties of SrTiO3 thin films doped with Nb and oxygen vacancies. Structure-property relations in this important thermoelectric oxide are elucidated and the variation of transport properties with dopant concentrations is discussed. Oxygen vacancies are incorporated during growth or annealing in Ar/H2 above 800 K. An increase in lattice constant due to the inclusion of Nb and oxygen vacancies is found to result in an increase in carrier density and electrical conductivity with simultaneous decrease in carrier effective mass and Seebeck coefficient. The lattice thermal conductivity at 300 K is found to be 2.22 W m-1 K-1, and the estimated figure of merit is 0.29 at 1000 K. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

High temperature thermoelectric properties of strontium titanate thin films with oxygen vacancy and niobium doping

KAUST Repository

Sarath Kumar, S. R.

2013-08-14

We report the evolution of high temperature thermoelectric properties of SrTiO3 thin films doped with Nb and oxygen vacancies. Structure-property relations in this important thermoelectric oxide are elucidated and the variation of transport properties with dopant concentrations is discussed. Oxygen vacancies are incorporated during growth or annealing in Ar/H2 above 800 K. An increase in lattice constant due to the inclusion of Nb and oxygen vacancies is found to result in an increase in carrier density and electrical conductivity with simultaneous decrease in carrier effective mass and Seebeck coefficient. The lattice thermal conductivity at 300 K is found to be 2.22 W m-1 K-1, and the estimated figure of merit is 0.29 at 1000 K. © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Irradiation induced defects containing oxygen atoms in germanium crystal as studied by deep level transient spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fukuoka, Noboru; Kambe, Yoshiyuki; Saito, Haruo; Matsuda, Koji.

1984-05-01

Deep level transient spectroscopy was applied to the electron trapping levels which are associated with the irradiation induced lattice defects in germanium crystals. The germanium crystals used in the study were doped with oxygen, antimony or arsenic and the defects were formed by electron irradiation of 1.5MeV or 10MeV. The nature of so called ''thermal defect'' formed by heat treatment at about 670K was also studied. The trapping levels at Esub(c)-0.13eV, Esub(c)-0.25eV and Esub(c)-0.29eV were found to be associated with defects containing oxygen atoms. From the experimental results the Esub(c)-0.25eV level was attributed to the germanium A-center (interstitial oxygen atom-vacancy pair). Another defect associated with the 715cm -1 infrared absorption band was found to have a trapping level at the same position at Esub(c)-0.25eV. The Esub(c)-0.23eV and Esub(c)-0.1eV levels were revealed to be associated with thermal donors formed by heat treatment at about 670K. Additional two peaks (levels) were observed in the DLTS spectrum. The annealing behavior of the levels suggests that the thermal donors originate from not a single type but several types of defects. (author)

Study of vacancy-type defects by positron annihilation in ultrafine-grained aluminum severely deformed at room and cryogenic temperatures

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Su, L.H.; Lu, C.; He, L.Z.; Zhang, L.C.; Guagliardo, P.; Tieu, A.K.; Samarin, S.N.; Williams, J.F.; Li, H.J.

2012-01-01

Commercial-purity aluminum was processed by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) at room temperature (RT-ECAP) and cryogenic temperature (CT-ECAP) with liquid nitrogen cooling between two successive passes. It was found that the RT-ECAPed samples showed equiaxed microstructure after 4 and 8 ECAP passes, while the CT-ECAPed samples displayed slightly elongated microstructure and slightly smaller grain size. Moreover, the CT-ECAPed samples had higher hardness values than the RT-ECAPed samples subjected to the same amount of deformation. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) was used to investigate the evolution of vacancy-type defects during the ECAP deformation process. The results showed that three types of defects existed in the ECAPed samples: vacancies associated with dislocations, bulk monovacancies and bulk divacancies. The CT-ECAPed samples had a higher fraction of monovacancies and divacancies. These two types of defects are the major vacancy-type defects that can work as dislocation pinning centers and induce hardening, resulting in higher hardness values in the CT-ECAPed samples. A quantitative relationship between material hardness and the defect concentration and defect diffusion coefficient has been established.

Dependence of the electrical properties of defective single-walled carbon nanotubes on the vacancy density

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luo Yu-Pin; Tien Li-Gan; Tsai Chuen-Horng; Lee Ming-Hsien; Li Feng-Yin

2011-01-01

The relationship between the electric properties and the vacancy density in single-walled carbon nanotubes has been investigated from first principles as well as the dependence of the influencing range of a vacancy in the nanotube on the nanotube chirality. Compared with the long-range interaction of the vacancies in a single-walled carbon nanotube with non-zero chiral angle, a much shorter interaction was found between vacancies in a zigzag single-walled carbon nanotube. In this study, we investigated the bandstructure fluctuations caused by the nanotube strain, which depends on both the vacancy density and the tube chirality. These theoretical results provide new insight to understand the relationship between the local deformation of a defective single-walled carbon nanotube and its measurable electronic properties. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)

Investigation of the oxygen-vacancy (A-center) defect complex profile in neutron irradiated high resistivity silicon junction particle detectors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Li, Zheng; Kraner, H.W.; Verbitskaya, E.; Eremin, V.; Ivanov, A.; Rubinelli, F.A.; Fonash, S.J.

1992-02-01

Distributions of the A-center (oxygen-vacancy) in neutron silicon detectors have been studied using Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy. A-centers have been found to be nearly uniformly distributed in the silicon water depth for medium resistivity (0.1 - 0.2 kΩ-cm) silicon detectors. A positive filling pulse was needed to detect the A-centers in high resistivity (>4 kΩ-cm) silicon detectors, and this effect was found to be dependent on the oxidation temperature. A discussion of this effect is presented. 16 refs

Defect identification in semiconductors with positron annihilation: experiment and theory

Science.gov (United States)

Tuomisto, Filip

2015-03-01

Positron annihilation spectroscopy is a very powerful technique for the detection, identification and quantification of vacancy-type defects in semiconductors. In the past decades, it has been used to reveal the relationship between opto-electronic properties and specific defects in a wide variety of materials - examples include parasitic yellow luminescence in GaN, dominant acceptor defects in ZnO and broad-band absorption causing brown coloration in natural diamond. In typical binary compound semiconductors, the selective sensitivity of the technique is rather strongly limited to cation vacancies that possess significant open volume and suitable charge (negative of neutral). On the other hand, oxygen vacancies in oxide semiconductors are a widely debated topic. The properties attributed to oxygen vacancies include the inherent n-type conduction, poor p-type dopability, coloration (absorption), deep level luminescence and non-radiative recombination, while the only direct experimental evidence of their existence has been obtained on the crystal surface. We will present recent advances in combining state-of-the-art positron annihilation experiments and ab initio computational approaches. The latter can be used to model both the positron lifetime and the electron-positron momentum distribution - quantities that can be directly compared with experimental results. We have applied these methods to study vacancy-type defects in III-nitride semiconductors (GaN, AlN, InN) and oxides such as ZnO, SnO2, In2O3andGa2O3. We will show that cation-vacancy-related defects are important compensating centers in all these materials when they are n-type. In addition, we will show that anion (N, O) vacancies can be detected when they appear as complexes with cation vacancies.

Vacancy-type defects and their annealing processes in ion-implanted Si studied by a variable-energy positron beam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uedono, A.; Wei, L.; Tanigawa, S.; Sugiura, J.; Ogasawara, M.

1992-01-01

Vacancy-type defects in B + -, P + - and Si + -ion implanted SiO 2 (43 nm)/Si(100) and Si(100) were studied by a variable-energy positron beam. Depth distributions of vacancy-type defects were obtained from measurements of Doppler broadening profiles of the positron annihilation as a function of incident positron energy. For 200-keV P + -implanted specimen with a dose of 5 x 10 13 P/cm 2 , the damaged layers induced by ion-implantation were found to extend far beyond the stopping range of P-atoms. For 80-keV B + -implanted SiO 2 (43 nm)/Si(100) specimens with different ion-currents, an increase of the ion-current introduced a homogeneous amorphous layer in the subsurface region. Dominant defect species in B + - and P + -implanted specimen were identified as vacancy clusters from their annealing behavior. (author)

Oxygen vacancy doping of hematite analyzed by electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power measurements

Science.gov (United States)

Mock, Jan; Klingebiel, Benjamin; Köhler, Florian; Nuys, Maurice; Flohre, Jan; Muthmann, Stefan; Kirchartz, Thomas; Carius, Reinhard

2017-11-01

Hematite (α -F e2O3 ) is known for poor electronic transport properties, which are the main drawback of this material for optoelectronic applications. In this study, we investigate the concept of enhancing electrical conductivity by the introduction of oxygen vacancies during temperature treatment under low oxygen partial pressure. We demonstrate the possibility of tuning the conductivity continuously by more than five orders of magnitude during stepwise annealing in a moderate temperature range between 300 and 620 K. With thermoelectric power measurements, we are able to attribute the improvement of the electrical conductivity to an enhanced charge-carrier density by more than three orders of magnitude. We compare the oxygen vacancy doping of hematite thin films with hematite nanoparticle layers. Thereby we show that the dominant potential barrier that limits charge transport is either due to grain boundaries in hematite thin films or due to potential barriers that occur at the contact area between the nanoparticles, rather than the potential barrier within the small polaron hopping model, which is usually applied for hematite. Furthermore, we discuss the transition from oxygen-deficient hematite α -F e2O3 -x towards the magnetite F e3O4 phase of iron oxide at high density of vacancies.

First-principle study of SO{sub 2} molecule adsorption on Ni-doped vacancy-defected single-walled (8,0) carbon nanotubes

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Wei; Lu, Xiao-Min; Li, Guo-Qing; Ma, Juan-Juan; Zeng, Peng-Yu; Chen, Jun-Fang; Pan, Zhong-Liang; He, Qing-Yu

2016-02-28

Graphical abstract: These two figures reflect the orbital bonding between SO{sub 2} molecule and the SV-2-CNT and Ni-SV-2-CNT. Which indicated the feasibility of making the sensors for SO{sub 2} molecule detecting with introducing vacancies, Ni atoms or combination of them. - Highlights: • The paper reports the effects of vacancy and Ni doping vacancy on CNT adsorbing SO{sub 2}. • Vacancies and Ni doping vacancies both can improve the sensitivity of CNT to SO{sub 2}. • Vacancies and Ni-doped vacancies CNTs are candidate material for SO{sub 2} detecting. - Abstract: To explore the possible way of detecting the poisonous gas SO{sub 2}, we have investigated the interactions between SO{sub 2} molecule and modified (8,0) single-walled carbon nanotubes by using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The adsorption energies, interaction distances, changes of geometric and electronic structures were all analyzed to investigate the sensitivity of variety of models of CNTs with Ni doping, vacancies, and a combination of them toward SO{sub 2} molecule. From our investigations, we found that SO{sub 2} molecule was more likely to be absorbed on vacancy-defected CNTs with relatively higher adsorption energy and shorter binding distance compared with the perfect CNTs. In addition, after doping Ni atom on the vacancies, the modified CNTs which were not very much sensitivity to SO{sub 2} molecule could become much sensitivity to it. In other words, the number of sensitive adsorption sites increased. The partial density of states (PDOS) and the electron concentration of the adsorption systems suggested the strong electrons interaction between SO{sub 2} molecule and defected or Ni-doped defected CNTs. Therefore the vacancies and Ni-doped vacancies CNTs had the potential capacities to make the sensors for SO{sub 2} molecule detecting.

Density functional study on the heterogeneous oxidation of NO over α-Fe_2O_3 catalyst by H_2O_2: Effect of oxygen vacancy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Song, Zijian; Wang, Ben; Yu, Jie; Ma, Chuan; Zhou, Changsong; Chen, Tao; Yan, Qianqian; Wang, Ke; Sun, Lushi

2017-01-01

Highlights: • NO and H_2O_2 adsorption on perfect and oxygen defect α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1) surface were studied by DFT calculations. • H_2O_2 shows high chemical reactivity for its adsorption on oxygen defect α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1) surface. • Oxygen vacancy plays an important role of the catalytic oxidation of NO by H_2O_2 over the α-Fe_2O_3 catalyst surfaces. • Mechanism of NO oxidation over α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1) surface by H_2O_2 was explained. - Abstract: Catalytic oxidation with H_2O_2 is a promising method for NOx emission control in coal-fired power plants. Hematite-based catalysts are attracting increased attention because of their surface redox reactivity. To elucidate the NO oxidation mechanism on α-Fe_2O_3 surfaces, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted by investigating the adsorption characteristics of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2) on perfect and oxygen defect α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1) surfaces. Results show that NO was molecularly adsorbed on two kinds of surfaces. H_2O_2 adsorption on perfect surface was also in a molecular form; however, H_2O_2 dissociation occurred on oxygen defect α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1) surface. The adsorption intensities of the two gas molecules in perfect α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1) surface followed the order NO > H_2O_2, and the opposite was true for the oxygen defect α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1). Oxygen vacancy remarkably enhanced the adsorption intensities of NO and H_2O_2 and promoted H_2O_2 decomposition on catalyst surface. As an oxidative product of NO, HNO_2 was synthesized when NO and H_2O_2 co-adsorbed on the oxygen defect α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1) surface. Analyses of Mulliken population, electron density difference, and partial density of states showed that H_2O_2 decomposition followed the Haber–Weiss mechanism. The trends of equilibrium constants suggested that NO adsorption on α-Fe_2O_3 (0 0 1) surface was more favorable at low than at high temperatures, whereas H_2O_2 adsorption was favorable between 375 and

Trapping of oxygen vacancies on twin walls of CaTiO3: a computer simulation study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Calleja, Mark; Dove, Martin T; Salje, Ekhard K H

2003-01-01

We have studied the atomic structure of [001] 90 deg. rotation twin walls in orthorhombic CaTiO 3 (symmetry Pbnm) at low temperature (10 K) and their effects on oxygen vacancies. The wall thickness was found to be 2.3 nm at T || T c and it was found that it is energetically favourable for such vacancies to reside in the wall, particularly when bridging titania ions in the (001) plane. The binding energy of an oxygen vacancy in the wall with respect to the bulk is calculated to be ≤ 1.2 eV

Effect of oxygen vacancy induced by pulsed magnetic field on the room-temperature ferromagnetic Ni-doped ZnO synthesized by hydrothermal method

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhong, Min [Shanghai University, Laboratory for Microstructures, School of Materials Science and Engineering, 149 Yanchang Road, 200072 Shanghai (China); Li, Ying, E-mail: liying62@shu.edu.cn [Shanghai University, Laboratory for Microstructures, School of Materials Science and Engineering, 149 Yanchang Road, 200072 Shanghai (China); Tariq, Muhammad; Hu, Yemin; Li, Wenxian; Zhu, Mingyuan; Jin, Hongmin [Shanghai University, Laboratory for Microstructures, School of Materials Science and Engineering, 149 Yanchang Road, 200072 Shanghai (China); Li, Yibing [School of Chemistry, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052 (Australia)

2016-08-05

Room temperature ferromagnetic 2% Ni doped ZnO rods were synthesized by high pulsed magnetic field-assisted hydrothermal method. A detailed study on the effect of high pulsed magnetic field on morphology, structural and magnetic properties of the ZnO rods has been carried out systematically by varying the intensity of field from 0 to 4 T. X-ray diffraction, Energy-dispersive spectroscopy measurements, and Raman spectra analysis suggest that all the samples have hexagonal wurtzite structure without detectable impurity. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images indicate that the particle size of samples decrease with increasing intensity of field. High resolution transmission electron microscopy observation ensures that the Ni ions addition do not change the wurtzite host matrix. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the incorporation of Ni elements as divalent state and the dominant presence of oxygen vacancies in samples fabricated under 4 T pulsed magnetic field. Hysteresis loops demonstrate that the saturation magnetization increased regularly with the mounting magnetic field. On the framework of bound magnetic polaron model, the rising content of oxygen vacancies, as donor defect, lead to the stronger ferromagnetism in samples with pulsed magnetic field. Our findings provide a new insight for tuning the defect density by precisely controlling the intensity of field in order to get the desired magnetic behavior at room temperature. - Graphical abstract: This figure shows the magnetization versus magnetic field curves for 2%Ni doped ZnO as prepared with 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 T pulsed magnetic field at 290 K. For 0 T sample, no ferromagnetic response is observed. But all the samples synthesized with field were well-defined hysteresis loops. The saturation magnetization estimated from the hysteresis loop come out to be ∼0.0024, 0.0023, 0.0036 and 0.0061 emu/g for 1 T, 2 T, 3 T and 4 T samples, respectively. As shown in the curves, the room

Oxygen permeation modelling of perovskites

NARCIS (Netherlands)

van Hassel, Bart A.; van Hassel, B.A.; Kawada, Tatsuya; Sakai, Natsuko; Yokokawa, Harumi; Dokiya, Masayuki; Bouwmeester, Henricus J.M.

1993-01-01

A point defect model was used to describe the oxygen nonstoichiometry of the perovskites La0.75Sr0.25CrO3, La0.9Sr0.1FeO3, La0.9Sr0.1CoO3 and La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 as a function of the oxygen partial pressure. Form the oxygen vacancy concentration predicte by the point defect model, the ionic conductivity

Chemical analysis using coincidence Doppler broadening and supporting first-principles theory: Applications to vacancy defects in compound semiconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Makkonen, I.; Rauch, C.; Mäki, J.-M.; Tuomisto, F.

2012-01-01

The Doppler broadening of the positron annihilation radiation contains information on the chemical environment of vacancy defects trapping positrons in solids. The measured signal can, for instance, reveal impurity atoms situated next to vacancies. As compared to integrated quantities such as the positron annihilation rate or the annihilation line shape parameters, the full Doppler spectrum measured in the coincidence mode contains much more useful information for defect identification. This information, however, is indirect and complementary understanding is needed to fully interpret the results. First-principles calculations are a valuable tool in the analysis of measured spectra. One can construct an atomic-scale model for a given candidate defect, calculate from first principles the corresponding Doppler spectrum, and directly compare results between experiment and theory. In this paper we discuss recent examples of successful combinations of coincidence Doppler broadening measurements and supporting first-principles calculations. These demonstrate the predictive power of state-of-the-art calculations and the usefulness of such an approach in the chemical analysis of vacancy defects.

Vacancy-type defects in InxGa1−xN grown on GaN templates probed using monoenergetic positron beams

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uedono, Akira; Watanabe, Tomohito; Kimura, Shogo; Zhang, Yang; Lozac'h, Mickael; Sang, Liwen; Sumiya, Masatomo; Ishibashi, Shoji; Oshima, Nagayasu; Suzuki, Ryoichi

2013-01-01

Native defects in In x Ga 1−x N layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition were studied using monoenergetic positron beams. Measurements of Doppler broadening spectra of the annihilation radiation and lifetime spectra of positrons for a 200-nm-thick In 0.13 Ga 0.87 N layer showed that vacancy-type defects were introduced by InN alloying, and the major species of such defects was identified as complexes between a cation vacancy and nitrogen vacancies. The presence of the defects correlated with lattice relaxation of the In 0.13 Ga 0.87 N layer and the increase in photon emissions from donor-acceptor-pair recombination. The species of native defects in In 0.06 Ga 0.94 N layers was the same but its concentration was decreased by decreasing the InN composition. With the layer thickness increased from 120 nm to 360 nm, a defect-rich region was introduced in the subsurface region (<160 nm), which can be associated with layer growth with the relaxation of compressive stress

Electrochemical transformations of oxygen and the defect structure of solid solutions on the basis of alkaline earth metal ortho-vanadates

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Khodos, M.Ya.; Belysheva, G.M.; Brajnina, Kh.Z.

1986-01-01

Effect of iso- and heterovalent substitution in the structure of alkaline earth metal ortho-vanadates and synthesis conditions, simulating the definite type of their crystal lattice disordering, on the character of potentiodynamic anodic-cathodic curves has been investigated by the method of cyclic voltammetry. Correlation between signals observed and the defect structure of oxide compounds is refined. Oxygen chemisorption is shown to be determined by concentration of nonequilibrium oxygen vacancies, which formation is accompanied by appearance of quasi-free electrons

Solutions to defect-related problems in implanted silicon by controlled injection of vacancies by high-energy ion irradiation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Roth, E.G.; Holland, O.W.; Duggan, J.L.

1999-01-01

Amorphization and a dual implant technique have been used to manipulate residual defects that persist following implantation and post-implant thermal treatments. Residual defects can often be attributed to ion-induced defect excesses. A defect is considered to be excess when it occurs in a localized region at a concentration greater than its complement. Sources of excess defects include spatially separated Frenkel pairs, excess interstitials resulting from the implanted atoms, and sputtering. Preamorphizing prior to dopant implantation has been proposed to eliminate dopant broadening due to ion channeling as well as dopant diffusion during subsequent annealing. However, transient-enhanced diffusion (TED) of implanted boron has been observed in pre-amorphized Si. The defects driving this enhanced boron diffusion are thought to be the extended interstitial-type defects that form below the amorphous-crystalline interface during implantation. A dual implantation process was applied in an attempt to reduce or eliminate this interfacial defect band. High-energy, ion implantation is known to inject a vacancy excess in this region. Vacancies were implanted at a concentration coincident with the excess interstitials below the a-c interface to promote recombination between the two defect species. Preliminary results indicate that a critical fluence, i.e., a sufficient vacancy concentration, will eliminate the interstitial defects. The effect of the reduction or elimination of these interfacial defects upon TED of boron will be discussed. Rutherford backscattering/channeling and cross section transmission electron microscopy analyses were used to characterize the defect structure within the implanted layer. Secondary ion mass spectrometry was used to profile the dopant distributions. copyright 1999 American Institute of Physics

Observation of point defects in impurity-doped zinc selenide films using a monoenergetic positron beam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Miyajima, T.; Okuyama, H.; Akimoto, K.; Mori, Y.; Wei, L.; Tanigawa, S.

1992-01-01

We studied point defects in ZnSe films grown by molecular beam epitaxy using the positron annihilation method. We found that doping with Ga atoms induces vacancy-type defects such as Zn vacancies, and that heavy doping with oxygen atoms induces interstitial type defects. We think that these defects are one of the causes of active carrier saturation in doped ZnSe films. (author)

The effect of Ga vacancies on the defect and magnetic properties of Mn-doped GaN

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kang, Joongoo; Chang, K. J.

2007-01-01

We perform first-principles theoretical calculations to investigate the effect of the presence of Ga vacancy on the defect and magnetic properties of Mn-doped GaN. When a Ga vacancy (V Ga ) is introduced to the Mn ions occupying the Ga lattice sites, a charge transfer occurs from the Mn d band to the acceptor levels of V Ga , and strong Mn-N bonds are formed between the Mn ion and the N atoms in the neighborhood of V Ga . The charge transfer and chemical bonding effects significantly affect the defect and magnetic properties of Mn-doped GaN. In a Mn-V Ga complex, which consists of a Ga vacancy and one Mn ion, the dangling bond orbital of the N atom involved in the Mn-N bond is electrically deactivated, and the remaining dangling bond orbitals of V Ga lead to the shallowness of the defect level. When a Ga vacancy forms a complex with two Mn ions located at a distance of about 6 A, which corresponds to the percolation length in determining the Curie temperature in diluted Mn-doped GaN, the Mn d band is broadened and the density of states at the Fermi level is reduced due to two strong Mn-N bonds. Although the broadening and depopulation of the Mn d band weaken the ferromagnetic stability between the Mn ions, the ferromagnetism is still maintained because of the lack of antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions at the percolation length

Single and double carbon vacancies in pyrene as first models for graphene defects: A survey of the chemical reactivity toward hydrogen

Science.gov (United States)

Nieman, Reed; Das, Anita; Aquino, Adélia J. A.; Amorim, Rodrigo G.; Machado, Francisco B. C.; Lischka, Hans

2017-01-01

Graphene is regarded as one of the most promising materials for nanoelectronics applications. Defects play an important role in modulating its electronic properties and also enhance its chemical reactivity. In this work the reactivity of single vacancies (SV) and double vacancies (DV) in reaction with a hydrogen atom Hr is studied. Because of the complicated open shell electronic structures of these defects due to dangling bonds, multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) methods are being used in combination with a previously developed defect model based on pyrene. Comparison of the stability of products derived from Csbnd Hr bond formation with different carbon atoms of the different polyaromatic hydrocarbons is made. In the single vacancy case the most stable structure is the one where the incoming hydrogen is bound to the carbon atom carrying the dangling bond. However, stable Csbnd Hr bonded structures are also observed in the five-membered ring of the single vacancy. In the double vacancy, most stable bonding of the reactant Hr atom is found in the five-membered rings. In total, Csbnd Hr bonds, corresponding to local energy minimum structures, are formed with all carbon atoms in the different defect systems and the pyrene itself. Reaction profiles for the four lowest electronic states show in the case of a single vacancy a complex picture of curve crossings and avoided crossings which will give rise to a complex nonadiabatic reaction dynamics involving several electronic states.

Intrinsic defects and spectral characteristics of SrZrO3 perovskite

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Zhenzhang; Duan, He; Jin, Yahong; Zhang, Shaoan; Lv, Yang; Xu, Qinfang; Hu, Yihua

2018-04-01

First-principles calculations and experiment analysis were performed to study the internal relation between seven types of intrinsic defects and the persistent luminescence in SrZrO3 host material. The calculation shows that rich zirconium defects have the low energy cost and thus are easy to form. Zr vacancies are too high energy to play any role in defect which is related luminescence phenomenon of SrZrO3 phosphor. However, oxygen vacancies stand out as a likely candidate, because it can yield two carrier reservoirs: a fully-occupied singlet electron's reservoir which lies above the valence band maximum, and an empty triply degenerate hole's reservoir which is just below the conduction band minimum. Sr vacancies are not directly relevant to the persistent luminescence due to its too shallow electron trap level. The characteristics of these defects are fully explained by the equilibrium properties of SrZrO3. An experimental study of the thermoluminescence glow for these defects is conducted and the calculation is consistent with the experimental results. A mechanism of the persistent luminescence for SrZrO3:Pr3+, Eu3+ is explained according to oxygen vacancies trap center. Findings of this study may serve as theoretical references for controlling intrinsic traps by more refined experiments.

Fen (n=1–6) clusters chemisorbed on vacancy defects in graphene: Stability, spin-dipole moment, and magnetic anisotropy

KAUST Repository

Haldar, Soumyajyoti; Pujari, Bhalchandra S.; Bhandary, Sumanta; Cossu, Fabrizio; Eriksson, Olle; Kanhere, Dilip G.; Sanyal, Biplab

2014-01-01

In this work, we have studied the chemical and magnetic interactions of Fen (n=1–6) clusters with vacancy defects (monovacancy to correlated vacancies with six missing C atoms) in a graphene sheet by ab initio density functional calculations

Photoluminescence and Raman studies for the confirmation of oxygen vacancies to induce ferromagnetism in Fe doped Mn:ZnO compound

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Das, J., E-mail: jayashree304@gmail.com [Department of Physics, Silicon Institute of Technology, Bhubaneswar 751024, Odisha (India); Department of Physics, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg 1710 (South Africa); Mishra, D.K. [Department of Physics, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg 1710 (South Africa); Department of Physics, Institute of Technical Education and Research, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University, Khandagiri Square, Bhubaneswar 751030, Odisha (India); Srinivasu, V.V. [Department of Physics, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, University of South Africa, Johannesburg 1710 (South Africa); Sahu, D.R. [Amity Institute of Nanotechnology, Amity University, Noida (India); Roul, B.K. [Institute of Materials Science, Planetarium Building, Acharya Vihar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha (India)

2015-05-15

With a motivation to compare the magnetic property, we synthesised undoped, transition metal (TM) Mn doped and (Mn:Fe) co-doped ZnO ceramics in the compositions ZnO, Zn{sub 0.98}Mn{sub 0.02}O and Zn{sub 0.96}(Mn{sub 0.02}Fe{sub 0.02})O. Systematic investigations on the structural, microstructural, defect structure and magnetic properties of the samples were performed. Low temperature as well as room temperature ferromagnetism has been observed for all our samples, however, enhanced magnetisation at room temperature has been noticed when ZnO is co-doped with Fe along with Mn. Particularly the sample with the composition Zn{sub 0.96}Mn{sub 0.02}Fe{sub 0.02}O showed a magnetisation value more than double of the sample with composition Zn{sub 0.98}Mn{sub 0.02}O, indicating long range strong interaction between the magnetic impurities leading to higher ferromagnetic ordering. Raman and PL studies reveal presence of higher defects in form of oxygen vacancy clusters created in the sample due to Fe co doping. PL study also reveals enhanced luminescence efficiency in the co doped sample. Temperature dependent magnetisation study of this sample shows the spin freezing temperature around 39 K indicating the presence of small impurity phase of Mn{sub 2−x}Zn{sub x}O{sub 3} type. Electron Spin Resonance signal obtained supports ferromagnetic state in the co doped sample. Enhancement of magnetisation is attributed to interactions mediated by magnetic impurities through large number of oxygen vacancies created by Fe{sup 3+} ions forming bound magnetic polarons (BMP) and facilitating long range ferromagnetic ordering in the co- doped system. - Highlights: • Comparison of magnetic property of ZnO, Zn{sub 0.98}Mn {sub 0.02}O and Zn{sub 0.96}(Mn{sub 0.02}Fe{sub 0.02})O. • Observation of enhanced magnetisation at room temperature in (Mn,Fe) doped ZnO. • Raman and PL studies reveal presence of higher oxygen vacancy clusters. • Electron Spin Resonance signal supports

Combined effect of oxygen deficient point defects and Ni doping in radio frequency magnetron sputtering deposited ZnO thin films

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Saha, B., E-mail: biswajit.physics@gmail.com [Thin Film and Nano Science Laboratory, Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, 700 032 Kolkata (India); Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Agartala, Jirania 799046, Tripura (India); Das, N.S.; Chattopadhyay, K.K. [Thin Film and Nano Science Laboratory, Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, 700 032 Kolkata (India)

2014-07-01

Ni doped ZnO thin films with oxygen deficiency have been synthesized on glass substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique using argon plasma. The combined effect of point defects generated due to oxygen vacancies and Ni doping on the optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films has been studied in this work. Ni doping concentrations were varied and the structural, optical and electrical properties of the films were studied as a function of doping concentrations. The films were characterized with X-ray diffractometer, UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and electrical conductivity measurements. Oxygen deficient point defects (Schottky defects) made the ZnO thin film highly conducting while incorporation of Ni dopant made it more functional regarding their electrical and optical properties. The films were found to have tunable electrical conductivity with Ni doping concentrations. - Highlights: • ZnO thin films prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering technique • Synthesis process was stimulated to introduce Schottky-type point defects. • Point defects and external doping of Ni made ZnO thin films more functional. • Point defect induced high electrical conductivity in ZnO thin film. • Significant shift in optical bandgap observed in ZnO with Ni doping concentrations.

Positron annihilation lifetime in float-zone n-type silicon irradiated by fast electrons: a thermally stable vacancy defect

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Arutyunov, Nikolay; Emtsev, Vadim; Oganesyan, Gagik; Krause-Rehberg, Reinhard; Elsayed, Mohamed; Kozlovskii, Vitalii

2016-01-01

Temperature dependency of the average positron lifetime has been investigated for n-type float-zone silicon, n-FZ-Si(P), subjected to irradiation with 0.9 MeV electrons at RT. In the course of the isochronal annealing a new defect-related temperature-dependent pattern of the positron lifetime spectra has been revealed. Beyond the well known intervals of isochronal annealing of acceptor-like defects such as E-centers, divacancies and A-centers, the positron annihilation at the vacancy defects has been observed in the course of the isochronal annealing from ∝ 320 C up to the limit of reliable detecting of the defect-related positron annihilation lifetime at ≥ 500 C. These data correlate with the ones of recovery of the concentration of the charge carriers and their mobility which is found to continue in the course of annealing to ∝ 570 C; the annealing is accomplished at ∝650 C. A thermally stable complex consisting of the open vacancy volume and the phosphorus impurity atom, V_o_p-P, is suggested as a possible candidate for interpreting the data obtained by the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. An extended couple of semi-vacancies, 2V_s_-_e_x_t, as well as a relaxed inwards a couple of vacancies, 2V_i_n_w, are suggested as the open vacancy volume V_o_p to be probed with the positron. It is argued that a high thermal stability of the V_s_-_e_x_t PV_s_-_e_x_t (or V_i_n_wPV_i_n_w_.) configuration is contributed by the efficiency of PSi_5 bonding. (copyright 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

A local environment approach for deep-level defects in semiconductors: Application to the vacancy in silicon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wang Yongliang; Lindefelt, U.

1987-04-01

A local environment approach for calculation of the electronic structure of localized defects in semiconductors is described. The method starts out from a description of localized orbitals or tight-binding model for semiconductors and is based on the recursion method of Haydock. A repeated symmetrical supercell containing 686 atoms plus defects is formed, both the translational and point-group symmetry of the crystal are fully exploited. In this paper, we report an application of this approach to an undistorted isolated vacancy by using a self-consistent Hamiltonian. A bound state of T 2 symmetry at 0.87 eV above the valence-band edge and a number of band resonances within the valence-band were extracted using Lanczos algorithm and a continued-fraction representation of the local density of states. It was found that the T 2 symmetry gap state is mainly p-like and most of the wavefunction for one of the A 1 symmetry resonances is concentrated on the vacant site and another concentrated on the first neighbors of the vacancy. From the small shifts of the band edges of silicon with a vacancy, we can conclude that the supercell is big enough and the interaction between the defects of different supercells is negligible. (author). 37 refs, 12 figs

Evidence of oxygen vacancy and possible intermediate gap state in layered α-MoO{sub 3} single-crystal nanobelts

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chen, C.Z., E-mail: tcccz@shu.edu.cn; Li, Y.; Tang, X.D.

2016-01-15

Multilayered meso-structured MoO{sub 3} nanobelts have been synthesized by thermally oxidizing a molybdenum chip in a reduced oxygen atmosphere, with a view to disclosing the existence of oxygen vacancy and understanding the mechanism behind the influence of oxygen vacancy on the electronic structure of molybdenum oxides. Based on the measurements from X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM), it is found that the as-grown sample is single-crystal α-MoO{sub 3} with a (001) preferred orientation, which shows an irregular belt-like morphology being composed of some ~20 nm single-crystal thin layers. The present sample includes a lot of oxygen vacancies in the lattice, as evidenced by the considerably reduced coordination number of the central Mo atoms from X-ray absorption spectra (XAS) as well as the red shift of the main Raman peaks. The existence of the oxygen vacancies are further tested by the photoluminescence (PL) results as the main emission peak shows an obvious red shift with the corresponding optical band gap reduced to 2.3 eV. Very importantly, an extra emission positioned at 738 nm (1.68 eV) is believed to originate from the recombination of the electrons from the intermediate band (IB) to the valence band (VB), and the formation of the IB in the gap is also caused by oxygen-ion vacancies.

Defect production and formation of helium-vacancy clusters due to cascades in α-iron

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang, L.; Zu, X.T.; Xiao, H.Y.; Gao, F.; Heinisch, H.L.; Kurtz, R.J.

2007-01-01

Displacement cascades are simulated by molecular dynamics methods in α-Fe containing different concentrations of substitutional He atoms. Primary knock-on atom (PKA) energies, E p , from 0.5 to 5 keV are considered at the irradiation temperature of 100 K. The concentration of He in Fe varies from 1 to 5 at%, and the results are compared with the simulations performed in pure α-Fe. We find that the total number of point defects increases with increasing He concentration. The present studies reveal the formation and the configurations of He-vacancy clusters in the cascades of α-Fe. Furthermore, the production efficiency of He-vacancy clusters increases with increasing He concentration and PKA energy. The nucleation mechanisms of He-vacancy clusters in displacement cascades are discussed in detail

Ultrafast atomic layer-by-layer oxygen vacancy-exchange diffusion in double-perovskite LnBaCo2O5.5+δ thin films.

Science.gov (United States)

Bao, Shanyong; Ma, Chunrui; Chen, Garry; Xu, Xing; Enriquez, Erik; Chen, Chonglin; Zhang, Yamei; Bettis, Jerry L; Whangbo, Myung-Hwan; Dong, Chuang; Zhang, Qingyu

2014-04-22

Surface exchange and oxygen vacancy diffusion dynamics were studied in double-perovskites LnBaCo2O5.5+δ (LnBCO) single-crystalline thin films (Ln = Er, Pr; -0.5 atoms in the LnBCO thin films is taking the layer by layer oxygen-vacancy-exchange mechanism. The first principles density functional theory calculations indicate that hydrogen atoms are present in LnBCO as bound to oxygen forming O-H bonds. This unprecedented oscillation phenomenon provides the first direct experimental evidence of the layer by layer oxygen vacancy exchange diffusion mechanism.

Interaction of nitrogen with vacancy defects in N+-implanted ZnO studied using a slow positron beam

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chen, Z.Q.; Maekawa, M.; Kawasuso, A.; Suzuki, R.; Ohdaira, T.

2005-01-01

ZnO crystals were implanted with N + , O + , and Al + , and co-implanted with O + /N + and Al + /N + ions. Positron annihilation measurements indicate introduction of vacancy clusters upon implantation. In the N + -implanted and Al + /N + co-implanted samples, these vacancy clusters are only partially annealed at 800 deg. C, as compared with their entire recovery in the O + - and Al + -implanted samples at 800-900 deg. C, suggesting a strong interaction between nitrogen and vacancy clusters. However, in the O + /N + co-implanted sample, most vacancy clusters disappear at 800 deg. C. Probably oxygen scavenges nitrogen to enhance the annealing of the vacancy clusters. Upon further annealing at 1000-1100 deg. C, nitrogen also forms stable complexes with thermally generated vacancies. These nitrogen-related vacancy complexes need high-temperature annealing at 1200-1250 deg. C to be fully removed

Identification of nickel-vacancy defects by combining experimental and ab initio simulated photocurrent spectra

Science.gov (United States)

Londero, E.; Bourgeois, E.; Nesladek, M.; Gali, A.

2018-06-01

There is a continuous search for solid state spin qubits operating at room temperature with excitation in the infrared communication bandwidth. Recently, we have introduced the photoelectric detection of magnetic resonance (PDMR) to read the electron spin state of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond, a technique which is promising for applications in quantum information technology. By measuring the photoionization spectra on a diamond crystal, we found two ionization thresholds of unknown origin. On the same sample we also observed absorption and photoluminescence signatures that were identified in the literature as Ni-associated defects. We performed ab initio calculations of the photoionization cross section of the nickel split-vacancy complex (NiV) and N-related defects in their relevant charge states and fitted the concentration of these defects to the measured photocurrent spectrum, which led to a surprising match between experimental and calculated spectra. This study enabled us to identify the two unknown ionization thresholds with the two acceptor levels of NiV. Because the excitation of NiV is in the infrared, the photocurrent detected from the paramagnetic NiV color centers is a promising way towards the design of electrically readout qubits.

First-Principles Study on the Structural and Electronic Properties of N Atoms Doped-Rutile TiO2 of Oxygen Vacancies

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Zhong-Liang Zeng

2015-01-01

Full Text Available For the propose of considering the actual situation of electronic neutral, a simulation has been down on the basis of choosing the position of dual N and researching the oxygen vacancy. It is found that the reason why crystal material gets smaller is due to the emergence of impurity levels. By introducing the oxygen vacancy to the structure, the results show that while the oxygen vacancy is near the two nitrogen atoms which have a back to back position, its energy gets the lowest level and its structure gets the most stable state. From its energy band structure and density, the author finds that the impurity elements do not affect the migration of Fermi level while the oxygen vacancy has been increased. Instead of that, the conduction band of metal atoms moves to the Fermi level and then forms the N-type semiconductor material, but the photocatalytic activity is not as good as the dual N-doping state.

Experimental and ab initio study of the hyperfine parameters of ZnFe {sub 2}O{sub 4} with defects

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Quintero, J. Melo; Salcedo Rodríguez, K. L.; Pasquevich, G. A.; Zélis, P. Mendoza; Stewart, S. J., E-mail: stewart@fisica.unlp.edu.ar; Rodríguez Torres, C. E.; Errico, L. A. [Universidad Nacional de La Plata, IFLP-CCT- La Plata-CONICET and Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, C. C. 67 (Argentina)

2016-12-15

We present a combined Mössbauer and ab initio study on the influence of oxygen-vacancies on the hyperfine and magnetic properties of the ZnFe {sub 2}O{sub 4} spinel ferrite. Samples with different degree of oxygen-vacancies were obtained from zinc ferrite powder that was thermally treated at different temperatures up to 650 {sup ∘}C under vacuum.Theoretical calculations of the hyperfine parameters, magnetic moments and magnetic alignment have been carried out considering different defects such as oxygen vacancies and cation inversion. We show how theoretical and experimental approaches are complementary to characterize the local structure around Fe atoms and interpret the observed changes in the hyperfine parameters as the level of defects increases.

Oxygen vacancy effects in HfO2-based resistive switching memory: First principle study

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Yuehua Dai

2016-08-01

Full Text Available The work investigated the shape and orientation of oxygen vacancy clusters in HfO2-base resistive random access memory (ReRAM by using the first-principle method based on the density functional theory. Firstly, the formation energy of different local Vo clusters was calculated in four established orientation systems. Then, the optimized orientation and charger conductor shape were identified by comparing the isosurface plots of partial charge density, formation energy, and the highest isosurface value of oxygen vacancy. The calculated results revealed that the [010] orientation was the optimal migration path of Vo, and the shape of system D4 was the best charge conductor in HfO2, which effectively influenced the SET voltage, formation voltage and the ON/OFF ratio of the device. Afterwards, the PDOS of Hf near Vo and total density of states of the system D4_010 were obtained, revealing the composition of charge conductor was oxygen vacancy instead of metal Hf. Furthermore, the migration barriers of the Vo hopping between neighboring unit cells were calculated along four different orientations. The motion was proved along [010] orientation. The optimal circulation path for Vo migration in the HfO2 super-cell was obtained.

Zinc vacancy and oxygen interstitial in ZnO revealed by sequential annealing and electron irradiation

Science.gov (United States)

Knutsen, K. E.; Galeckas, A.; Zubiaga, A.; Tuomisto, F.; Farlow, G. C.; Svensson, B. G.; Kuznetsov, A. Yu.

2012-09-01

By combining results from positron annihilation and photoluminescence spectroscopy with data from Hall effect measurements, the characteristic deep level emission centered at ˜1.75 eV and exhibiting an activation energy of thermal quenching of 11.5 meV is associated with the zinc vacancy. Further, a strong indication that oxygen interstitials act as a dominating acceptor is derived from the analysis of charge carrier losses induced by electron irradiation with variable energy below and above the threshold for Zn-atom displacement. We also demonstrate that the commonly observed green emission is related to an extrinsic acceptorlike impurity, which may be readily passivated by oxygen vacancies.

Oxygen vacancy formation and migration in Sr- and Mg-doped LaGaO3: a density functional theory study

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zhang Jie; Liang Er-Jun; Sun Qiang; Jia Yu

2012-01-01

Oxygen vacancy formation and migration in La 0.9 Sr 0.1 Ga 0.8 Mg 0.2 O 3−δ (LSGM) with various crystal symmetries (cubic, rhombohedral, orthorhombic, and monoclinic) are studied by employing first-principles calculations based on density functional theory (DFT). It is shown that the cubic LSGM has the smallest band gap, oxygen vacancy formation energy, and migration barrier, while the other three structures give rise to much larger values for these quantities, implying the best oxygen ion conductivity of the cubic LSGM among the four crystal structures. In our calculations, one oxygen vacancy migration pathway is considered in the cubic and rhombohedral structures due to all the oxygen sites being equivalent in them, while two vacancy migration pathways with different migration barriers are found in the orthorhombic and monoclinic symmetries owing to the existence of nonequivalent O 1 and O 2 oxygen sites. The migration energies along the migration pathway linking the two O 2 sites are obviously lower than those along the pathway linking the O 1 and O 2 sites. Considering the phase transitions at high temperatures, the results obtained in this paper can not only explain the experimentally observed different behaviours of the oxygen ionic conductivity of LSGM with different symmetries, but also predict the rational crystal structures of LSGM for solid oxide fuel cell applications. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)

Influence of impurities on the evolution of vacancy-type defects in neutron-irradiated nickel

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Druzhkov, A.P.; Perminov, D.A.; Arbuzov, V.L.

2012-01-01

Highlights: ► We study, by means of PAS, the effects of purity on damage evolution in neutron-irradiated Ni at 330 K. ► Impurity carbon atoms in solution decrease the cascade efficiency during irradiation. ► C–V complexes are formed on the recovery stage III in impure Ni irradiated with 10 −4 dpa. ► The formation of V-loops and SFTs dominate on stage III with increasing dose level. ► The thermal stability of SFTs in impure Ni is similar to that in pure Ni. - Abstract: In order to investigate the effect of impurities on vacancy defect evolution in nickel, specimens with high (5N) and technical (3N) purity were neutron-irradiated at ∼330 K in the IVV-2M reactor (Russia) to fluencies in the range of 1 × 10 21 –1 × 10 23 n/m 2 (E > 0.1 MeV) corresponding to displacement dose levels in the range of about 0.0001–0.01 dpa and subsequently stepwise annealed to about 900 K. The specimens of Ni with different purities were characterized both in as-irradiated state as well as after post-irradiation annealing by positron annihilation spectroscopy. The formation of three-dimensional vacancy clusters (3D-VCs) in cascades was observed under neutron irradiation. The density and size of 3D-VCs depended not only on dose level, but also on purity. The population of 3D-VCs in the technical Ni is lower than that in the high-purity Ni. 3D-VCs collapse into secondary-type clusters (stacking fault tetrahedra (SFTs) and vacancy loops) during stepwise annealing at 350–450 K (stage III in Ni). The suppression of secondary cluster formation in 3N Ni is attributed to an effective vacancy interaction with impurity carbon atoms, which based on a relatively large vacancy–carbon atom binding energy (0.32–0.35 eV). The trapping of vacancies released at the collapse of 3D-VCs by the interstitial impurity atoms dominates at low irradiation dose level (10 −4 dpa). Thus, we found that carbon impurity atoms have strong effects both on the primary vacancy-type defect

Oxygen defects in Fe-substituted Tl-system superconductors

Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (English)

李阳; 曹国辉; 王耘波; 马庆珠; 熊小涛; 陈宁; 马如璋; 郭应焕; 许祝安; 王劲松; 张小俊; 焦正宽; 彭获田; 周思海

1996-01-01

For Fe-doped T1-1223 phase,the excess oxygen defects induced by Fe dopants are studied by means of Hall coefficient,thermogravimetric measurements,Mossbauer spectroscopy,and the model calculation of the effective bond valence.The extra oxygen defects have effects on carrier density and microstructure of the superconductors.In the light doping level of Fe (x=0-0.05),the superconducting transition and carrier density have significant corresponding relation--the zero resistance temperature Tco and carrier densities decrease linearly with Fe dopants increasing.The thermogravimetric measurements show that the Fe3+ ions’ substituting for Cu2+ ions can bring the extra oxygen into the lattice to form extra oxygen defects.The calculation of the effective bond valence shows that the decrease of carrier density originates the strongly localized binding of the extra oxygen defects.The distortion of Cu-O layer induced by the extra oxygen defects decreases the superconductive transition temperature.The microstructure

The role of Ar plasma treatment in generating oxygen vacancies in indium tin oxide thin films prepared by the sol-gel process

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hwang, Deuk-Kyu [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul, 03722 (Korea, Republic of); Misra, Mirnmoy; Lee, Ye-Eun [Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, 1342 Seong-nam dae-ro, Seong-nam si, Gyeonggi-do, 13120 (Korea, Republic of); Baek, Sung-Doo [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul, 03722 (Korea, Republic of); Myoung, Jae-Min, E-mail: jmmyoung@yonsei.ac.kr [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seoul, 03722 (Korea, Republic of); Lee, Tae Il, E-mail: t2.lee77@gachon.ac.kr [Department of BioNano Technology, Gachon University, 1342 Seong-nam dae-ro, Seong-nam si, Gyeonggi-do, 13120 (Korea, Republic of)

2017-05-31

Highlights: • Indium tin oxide thin film with about 41 nm thickness was obtained by the sol-gel process. • Thin film exhibited low resistivity. • Sheet resistance of thin film decreases with Ar plasma treatment time. • Ar plasma treatment on thin film does not alter the crystal structure and optical properties of the ITO thin-film. • There is no significant change in oxygen vacancies after 20 min of plasma treatment. - Abstract: Argon (Ar) plasma treatment was carried out to reduce the sheet resistance of indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films. The Ar plasma treatment did not cause any significant changes to the crystal structure, surface morphology, or optical properties of the ITO thin films. However, an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study confirmed that the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the film dramatically increased with the plasma treatment time. Thus, we concluded that the decrease in the sheet resistance was caused by the increase in the oxygen vacancy concentration in the film. Furthermore, to verify how the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the film increased with the Ar plasma treatment time, cumulative and continuous plasma treatments were conducted. The oxygen vacancies were found to be created by surface heating via the outward thermal diffusion of oxygen atoms from inside the film.

Nanodiamonds with silicon vacancy defects for nontoxic photostable fluorescent labeling of neural precursor cells.

Science.gov (United States)

Merson, Tobias D; Castelletto, Stefania; Aharonovich, Igor; Turbic, Alisa; Kilpatrick, Trevor J; Turnley, Ann M

2013-10-15

Nanodiamonds (NDs) containing silicon vacancy (SiV) defects were evaluated as a potential biomarker for the labeling and fluorescent imaging of neural precursor cells (NPCs). SiV-containing NDs were synthesized using chemical vapor deposition and silicon ion implantation. Spectrally, SiV-containing NDs exhibited extremely stable fluorescence and narrow bandwidth emission with an excellent signal to noise ratio exceeding that of NDs containing nitrogen-vacancy centers. NPCs labeled with NDs exhibited normal cell viability and proliferative properties consistent with biocompatibility. We conclude that SiV-containing NDs are a promising biomedical research tool for cellular labeling and optical imaging in stem cell research.

The effect of carbon and boron on the accumulation of vacancy-oxygen complexes in silicon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Akhmetov, V.D.; Bolotov, V.V.

1980-01-01

By means of IR-absorption measurements the dose dependencies of the concentrations of vacancy-oxygen complexes (VO), interstitial oxygen atoms (Osub(I)), substitutional carbon atoms (Csub(S)) and interstitial carbon-oxygen complexes (Csub(I)Osub(I)) in n- and p-type silicon irradiated with 1.1 MeV electrons have been investigated. The observed increase of the production rate of VO-complexes with the rise of carbon and boron atoms concentrations (these impurities act as sinks for silicon interstitial atoms) has been explained in terms of annihilation of the vacancies and interstitials on the oxygen atoms. The results obtained show that boron atoms are more effective sinks than carbon atoms for the interstitial silicon atoms. That seems to be connected not only with the higher probability of boron injection into interstitial position but also with the further capture of interstitial silicon atoms on the interstitial boron, i.e. with the interstitial cluster formation. (author)

The Electronic Properties of O-Doped Pure and Sulfur Vacancy-Defect Monolayer WS₂: A First-Principles Study.

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Weidong; Bai, Liwen; Yang, Chenguang; Fan, Kangqi; Xie, Yong; Li, Minglin

2018-01-31

Based on the density functional theory (DFT), the electronic properties of O-doped pure and sulfur vacancy-defect monolayer WS₂ are investigated by using the first-principles method. For the O-doped pure monolayer WS₂, four sizes (2 × 2 × 1, 3 × 3 × 1, 4 × 4 × 1 and 5 × 5 × 1) of supercell are discussed to probe the effects of O doping concentration on the electronic structure. For the 2 × 2 × 1 supercell with 12.5% O doping concentration, the band gap of O-doped pure WS₂ is reduced by 8.9% displaying an indirect band gap. The band gaps in 3 × 3 × 1 and 4 × 4 × 1 supercells are both opened to some extent, respectively, for 5.55% and 3.13% O doping concentrations, while the band gap in 5 × 5 × 1 supercell with 2.0% O doping concentration is quite close to that of the pure monolayer WS₂. Then, two typical point defects, including sulfur single-vacancy (V S ) and sulfur divacancy (V 2S ), are introduced to probe the influences of O doping on the electronic properties of WS₂ monolayers. The observations from DFT calculations show that O doping can broaden the band gap of monolayer WS₂ with V S defect to a certain degree, but weaken the band gap of monolayer WS₂ with V 2S defect. Doping O element into either pure or sulfur vacancy-defect monolayer WS₂ cannot change their band gaps significantly, however, it still can be regarded as a potential method to slightly tune the electronic properties of monolayer WS₂.

Zinc Vacancy Formation and its Effect on the Conductivity of ZnO

Science.gov (United States)

Khan, Enamul; Weber, Marc; Langford, Steve; Dickinson, Tom

2010-03-01

Exposing single crystal ZnO to 193-nm ArF excimer laser radiation can produce metallic zinc nanoparticles along the surface. The particle production mechanism appears to involve interstitial-vacancy pair formation in the near-surface bulk. Conductivity measurements made with one probe inside the laser spot and the other outside show evidence for rectifying behavior. Positron annihilation spectroscopy confirms the presence of Zn vacancies. We suggest that Zn vacancies are a possible source of p-type behavior in irradiated ZnO. Quadrupole mass spectroscopy shows that both oxygen and zinc are emitted during irradiation. Electron-hole pair production has previously been invoked to account for particle desorption from ZnO during UV illumination. Our results suggest that preexisting and laser-generated defects play a critical role in particle desorption and Zn vacancy formation.

Probing defects in chemically synthesized ZnO nanostrucures by positron annihilation and photoluminescence spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Chaudhuri, S. K.; Das, D.; Ghosh, Manoranjan; Raychaudhuri, A. K.

2010-01-01

The present article describes the size induced changes in the structural arrangement of intrinsic defects present in chemically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles of various sizes. Routine x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy have been performed to determine the shapes and sizes of the nanocrystalline ZnO samples. Detailed studies using positron annihilation spectroscopy reveals the presence of zinc vacancy. Whereas analysis of photoluminescence results predict the signature of charged oxygen vacancies. The size induced changes in positron parameters as well as the photoluminescence properties, has shown contrasting or nonmonotonous trends as size varies from 4 to 85 nm. Small spherical particles below a critical size (∼23 nm) receive more positive surface charge due to the higher occupancy of the doubly charge oxygen vacancy as compared to the bigger nanostructures where singly charged oxygen vacancy predominates. This electronic alteration has been seen to trigger yet another interesting phenomenon, described as positron confinement inside nanoparticles. Finally, based on all the results, a model of the structural arrangement of the intrinsic defects in the present samples has been reconciled.

Probing defects in chemically synthesized ZnO nanostrucures by positron annihilation and photoluminescence spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Chaudhuri, S. K.; Ghosh, Manoranjan; Das, D.; Raychaudhuri, A. K.

2010-09-01

The present article describes the size induced changes in the structural arrangement of intrinsic defects present in chemically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles of various sizes. Routine x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy have been performed to determine the shapes and sizes of the nanocrystalline ZnO samples. Detailed studies using positron annihilation spectroscopy reveals the presence of zinc vacancy. Whereas analysis of photoluminescence results predict the signature of charged oxygen vacancies. The size induced changes in positron parameters as well as the photoluminescence properties, has shown contrasting or nonmonotonous trends as size varies from 4 to 85 nm. Small spherical particles below a critical size (˜23 nm) receive more positive surface charge due to the higher occupancy of the doubly charge oxygen vacancy as compared to the bigger nanostructures where singly charged oxygen vacancy predominates. This electronic alteration has been seen to trigger yet another interesting phenomenon, described as positron confinement inside nanoparticles. Finally, based on all the results, a model of the structural arrangement of the intrinsic defects in the present samples has been reconciled.

Method for calculating ionic and electronic defect concentrations in y-stabilised zirconia

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Poulsen, F W [Risoe National Lab., Materials Research Dept., Roskilde (Denmark)

1997-10-01

A numerical (trial and error) method for calculation of concentration of ions, vacancies and ionic and electronic defects in solids (Brouwer-type diagrams) is presented. No approximations or truncations of the set of equations describing the chemistry for the various defect regions are used. Doped zirconia and doped thoria with simultaneous presence of protonic and electronic defects are taken as examples: 7 concentrations as function of oxygen partial pressure and/or water vapour partial pressure are determined. Realistic values for the equilibrium constants for equilibration with oxygen gas and water vapour, as well as for the internal equilibrium between holes and electrons were taken from the literature. The present mathematical method is versatile - it has also been employed by the author to treat more complex systems, such as perovskite structure oxides with over- and under-stoichiometry in oxygen, cation vacancies and simultaneous presence of protons. (au) 6 refs.

Vacancy complexes induce long-range ferromagnetism in GaN

KAUST Repository

Zhang, Zhenkui

2014-11-14

By means of density functional theory, we argue that ferromagnetism in GaN can be induced by vacancy complexes. Spin polarization originates from the charge compensation between neutral N and Ga vacancies. Defect formation energy calculations predict that a vacancy complex of two positively charged N vacancies and one doubly negative Ga vacancy is likely to form. This defect complex induces a net moment of 1 μB, which is localized around the negative Ga center and exhibits pronounced in-plane ferromagnetic coupling. In contrast to simple Ga vacancy induced ferromagnetism, the proposed picture is in line with the fact that N vacancies have a low formation energy. Formation energies indicate mutual stabilization of the intrinsic defects in GaN.

Vacancy complexes induce long-range ferromagnetism in GaN

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Zhenkui; Schwingenschlögl, Udo, E-mail: Udo.Schwingenschlogl@kaust.edu.sa, E-mail: Iman.Roqan@kaust.edu.sa; Roqan, Iman S., E-mail: Udo.Schwingenschlogl@kaust.edu.sa, E-mail: Iman.Roqan@kaust.edu.sa [Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900 (Saudi Arabia)

2014-11-14

By means of density functional theory, we argue that ferromagnetism in GaN can be induced by vacancy complexes. Spin polarization originates from the charge compensation between neutral N and Ga vacancies. Defect formation energy calculations predict that a vacancy complex of two positively charged N vacancies and one doubly negative Ga vacancy is likely to form. This defect complex induces a net moment of 1 μ{sub B}, which is localized around the negative Ga center and exhibits pronounced in-plane ferromagnetic coupling. In contrast to simple Ga vacancy induced ferromagnetism, the proposed picture is in line with the fact that N vacancies have a low formation energy. Formation energies indicate mutual stabilization of the intrinsic defects in GaN.

Vacancy complexes induce long-range ferromagnetism in GaN

KAUST Repository

Zhang, Zhenkui; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo; Roqan, Iman S.

2014-01-01

By means of density functional theory, we argue that ferromagnetism in GaN can be induced by vacancy complexes. Spin polarization originates from the charge compensation between neutral N and Ga vacancies. Defect formation energy calculations predict that a vacancy complex of two positively charged N vacancies and one doubly negative Ga vacancy is likely to form. This defect complex induces a net moment of 1 μB, which is localized around the negative Ga center and exhibits pronounced in-plane ferromagnetic coupling. In contrast to simple Ga vacancy induced ferromagnetism, the proposed picture is in line with the fact that N vacancies have a low formation energy. Formation energies indicate mutual stabilization of the intrinsic defects in GaN.

Vacancy-type defects in Al2O3/GaN structure probed by monoenergetic positron beams

Science.gov (United States)

Uedono, Akira; Nabatame, Toshihide; Egger, Werner; Koschine, Tönjes; Hugenschmidt, Christoph; Dickmann, Marcel; Sumiya, Masatomo; Ishibashi, Shoji

2018-04-01

Defects in the Al2O3(25 nm)/GaN structure were probed by using monoenergetic positron beams. Al2O3 films were deposited on GaN by atomic layer deposition at 300 °C. Temperature treatment above 800 °C leads to the introduction of vacancy-type defects in GaN due to outdiffusion of atoms from GaN into Al2O3. The width of the damaged region was determined to be 40-50 nm from the Al2O3/GaN interface, and some of the vacancies were identified to act as electron trapping centers. In the Al2O3 film before and after annealing treatment at 300-900 °C, open spaces with three different sizes were found to coexist. The density of medium-sized open spaces started to decrease above 800 °C, which was associated with the interaction between GaN and Al2O3. Effects of the electron trapping/detrapping processes of interface states on the flat band voltage and the defects in GaN were also discussed.

Changing vacancy balance in ZnO by tuning synthesis between zinc/oxygen lean conditions

Science.gov (United States)

Venkatachalapathy, Vishnukanthan; Galeckas, Augustinas; Zubiaga, Asier; Tuomisto, Filip; Kuznetsov, Andrej Yu.

2010-08-01

The nature of intrinsic defects in ZnO films grown by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy was studied by positron annihilation and photoluminescence spectroscopy techniques. The supply of Zn and O during the film synthesis was varied by applying different growth temperatures (325-485 °C), affecting decomposition of the metal organic precursors. The microscopic identification of vacancy complexes was derived from a systematic variation in the defect balance in accordance with Zn/O supply trends.

Effect of oxygen vacancy distribution on the thermoelectric properties of La-doped SrTiO3 epitaxial thin films

KAUST Repository

Sarath Kumar, S. R.; Abutaha, Anas I.; Hedhili, Mohamed N.; Alshareef, Husam N.

2012-01-01

A detailed study of the role of oxygen vacancies in determining the effective mass and high temperature (300–1000 K) thermoelectricproperties of La-doped epitaxial SrTiO3 thin films is presented. It is observed that at intermediate temperatures, a transition from degenerate to non-degenerate behavior is observed in the Seebeck coefficient, but not electrical conductivity, which is attributed to heterogeneous oxygen non-stoichiometry. Heikes formula is found to be invalid for the films with oxygen vacancies. By fitting the spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) data, obtained in the range 300–2100 nm, using a Drude-Lorentz dispersion relation with two Lorentz oscillators, the electrical and optical properties of the films are extracted. Using the excellent agreement between the transport properties extracted from SE modeling and direct electrical measurements, we demonstrate that an increase in concentration of oxygen vacancies results in a simultaneous increase of both carrier concentration and electron effective mass, resulting in a higher power factor.

Effect of oxygen vacancy distribution on the thermoelectric properties of La-doped SrTiO3 epitaxial thin films

KAUST Repository

Sarath Kumar, S. R.

2012-12-03

A detailed study of the role of oxygen vacancies in determining the effective mass and high temperature (300–1000 K) thermoelectricproperties of La-doped epitaxial SrTiO3 thin films is presented. It is observed that at intermediate temperatures, a transition from degenerate to non-degenerate behavior is observed in the Seebeck coefficient, but not electrical conductivity, which is attributed to heterogeneous oxygen non-stoichiometry. Heikes formula is found to be invalid for the films with oxygen vacancies. By fitting the spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) data, obtained in the range 300–2100 nm, using a Drude-Lorentz dispersion relation with two Lorentz oscillators, the electrical and optical properties of the films are extracted. Using the excellent agreement between the transport properties extracted from SE modeling and direct electrical measurements, we demonstrate that an increase in concentration of oxygen vacancies results in a simultaneous increase of both carrier concentration and electron effective mass, resulting in a higher power factor.

Oxygen defect processes in silicon and silicon germanium

KAUST Repository

Chroneos, A.

2015-06-18

Silicon and silicon germanium are the archetypical elemental and alloy semiconductor materials for nanoelectronic, sensor, and photovoltaic applications. The investigation of radiation induced defects involving oxygen, carbon, and intrinsic defects is important for the improvement of devices as these defects can have a deleterious impact on the properties of silicon and silicon germanium. In the present review, we mainly focus on oxygen-related defects and the impact of isovalent doping on their properties in silicon and silicon germanium. The efficacy of the isovalent doping strategies to constrain the oxygen-related defects is discussed in view of recent infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory studies.

Oxygen defect processes in silicon and silicon germanium

KAUST Repository

Chroneos, A.; Sgourou, E. N.; Londos, C. A.; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo

2015-01-01

Silicon and silicon germanium are the archetypical elemental and alloy semiconductor materials for nanoelectronic, sensor, and photovoltaic applications. The investigation of radiation induced defects involving oxygen, carbon, and intrinsic defects is important for the improvement of devices as these defects can have a deleterious impact on the properties of silicon and silicon germanium. In the present review, we mainly focus on oxygen-related defects and the impact of isovalent doping on their properties in silicon and silicon germanium. The efficacy of the isovalent doping strategies to constrain the oxygen-related defects is discussed in view of recent infrared spectroscopy and density functional theory studies.

Vacancy-type defects in In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N grown on GaN templates probed using monoenergetic positron beams

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uedono, Akira [Division of Applied Physics, Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573 (Japan); Watanabe, Tomohito; Kimura, Shogo; Zhang, Yang; Lozac' h, Mickael [Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8573 (Japan); Sang, Liwen; Sumiya, Masatomo [Wide Bandgap Material Group, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044 (Japan); Ishibashi, Shoji [Nanosystem Research Institute (NRI) “RICS,” National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 (Japan); Oshima, Nagayasu; Suzuki, Ryoichi [Research Institute of Instrumentation Frontier, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 (Japan)

2013-11-14

Native defects in In{sub x}Ga{sub 1−x}N layers grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition were studied using monoenergetic positron beams. Measurements of Doppler broadening spectra of the annihilation radiation and lifetime spectra of positrons for a 200-nm-thick In{sub 0.13}Ga{sub 0.87}N layer showed that vacancy-type defects were introduced by InN alloying, and the major species of such defects was identified as complexes between a cation vacancy and nitrogen vacancies. The presence of the defects correlated with lattice relaxation of the In{sub 0.13}Ga{sub 0.87}N layer and the increase in photon emissions from donor-acceptor-pair recombination. The species of native defects in In{sub 0.06}Ga{sub 0.94}N layers was the same but its concentration was decreased by decreasing the InN composition. With the layer thickness increased from 120 nm to 360 nm, a defect-rich region was introduced in the subsurface region (<160 nm), which can be associated with layer growth with the relaxation of compressive stress.

Theoretical study of the influence of cation vacancies on the catalytic properties of vanadium antimonate

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Messina, S.; Juan, A.; Larrondo, S.; Irigoyen, B.; Amadeo, N.

2008-01-01

We have theoretically studied the influence of antimony and vanadium cation vacancies in the electronic structure and reactivity of vanadium antimonate, using molecular orbital methods. From the analysis of the electronic properties of the VSbO 4 crystal structure, we can infer that both antimony and vanadium vacancies increase the oxidation state of closer V cations. This would indicate that, in the rutile-type VSbO 4 phase the Sb and V cations defects stabilize the V in a higher oxidation state (V 4+ ). Calculations of the adsorption energy for different toluene adsorption geometries on the VSbO 4 (1 1 0) surface have also been performed. The oxidation state of Sb, V and O atoms and the overlap population of metal-oxygen bonds have been evaluated. Our results indicate that the cation defects influence in the toluene adsorption reactions is slight. We have computed different alternatives for the reoxidation of the VSbO 4 (1 1 0) surface active sites which were reduced during the oxygenated products formation. These calculations indicate that the V cations in higher oxidation state (V 4+ ) are the species, which preferentially incorporate lattice oxygen to the reduced Sb cations. Thus, the cation defects would stabilize the V 4+ species in the VSbO 4 structure, determining its ability to provide lattice oxygen as a reactant

Density functional study on the heterogeneous oxidation of NO over α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst by H{sub 2}O{sub 2}: Effect of oxygen vacancy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Song, Zijian, E-mail: szj22zc15@163.com [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan (China); Wang, Ben, E-mail: benwang@hust.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan (China); Yu, Jie, E-mail: yujie@hust.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan (China); Ma, Chuan, E-mail: machuan628@163.com [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan (China); Zhou, Changsong, E-mail: zhouchangsong@hust.edu.cn [School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, 210042, Nanjing (China); Chen, Tao, E-mail: chentao_hust@foxmail.com [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan (China); Yan, Qianqian [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan (China); Wang, Ke, E-mail: m201570959@hust.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan (China); Sun, Lushi, E-mail: sunlushi@hust.edu.cn [State Key Laboratory of Coal Combustion, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430074, Wuhan (China)

2017-08-15

Highlights: • NO and H{sub 2}O{sub 2} adsorption on perfect and oxygen defect α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 0 1) surface were studied by DFT calculations. • H{sub 2}O{sub 2} shows high chemical reactivity for its adsorption on oxygen defect α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 0 1) surface. • Oxygen vacancy plays an important role of the catalytic oxidation of NO by H{sub 2}O{sub 2} over the α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} catalyst surfaces. • Mechanism of NO oxidation over α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 0 1) surface by H{sub 2}O{sub 2} was explained. - Abstract: Catalytic oxidation with H{sub 2}O{sub 2} is a promising method for NOx emission control in coal-fired power plants. Hematite-based catalysts are attracting increased attention because of their surface redox reactivity. To elucidate the NO oxidation mechanism on α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} surfaces, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted by investigating the adsorption characteristics of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H{sub 2}O{sub 2}) on perfect and oxygen defect α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 0 1) surfaces. Results show that NO was molecularly adsorbed on two kinds of surfaces. H{sub 2}O{sub 2} adsorption on perfect surface was also in a molecular form; however, H{sub 2}O{sub 2} dissociation occurred on oxygen defect α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 0 1) surface. The adsorption intensities of the two gas molecules in perfect α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 0 1) surface followed the order NO > H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, and the opposite was true for the oxygen defect α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 0 1). Oxygen vacancy remarkably enhanced the adsorption intensities of NO and H{sub 2}O{sub 2} and promoted H{sub 2}O{sub 2} decomposition on catalyst surface. As an oxidative product of NO, HNO{sub 2} was synthesized when NO and H{sub 2}O{sub 2} co-adsorbed on the oxygen defect α-Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3} (0 0 1) surface. Analyses of Mulliken population, electron density difference, and partial density of states showed that H{sub 2}O{sub 2} decomposition

Defect engineering of two-dimensional WO{sub 3} nanosheets for enhanced electrochromism and photoeletrochemical performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhou, Xiaofang; Zheng, Xiaoli; Yan, Bo; Xu, Tao; Xu, Qun, E-mail: qunxu@zzu.edu.cn

2017-04-01

Highlights: • We establish a facile strategy by solvothermal reaction and hydrogenation to synthesize 2D WO{sub 3} ultrathin nanosheets with abundant oxygen vacancies. • We find that the hydrogenated WO{sub 3} ultrathin nanosheets exhibit outstanding electrochromism properties. • Moreover, the hydrogenated WO{sub 3} nanosheets also exhibit remarkable photocatalytic performance. • The outstanding electrochromism and photoelectrochemical performances are mainly due to increased oxygen vacancies and narrowed band gap. - Abstract: The capability of introduction of oxygen vacancies in a controlled way has emerged as the heart of modern transition metal oxide semiconductor chemistry. As chemical defects, the oxygen vacancies have been proposed as electron donors, which are prone to increase carrier density and promote charge carrier separation. Herein, we have successfully prepared 2D WO{sub 3} ultrathin nanosheets with abundant surface oxygen vacancies by a combination of facile solvothermal reaction and hydrogenation method. The resultant hydrogenated WO{sub 3} ultrathin nanosheets exhibit remarkable electrochromism and photocatalytic performances compared with the non-hydrogenated samples, mainly due to their increased oxygen vacancies, narrowed band gap coupled with fast charge transfer and enhanced adsorption of visible light.

Physical properties and band structure of reactive molecular beam epitaxy grown oxygen engineered HfO{sub 2{+-}x}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hildebrandt, Erwin; Kurian, Jose; Alff, Lambert [Institute of Materials Science, Technische Universitaet Darmstadt, 64287 Darmstadt (Germany)

2012-12-01

We have conducted a detailed thin film growth structure of oxygen engineered monoclinic HfO{sub 2{+-}x} grown by reactive molecular beam epitaxy. The oxidation conditions induce a switching between (111) and (002) texture of hafnium oxide. The band gap of oxygen deficient hafnia decreases with increasing amount of oxygen vacancies by more than 1 eV. For high oxygen vacancy concentrations, defect bands form inside the band gap that induce optical transitions and p-type conductivity. The resistivity changes by several orders of magnitude as a function of oxidation conditions. Oxygen vacancies do not give rise to ferromagnetic behavior.

Oxygen vacancy induced fast lithium storage and efficient organics photodegradation over ultrathin TiO{sub 2} nanolayers grafted graphene sheets

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Xie, Yu, E-mail: xieyu_121@163.com [Nanchang Hangkong University, Department of Material Chemistry, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province (China); Hu, Dongsheng [Nanchang Hangkong University, Department of Material Chemistry, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province (China); Liu, Lianjun, E-mail: liul@uwm.edu [University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Mechanical Engineering Department, Milwaukee, WI (United States); Zhou, Panpan; Xu, Jiangwei; Ling, Yun [Nanchang Hangkong University, Department of Material Chemistry, Nanchang, Jiangxi Province (China)

2016-11-15

Highlights: • Oxygen vacancy is tailored by adjusting the treatment conditions. • Unltrathin TiO{sub 2} nanolayers are grafted on the graphene sheets. • Oxygen vacancy is located on the surface of TiO{sub 2}/graphene treated by H{sub 2}. • Improved lithium storage and organic pollutants removal efficiency. - Abstract: In this work we have developed a unique structure of ultrathin (5 nm) TiO{sub 2} nanolayers grafted graphene nanosheets (TiO{sub 2}/G) and integrated oxygen vacancy (V{sub O}) into TiO{sub 2} to enhance its lithium storage and photocatalytic performances. The defective TiO{sub 2}/G was synthesized by a solvothermal and subsequent thermal treatment method. When treated in a H{sub 2} atmosphere, the resulting TiO{sub 2-x}/G(H{sub 2}) has lower crystallinity, smaller crystal size, richer surface V{sub O}, higher surface area, larger pore volume, and lower charge transfer resistance than that reduced by NaBH{sub 4} solid, i.e., TiO{sub 2-x}/G(NaBH{sub 4}). More importantly, the surface V{sub O} in the TiO{sub 2-x}/G(H{sub 2}) could remarkably inhibit the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs compared with the bulk Vo in the TiO{sub 2-x}/G(NaBH{sub 4}). As a result, the combination of all the factors contributed to the superiority of TiO{sub 2-x}/G(H{sub 2}), which demonstrated not only 70% higher specific capacity, longer cycling performance (1000 cycles) and better rate capability for lithium-ion battery, but also higher photocatalytic activity and 1.5 times faster degradation rate for organic pollutants removal than TiO{sub 2-x}/G(NaBH{sub 4}). The findings in this work will benefit the fundamental understanding of TiO{sub 2}/G surface chemistry and advance the design and preparation of functional materials for energy storage and water treatment.

Identification and quantification of oxygen vacancies in CeO{sub 2} nanocrystals and their role in formation of F-centers

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Jaffari, G.Hassnain, E-mail: hassnain@qau.edu.pk [Department of Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad (Pakistan); Imran, Ali [Department of Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad (Pakistan); Bah, M. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 19716, Newark, DE (United States); Ali, Awais; Bhatti, Arshad S. [Centre for Micro and Nano Devices, Department of Physics, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Park Road, Islamabad, 44000 (Pakistan); Qurashi, Umar Saeed [Department of Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad (Pakistan); Ismat Shah, S. [Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Delaware, 19716, Newark, DE (United States); Department of Physics, University of Delaware, 19716, Newark, DE (United States)

2017-02-28

Highlights: • Detail crystal and electronic structural analysis was employed to quantify oxygen vacancies. • The Raman F{sub 2g} mode shifted towards lower wave number, exhibiting mode softening with broader and asymmetric peak. • Observation of absorption edge revealed presence of 4f band within the band gap. • PL emission studies revealed presence of F-centers with corresponding energy level located below 4f band. • Transitions associated by the F-center are mainly associated with 4f{sup 0} to 4f{sup 1}, F{sup ++} to 4f{sup 1} and 4f{sup 0} to F{sup +}. - Abstract: In this work we present synthesis and extensive characterization of Cerium oxide (CeO{sub 2}) nanocrystals. Comparison between the properties of as-prepared and air annealed nanoparticles has been carried out, with a goal to clearly identify the effect of oxygen vacancies on crystal, electronic and band structure. Detail crystal and electronic structural analysis was employed to quantify oxygen vacancies. Structural analysis confirmed that the formation of single phase cubic Fluorite structure for both as-prepared and annealed samples. Crystal and electronic structural studies confirmed that Ce ions exists in two oxidation states, Ce{sup +3} and Ce{sup +4}. Concentration of oxygen vacancies was larger in as-synthesis nanocrystal. A drastic decrease in oxygen vacancy concentration was observed for the sample annealed in air at 550 °C. For the as-prepared sample, the Raman allowed F{sub 2g} mode shifted towards lower wavenumber, exhibiting mode softening with broader and asymmetric peak. Observation of absorption edge revealed presence of 4f band within the band gap. Absorption with different band edge, confirmed different energy position of 4f level for the sample possessing oxygen vacancies. Blue shift of the band edge for as-prepared sample has been discussed in terms of increase in lattice parameter, formation of Ce{sup +3} ions, quantum confinement effect etc. Photoluminescence emission

Bonding of gold nanoclusters to oxygen vacancies on rutile TiO2(110)

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Lopez, Nuria; schaub, R.; Thostrup, P.

2003-01-01

Through an interplay between scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we show that bridging oxygen vacancies are the active nucleation sites for Au clusters on the rutile TiO2(110) surface. We find that a direct correlation exists between a decrease in...

Using Dopants to Tune Oxygen Vacancy Formation in Transition Metal Oxide Resistive Memory.

Science.gov (United States)

Jiang, Hao; Stewart, Derek A

2017-05-17

Introducing dopants is an important way to tailor and improve electronic properties of transition metal oxides used as high-k dielectric thin films and resistance switching layers in leading memory technologies, such as dynamic and resistive random access memory (ReRAM). Ta 2 O 5 has recently received increasing interest because Ta 2 O 5 -based ReRAM demonstrates high switching speed, long endurance, and low operating voltage. However, advances in optimizing device characteristics with dopants have been hindered by limited and contradictory experiments in this field. We report on a systematic study on how various metal dopants affect oxygen vacancy formation in crystalline and amorphous Ta 2 O 5 from first principles. We find that isoelectronic dopants and weak n-type dopants have little impact on neutral vacancy formation energy and that p-type dopants can lower the formation energy significantly by introducing holes into the system. In contrast, n-type dopants have a deleterious effect and actually increase the formation energy for charged oxygen vacancies. Given the similar doping trend reported for other binary transition metal oxides, this doping trend should be universally valid for typical binary transition metal oxides. Based on this guideline, we propose that p-type dopants (Al, Hf, Zr, and Ti) can lower the forming/set voltage and improve retention properties of Ta 2 O 5 ReRAM.

First-principles investigation of CO adsorption on pristine, C-doped and N-vacancy defected hexagonal AlN nanosheets

Science.gov (United States)

Ouyang, Tianhong; Qian, Zhao; Ahuja, Rajeev; Liu, Xiangfa

2018-05-01

The optimized atomic structures, energetics and electronic structures of toxic gas CO adsorption systems on pristine, C-doped and N-vacancy defected h-AlN nanosheets respectively have been investigated using Density functional theory (DFT-D2 method) to explore their potential gas detection or sensing capabilities. It is found that both the C-doping and the N-vacancy defect improve the CO adsorption energies of AlN nanosheet (from pure -3.847 eV to -5.192 eV and -4.959 eV). The absolute value of the system band gap change induced by adsorption of CO can be scaled up to 2.558 eV or 1.296 eV after C-doping or N-vacancy design respectively, which is evidently larger than the value of 0.350 eV for pristine material and will benefit the robustness of electronic signals in potential gas detection. Charge transfer mechanisms between CO and the AlN nanosheet have been presented by the Bader charge and differential charge density analysis to explore the deep origin of the underlying electronic structure changes. This theoretical study is proposed to predict and understand the CO adsorption properties of the pristine and defected h-AlN nanosheets and would help to guide experimentalists to develop better AlN-based two-dimensional materials for efficient gas detection or sensing applications in the future.

The effect of electron localization on the electronic structure and migration barrier of oxygen vacancies in rutile.

Science.gov (United States)

Zhu, Linggang; Hu, Qing-Miao; Yang, Rui

2014-02-05

By applying the on-site Coulomb interaction (Hubbard term U) to the Ti d orbital, the influence of electron localization on the electronic structure as well as the transport of oxygen vacancies (VO) in rutile was investigated. With U = 4.5 eV, the positions of defect states in the bandgap were correctly reproduced. The unbonded electrons generated by taking out one neutral oxygen atom are spin parallel and mainly localized on the Ti atoms near VO, giving rise to a magnetic moment of 2 μB, in agreement with the experimental finding. With regard to the migration barrier of VO, surprisingly, we found that U = 4.5 eV only changed the value of the energy barrier by ±0.15 eV, depending on the diffusion path. The most probable diffusion path (along [110]) is the same as that calculated by using the traditional GGA functional. To validate the GGA + U method itself, a hybrid functional with a smaller supercell was used, and the trend of the more probable diffusion path was not changed. In this regard, the traditional GGA functional might still be reliable in the study of intrinsic-defect transportation in rutile. Analyzing the atomic distortion and density of states of the transition states for different diffusion paths, we found that the anisotropy of the diffusion could be rationalized according to the various atomic relaxations and the different positions of the valence bands relative to the Fermi level of the transition states.

Vacancies and defect levels in III–V semiconductors

KAUST Repository

Tahini, H. A.

2013-08-13

Using electronic structure calculations, we systematically investigate the formation of vacancies in III-V semiconductors (III = Al, Ga, and In and V = P, As, and Sb), for a range of charges ( −3≤q≤3 ) as a function of the Fermi level and under different growth conditions. The formation energies were corrected using the scheme due to Freysoldt et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 016402 (2009)] to account for finite size effects. Vacancy formation energies were found to decrease as the size of the group V atom increased. This trend was maintained for Al-V, Ga-V, and In-V compounds. The negative-U effect was only observed for the arsenic vacancy in GaAs, which makes a charge state transition from +1 to –1. It is also found that even under group III rich conditions, group III vacancies dominate in AlSb and GaSb. For InSb, group V vacancies are favoured even under group V rich conditions.

Vacancies and defect levels in III–V semiconductors

KAUST Repository

Tahini, H. A.; Chroneos, Alexander; Grimes, R. W.; Murphy, S. T.; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo

2013-01-01

Using electronic structure calculations, we systematically investigate the formation of vacancies in III-V semiconductors (III = Al, Ga, and In and V = P, As, and Sb), for a range of charges ( −3≤q≤3 ) as a function of the Fermi level and under different growth conditions. The formation energies were corrected using the scheme due to Freysoldt et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 016402 (2009)] to account for finite size effects. Vacancy formation energies were found to decrease as the size of the group V atom increased. This trend was maintained for Al-V, Ga-V, and In-V compounds. The negative-U effect was only observed for the arsenic vacancy in GaAs, which makes a charge state transition from +1 to –1. It is also found that even under group III rich conditions, group III vacancies dominate in AlSb and GaSb. For InSb, group V vacancies are favoured even under group V rich conditions.

Simulation of pure and defective wurtzite-type ZnO

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maldonado, Frank; Stashans, Arvids [Grupo de FisicoquImica de Materiales, Instituto de Quimica Aplicada, Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja, Apartado 11-01-608, Loja (Ecuador)], E-mail: arvids@utpl.edu.ec

2009-12-15

Changes in the structural and electronic properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) due to the O vacancy and F-centre were studied using a semi-empirical quantum-chemical approach based on Hartree-Fock theory. A periodic supercell of 128 atoms was exploited throughout the study. The semi-empirical parameters for the Zn atom are obtained by reproducing the main properties of the ZnO crystal as well as the first three ionization potentials of the Zn atom. The perturbation imposed by the defect leads to atomic relaxation, which is computed and discussed in detail. It is found that electron density redistribution in the vicinity of defects plays an important role in the determination of atomic movements. The introduction of an oxygen vacancy generates a local one-electron energy level placed below the conduction band while the presence of an F-centre produces a local energy level just above the upper valence band of the material. The deep situation of the local energy level corresponding to the F-centre implies that the F-centre cannot serve as a source of unintentional n-type electrical conductivity in ZnO. Changes in the chemical bonding are observed, showing that it becomes slightly more covalent because of oxygen-vacancy-type defects.

Simulation of pure and defective wurtzite-type ZnO

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Maldonado, Frank; Stashans, Arvids

2009-01-01

Changes in the structural and electronic properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) due to the O vacancy and F-centre were studied using a semi-empirical quantum-chemical approach based on Hartree-Fock theory. A periodic supercell of 128 atoms was exploited throughout the study. The semi-empirical parameters for the Zn atom are obtained by reproducing the main properties of the ZnO crystal as well as the first three ionization potentials of the Zn atom. The perturbation imposed by the defect leads to atomic relaxation, which is computed and discussed in detail. It is found that electron density redistribution in the vicinity of defects plays an important role in the determination of atomic movements. The introduction of an oxygen vacancy generates a local one-electron energy level placed below the conduction band while the presence of an F-centre produces a local energy level just above the upper valence band of the material. The deep situation of the local energy level corresponding to the F-centre implies that the F-centre cannot serve as a source of unintentional n-type electrical conductivity in ZnO. Changes in the chemical bonding are observed, showing that it becomes slightly more covalent because of oxygen-vacancy-type defects.

Observation of Zn vacancies in ZnO grown by chemical vapor transport

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tuomisto, F.; Saarinen, K. [Laboratory of Physics, Helsinki University of Technology, P.O. Box 1100, 02015 TKK (Finland); Grasza, K.; Mycielski, A. [Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw (Poland)

2006-03-15

We have used positron annihilation spectroscopy to study the vacancy defects in ZnO crystals grown by both the conventional and contactless chemical vapor transport (CVT and CCVT). Our results show that Zn vacancies or Zn vacancy related defects are present in as-grown ZnO, irrespective of the growth method. Zn vacancies are observed in CVT-grown undoped ZnO and (Zn,Mn)O. The Zn vacancies present in undoped CCVT-ZnO are the dominant negatively charged point defect in the material. Doping the material with As introduces also Zn vacancy-related defect complexes with larger open volume. (copyright 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Dynamics of vacancies in two-dimensional Lennard-Jones crystals

Science.gov (United States)

Yao, Zhenwei; Olvera de La Cruz, Monica

2015-03-01

Vacancies represent an important class of crystallographic defects, and their behaviors can be strongly coupled with relevant material properties. We report the rich dynamics of vacancies in two-dimensional Lennard-Jones crystals in several thermodynamic states. Specifically, we numerically observe significantly faster diffusion of the 2-point vacancy with two missing particles in comparison with other types of vacancies; it opens the possibility of doping 2-point vacancies into atomic materials to enhance atomic migration. In addition, the resulting dislocations in the healing of a long vacancy suggest the intimate connection between vacancies and topological defects that may provide an extra dimension in the engineering of defects in extensive crystalline materials for desired properties. We thank the financial support from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering (DDR&E) and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

Study of the movement of oxygen vacancies in the orthorhombic phase of YBa2Cu3O7-x by positron Doppler broadening spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hong Zhang; Xiao-Gan Wang; Yao-Xian Fu

1988-01-01

The positron annihilation Doppler spectroscopy is used to monitor the movement of oxygen vacancy of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x and an activation energy of (0.80 ± 0.10) eV for migration of oxygen vacancy in orthorhombic phase is obtained. (author)

Defect studies in annealed ZnO by positron annihilation spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sanyal, D; Roy, Tapatee Kundu; Chakrabarti, Mahuya; Dechoudhury, Siddhartha; Bhowmick, Debasis; Chakrabarti, Alok [Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, 1/AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064 (India)

2008-01-30

Coincidence Doppler broadening of the positron annihilation technique has been employed to identify the defects in thermally annealed 'as-received' ZnO and thermally annealed ball-milled nanocrystalline ZnO. Results indicate that a significant amount of oxygen vacancy has been created in ZnO due to annealing at about 500 deg. C and above. The results also indicate that the Zn vacancy created during the ball milling process can be easily removed by annealing the sample at about 500 deg. C and above. The defect characterization has also been correlated with the magnetic properties of ZnO.

Defect studies in annealed ZnO by positron annihilation spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sanyal, D; Roy, Tapatee Kundu; Chakrabarti, Mahuya; Dechoudhury, Siddhartha; Bhowmick, Debasis; Chakrabarti, Alok

2008-01-01

Coincidence Doppler broadening of the positron annihilation technique has been employed to identify the defects in thermally annealed 'as-received' ZnO and thermally annealed ball-milled nanocrystalline ZnO. Results indicate that a significant amount of oxygen vacancy has been created in ZnO due to annealing at about 500 deg. C and above. The results also indicate that the Zn vacancy created during the ball milling process can be easily removed by annealing the sample at about 500 deg. C and above. The defect characterization has also been correlated with the magnetic properties of ZnO

Evaluation of vacancy-type defects in ZnO by the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ono, R.; Togimitsu, T.; Sato, W.

2015-01-01

Thermal behavior of vacancy-type defects in polycrystalline ZnO was studied by the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Two-component analysis of the PALS spectra revealed that the defect-related longer-lifetime component decreases as the annealing temperature is raised, and almost disappears within 15 min when annealed at 1,273 K. We also found that the intensity of this component decreases with increasing density of the annealed ZnO pellets; however, little density dependence was seen in its lifetime. These observations evidently suggest that this component having long lifetime of about 400 ps corresponds to the positrons trapped in grain boundaries in the polycrystalline ZnO. (author)

Structural peculiarities and point defects of bulk-ZnO single crystals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kaurova, I.A.; Kuz’micheva, G.M.; Rybakov, V.B.; Cousson, A.; Gayvoronsky, V.Ya.

2014-01-01

Highlights: • ZnO single crystals of different color were grown by the hydrothermal method. • Point defects in ZnO have been firstly investigated by neutron diffraction. • Presence of additional reflections caused by kinetic growth effects was revealed. • The relationship between the color and zinc and oxygen vacancies was found. • Photoinduced variation of transmittance versus the CW laser intensity was analyzed. - Abstract: ZnO single crystals are related to promising direct wide band gap semiconductor materials belonging to the A II B VI type of compounds with wurtzite structure. “Unintentional” n-type conductivity in ZnO may be caused by zinc and oxygen vacancies, and interstitial zinc atoms. To date, the comprehensive structural investigation and analysis of point defects in ZnO is absent in literature. Green, light green and almost colorless ZnO single crystals grown by the hydrothermal method in concentrated alkali solutions 4M(KOH) + 1M(LiOH) + 0.1M(NH 4 OH) on monohedral seeds [0 0 0 1] at crystallization temperatures in the range of 330–350 °C and pressures in the range of 30–50 MPa have been firstly investigated by neutron diffraction. It was revealed the presence of additional reflections (∼12–∼16%) for all the crystals caused by kinetic growth effects that give grounds to assign them to the space group P3 rather than to P6 3 mc. Analysis of the refined compositions together with the color of ZnO crystals does not rule out the relationship between the color and vacancies in the zinc and oxygen positions whose concentration decreases with the discoloration of the samples. The analysis of the photoinduced variation of the total and on-axis transmittance versus the CW laser intensity showed that the colored samples have profound deep defects related to oxygen vacancies

Hydrogen isotope in erbium oxide: Adsorption, penetration, diffusion, and vacancy trapping

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mao, Wei; Chikada, Takumi; Suzuki, Akihiro; Terai, Takayuki; Matsuzaki, Hiroyuki

2015-01-01

Highlights: • H adsorption on cubic Er 2 O 3 surface results in electron transfer from H to the surface. • The H penetration energy of at least 1.6 eV is required for cubic Er 2 O 3 surface. • The dominated mechanisms of H diffusion in bulk Er 2 O 3 are elucidated. • H diffusion near or at vacancies in Er 2 O 3 is an exothermic reaction. - Abstract: In this study, we report results using first-principles density functional theory calculations for four critical aspects of the interaction: H adsorption on Er 2 O 3 surface, surface-to-subsurface penetration of H into Er 2 O 3 , bulk diffusion of H in Er 2 O 3 , and trapping of H at vacancies. We identify surface stable adsorption positions and find that H prefers to transfer electrons to the surfaces and form covalent bonds with the nearest neighboring four oxygen atoms. For low surface coverage of H as in our case (0.89 × 10 14 H/cm 2 ), a penetration energy of at least 1.60 eV is required for cubic Er 2 O 3 surfaces. Further, the H diffusion barrier between the planes defined by Er 2 O 3 units along the favorable <1 1 1> direction is found to be very small – 0.16 eV – whereas higher barriers of 0.41 eV and 1.64 eV are required for diffusion across the planes, somewhat higher than the diffusion energy barrier of 0.20 eV observed experimentally at 873 K. In addition, we predict that interstitial H is exothermically trapped when it approaches a vacancy with the vacancy defect behaving as an electron trap since the H-vacancy defect is found to be more stable than the intrinsic defect

Oxygen vacancy and Moessbauer parameters of Fe doped tin oxides

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nomura, K.; Mudarra Navarro, A.M.; Errico, L.; Rodriguez Torres, C.E.

2013-01-01

It is not clear what the local environment of Fe ions included in rutile structure is. In order to clarify this point, Moessbauer parameters of 57 Fe doped SnO 2 are compared with the results of ab initio calculation taking into account different configurations of iron and oxygen vacancy in the rutile structure of SnO 2 . Calculations were performed using the LAPW+lo method (Wien2k); RMT x Kmax = 7, A mesh of 50 k-points at IBZ, 2x2x2 super cell of SnO 2 . (J.P.N.)

Understanding lattice defects to influence ferromagnetic order of ZnO nanoparticles by Ni, Cu, Ce ions

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Verma, Kuldeep Chand, E-mail: dkuldeep.physics@gmail.com [Department of Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014 (India); Kotnala, R.K., E-mail: rkkotnala@gmail.com [CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, New Delhi 110012 (India)

2017-02-15

Future spintronics technologies based on diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS) will rely heavily on a sound understanding of the microscopic origins of ferromagnetism in such materials. It remains unclear, however, whether the ferromagnetism in DMS is intrinsic - a precondition for spintronics - or due to dopant clustering. For this, we include a simultaneous doping from transition metal (Ni, Cu) and rare earth (Ce) ions in ZnO nanoparticles that increase the antiferromagnetic ordering to achieve high-T{sub c} ferromagnetism. Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns indicate that the dopant ions in ZnO had a wurtzite structure and the dopants, Ni{sup 2+}, Cu{sup 2+}, Ce{sup 3+} ions, are highly influenced the lattice constants to induce lattice defects. The Ni, Cu, Ce ions in ZnO have nanoparticles formation than nanorods was observed in pure sample. FTIR involve some organic groups to induce lattice defects and the metal-oxygen bonding of Zn, Ni, Cu, Ce and O atoms to confirm wurtzite structure. Raman analysis evaluates the crystalline quality, structural disorder and defects in ZnO lattice with doping. Photoluminescence spectra have strong near-band-edge emission and visible emission bands responsible for defects due to oxygen vacancies. The energy band gap is calculated using Tauc relation. Room temperature ferromagnetism has been described due to bound magnetic polarons formation with Ni{sup 2+}, Cu{sup 2+}, Ce{sup 3+} ions in ZnO via oxygen vacancies. The zero field and field cooling SQUID measurement confirm the strength of antiferromagnetism in ZnO. The field cooling magnetization is studied by Curie-Weiss law that include antiferromagnetic interactions up to low temperature. The XPS spectra have involve +3/+4 oxidation states of Ce ions to influence the observed ferromagnetism. - Graphical abstract: The lattice defects/vacancies attributed by Ni and Ce ions in the wurtzite ZnO structure are responsible in high T{sub c} -ferromagnetism due to long-range magnetic

Vacancy-type defects in electron and proton irradiated ZnO and ZnS

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brunner, S.; Puff, W.; Logar, B.; Baumann, H.

1997-01-01

A study aimed at investigating basic properties of radiation induced effects in ZnO and ZnS has been presented. Positron annihilation experiments (both lifetime and Doppler-broadening measurements) were performed on polycrystalline samples. For ZnO it was found that both electron and proton irradiation caused significant changes in the positron annihilation characteristics and several annealing stages were observed, related to the annealing of variously sized vacancy complexes. The lifetime in defected, proton irradiated polycrystalline ZnS samples, grown by chemical vapour deposition, indicates the formation of large defect complexes. The annealing of proton irradiated ZnS in air at temperatures between 650 C and 750 C leads to significant oxidation and transformation into ZnO. 10 refs, 2 figs, 1 tab

Vacancy-type defects in electron and proton irradiated ZnO and ZnS

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Brunner, S.; Puff, W.; Logar, B. [Technische Univ., Graz (Austria). Inst. fuer Kernphysik; Mascher, P. [McMaster Univ., Hamilton, ON (Canada). Dept. of Biology; Balogh, A.G. [Technische Hochschule Darmstadt (Germany); Baumann, H. [Frankfurt Univ. (Germany). Inst. fuer Kernphysik

1997-10-01

A study aimed at investigating basic properties of radiation induced effects in ZnO and ZnS has been presented. Positron annihilation experiments (both lifetime and Doppler-broadening measurements) were performed on polycrystalline samples. For ZnO it was found that both electron and proton irradiation caused significant changes in the positron annihilation characteristics and several annealing stages were observed, related to the annealing of variously sized vacancy complexes. The lifetime in defected, proton irradiated polycrystalline ZnS samples, grown by chemical vapour deposition, indicates the formation of large defect complexes. The annealing of proton irradiated ZnS in air at temperatures between 650 C and 750 C leads to significant oxidation and transformation into ZnO. 10 refs, 2 figs, 1 tab.

Defect generation and activation processes in HfO{sub 2} thin films: Contributions to stress-induced leakage currents

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Oettking, Rolf; Leitsmann, Roman; Lazarevic, Florian; Plaenitz, Philipp [AQcomputare, Business Unit MATcalc, Chemnitz (Germany); Kupke, Steve; Roll, Guntrade; Slesazeck, Stefan [NaMLab gGmbH, Dresden (Germany); Nadimi, Ebrahim [AQcomputare, Business Unit MATcalc, Chemnitz (Germany); K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Tehran (Iran, Islamic Republic of); Trentzsch, Martin [Globalfoundries Dresden, Dresden (Germany); Mikolajick, Thomas [Technische Universitaet Dresden, Fakultaet Elektrotechnik und Informationstechnik, Institut fuer Halbleiter- und Mikrosystemtechnik, Dresden (Germany)

2015-03-01

An important source of degradation in thin dielectric material layers is the generation and migration of oxygen vacancies. We investigated the formation of Frenkel pairs (FPs) in HfO{sub 2} as the first structural step for the creation of new defects as well as the migration of preexisting and newly built oxygen vacancies by nudged elastic band (NEB) calculations and stress induced leakage current (SILC) experiments. The analysis indicates, that for neutral systems no stable intimate FPs are built, whereas for the charge states q = ± 2 FPs are formed at threefold and at fourfold coordinated oxygen lattice sites. Their generation and annihilation rate are in equilibrium according to the Boltzmann statistics. Distant FPs (stable defects) are unlikely to build due to high formation energies and therefore cannot be accounted for the measured gate leakage current increase of nMOSFETs under constant voltage stress. The negatively charged oxygen vacancies were found to be very immobile in contrast to positively charged V{sub 0}'s with a low migration barrier that coincides well with the experimentally obtained activation energy. We show that rather the activation of preexisting defects and migration towards the interface than the defect generation are the cause for the gate oxide degradation. (copyright 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Understanding cation ordering and oxygen vacancy site preference in Ba3CaNb2O9 from first-principles

Science.gov (United States)

Ding, Hepeng; Virkar, Anil; Liu, Feng

2014-03-01

We investigate the physical mechanism underlying the formation of the B-site cation ordering and the oxygen vacancy site selection in Ba3CaNb2O9 using density functional theory calculations. We found that either cation site exchange or oxygen vacancy formation induces negligible lattice strain. This implies that the ionic radius plays an insignificant role in governing these two processes. Furthermore, the electrostatic interactions are found dominant in the ordering of mixed valence species on one or more sites, the ionic bond strength is identified as the dominant force in governing both the 1:2 B-site cation ordering along the direction and the oxygen vacancy site preference in Ba3CaNb2O9. Specifically, the cation ordering can be rationalized by the increased mixing bonding energy of the Ca-O-Nb bonds over the Ca-O-Ca and Nb-O-Nb bonds, i.e., 1/2(Ca-O-Ca + Nb-O-Nb) Grant Number DE-SC0001061 as a flow through from the University of South Carolina.

OXYGEN TRANSPORT CERAMIC MEMBRANES

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dr. Sukumar Bandopadhyay; Dr. Nagendra Nagabhushana

2000-10-01

This is the third quarterly report on oxygen Transport Ceramic Membranes. In the following, the report describes the progress made by our university partners in Tasks 1 through 6, experimental apparatus that was designed and built for various tasks of this project, thermodynamic calculations, where applicable and work planned for the future. (Task 1) Design, fabricate and evaluate ceramic to metal seals based on graded ceramic powder/metal braze joints. (Task 2) Evaluate the effect of defect configuration on ceramic membrane conductivity and long term chemical and structural stability. (Task 3) Determine materials mechanical properties under conditions of high temperatures and reactive atmospheres. (Task 4) Evaluate phase stability and thermal expansion of candidate perovskite membranes and develop techniques to support these materials on porous metal structures. (Task 5) Assess the microstructure of membrane materials to evaluate the effects of vacancy-impurity association, defect clusters, and vacancy-dopant association on the membrane performance and stability. (Task 6) Measure kinetics of oxygen uptake and transport in ceramic membrane materials under commercially relevant conditions using isotope labeling techniques.

Oxygen vacancy induced magnetization switching in Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} epitaxial ultrathin films on GaAs(100)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Huang, Zhaocong, E-mail: zhaocong.huang@gmail.com [Department of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189 (China); Spintronics and Nanodevice Laboratory, Department of Electronics, University of York, York YO10 5DD (United Kingdom); School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096 (China); Chen, Qian; Zhai, Ya, E-mail: yazhai@seu.edu.cn, E-mail: jlwang@seu.edu.cn; Wang, Jinlan, E-mail: yazhai@seu.edu.cn, E-mail: jlwang@seu.edu.cn [Department of Physics, Southeast University, Nanjing 211189 (China); Xu, Yongbing [Spintronics and Nanodevice Laboratory, Department of Electronics, University of York, York YO10 5DD (United Kingdom); Wang, Baoping [School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096 (China)

2015-05-04

The magnetic and transport properties of half metallic Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}, which are sensitive to the stoichiometry, are the key issue for applications in spintronics. An anomalous enlargement of the saturation magnetic moment is found in a relatively thick sample of epitaxial Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} film by post-growth oxidation method. The investigation of the thickness dependence of magnetic moment suggests that the enhanced magnetism moment may come from the existence of oxygen vacancies. First-principles calculations reveal that with oxygen vacancies in Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} crystal the spin of Fe ions in the tetrahedron site near the vacancy is much easier to switch parallel to the Fe ions in the octahedron site by temperature disturbance, supported by the temperature dependence of magnetic moment of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} films in experiment.

Positron trapping at defects in copper oxide superconductors

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McMullen, T.; Jena, P.; Khanna, S.N.; Li, Y.; Jensen, K.O.

1991-01-01

Positron states and lifetimes at defects in the copper oxide superconductors La 2-x Sr x CuO 4 , YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x , and Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x are calculated with use of the superposed-atom model. In the Bi 2 Sr 2 CaCu 2 O 8+x compound, we find that the smaller metal-ion vacancies appear to only bind positrons weakly, while missing oxygens do not trap positrons. In contrast, metal-ion vacancies in La 2-x Sr x CuO 4 and YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-x bind positrons by ∼1 eV, and oxygen-related defects appear to be the weak-binding sites in these materials. The sites that bind positrons only weakly, by energies ∼k BT , are of particular interest in view of the complex temperature dependences of the annihilation characteristics that are observed in these materials

Excess Oxygen Defects in Layered Cuprates

Science.gov (United States)

Lightfoot, P.; Pei, S. Y.; Jorgensen, J. D.; Manthiram, A.; Tang, X. X.; Goodenough, J. B.

1990-09-01

Neutron powder diffraction has been used to study the oxygen defect chemistry of two non-superconducting layered cuprates, La{sub 1. 25}Dy{sub 0.75}Cu{sub 3.75}F{sub 0.5}, having a T{sup {asterisk}}- related structure, and La{sub 1.85}Sr{sub 1.15}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 6.25}, having a structure related to that of the newly discovered double-layer superconductor La{sub 2-x}Sr{sub x}CaCu{sub 2}O{sub 6}. The role played by oxygen defects in determining the superconducting properties of layered cuprates is discussed.

Investigation of defects in In–Ga–Zn oxide thin film using electron spin resonance signals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nonaka, Yusuke; Kurosawa, Yoichi; Komatsu, Yoshihiro; Ishihara, Noritaka; Oota, Masashi; Nakashima, Motoki; Hirohashi, Takuya; Takahashi, Masahiro; Yamazaki, Shunpei; Obonai, Toshimitsu; Hosaka, Yasuharu; Koezuka, Junichi; Yamauchi, Jun

2014-01-01

In–Ga–Zn oxide (IGZO) is a next-generation semiconductor material seen as an alternative to silicon. Despite the importance of the controllability of characteristics and the reliability of devices, defects in IGZO have not been fully understood. We investigated defects in IGZO thin films using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. In as-sputtered IGZO thin films, we observed an ESR signal which had a g-value of g = 2.010, and the signal was found to disappear under thermal treatment. Annealing in a reductive atmosphere, such as N 2 atmosphere, generated an ESR signal with g = 1.932 in IGZO thin films. The temperature dependence of the latter signal suggests that the signal is induced by delocalized unpaired electrons (i.e., conduction electrons). In fact, a comparison between the conductivity and ESR signal intensity revealed that the signal's intensity is related to the number of conduction electrons in the IGZO thin film. The signal's intensity did not increase with oxygen vacancy alone but also with increases in both oxygen vacancy and hydrogen concentration. In addition, first-principle calculation suggests that the conduction electrons in IGZO may be generated by defects that occur when hydrogen atoms are inserted into oxygen vacancies

Investigation of defects in In–Ga–Zn oxide thin film using electron spin resonance signals

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nonaka, Yusuke; Kurosawa, Yoichi; Komatsu, Yoshihiro; Ishihara, Noritaka; Oota, Masashi; Nakashima, Motoki; Hirohashi, Takuya; Takahashi, Masahiro; Yamazaki, Shunpei [Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., 398 Hase, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0036 (Japan); Obonai, Toshimitsu; Hosaka, Yasuharu; Koezuka, Junichi [Advanced Film Device, Inc., 161-2 Masuzuka, Tsuga-machi, Tochigi, Tochigi 328-0114 (Japan); Yamauchi, Jun [Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd., 398 Hase, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0036 (Japan); Emeritus Professor of Kyoto University, Oiwake-cho, Kitashirakawa, Kyoto 606-8502 (Japan)

2014-04-28

In–Ga–Zn oxide (IGZO) is a next-generation semiconductor material seen as an alternative to silicon. Despite the importance of the controllability of characteristics and the reliability of devices, defects in IGZO have not been fully understood. We investigated defects in IGZO thin films using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. In as-sputtered IGZO thin films, we observed an ESR signal which had a g-value of g = 2.010, and the signal was found to disappear under thermal treatment. Annealing in a reductive atmosphere, such as N{sub 2} atmosphere, generated an ESR signal with g = 1.932 in IGZO thin films. The temperature dependence of the latter signal suggests that the signal is induced by delocalized unpaired electrons (i.e., conduction electrons). In fact, a comparison between the conductivity and ESR signal intensity revealed that the signal's intensity is related to the number of conduction electrons in the IGZO thin film. The signal's intensity did not increase with oxygen vacancy alone but also with increases in both oxygen vacancy and hydrogen concentration. In addition, first-principle calculation suggests that the conduction electrons in IGZO may be generated by defects that occur when hydrogen atoms are inserted into oxygen vacancies.

Defects Identification and Effects of Annealing on Lu2(1-xY2xSiO5 (LYSO Single Crystals for Scintillation Application

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Samuel Blahuta

2011-07-01

Full Text Available The nature, properties and relative concentrations of electronic defects were investigated by Thermoluminescence (TL in Lu2(1-xY2xSiO5 (LYSO single crystals. Ce and Tb-doped single crystals, grown by the Czochralski technique (CZ, revealed similar traps in TL. LYSO:Ce single crystals were grown by the Floating-Zone technique (FZ with increasing oxygen concentration in the growth atmosphere. TL intensity is strongly dependent on the oxygen content of the material, and oxygen vacancies are proven to be the main electronic defects in LYSO. The effects of oxidizing and reducing annealing post-treatment on these defects were investigated. While oxidizing treatments efficiently reduce the amount of electronic defects, reducing treatments increase the amount of existing traps. In a thermally assisted tunneling mechanism, the localization of oxygen vacancies around the dopant is discussed. They are shown to be in the close vicinity of the dopant, though not in first neighbor positions.

Defect mediated magnetic interaction and high Tc ferromagnetism in Co doped ZnO nanoparticles.

Science.gov (United States)

Pal, Bappaditya; Giri, P K

2011-10-01

Structural, optical and magnetic studies have been carried out for the Co-doped ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). ZnO NPs are doped with 3% and 5% Co using ball milling and ferromagnetism (FM) is studied at room temperature and above. A high Curie temperature (Tc) has been observed from the Co doped ZnO NPs. X-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis confirm the absence of metallic Co clusters or any other phase different from würtzite-type ZnO. UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence studies on the doped samples show change in band structure and oxygen vacancy defects, respectively. Micro-Raman studies of doped samples shows defect related additional strong bands at 547 and 574 cm(-1) confirming the presence of oxygen vacancy defects in ZnO lattice. The field dependence of magnetization (M-H curve) measured at room temperature exhibits the clear M-H loop with saturation magnetization and coercive field of the order of 4-6 emu/g and 260 G, respectively. Temperature dependence of magnetization measurement shows sharp ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition with a high Tc = 791 K for 3% Co doped ZnO NPs. Ferromagnetic ordering is interpreted in terms of overlapping of polarons mediated through oxygen vacancy defects based on the bound magnetic polaron (BMP) model. We show that the observed FM data fits well with the BMP model involving localised carriers and magnetic cations.

Benign Synthesis of Black Microspheres of Anatase TiO2 with Paramagnetic Oxygen Vacancies through NH3 Treatment.

Science.gov (United States)

Maqbool, Qysar; Srivastava, Aasheesh

2017-10-09

Coloured TiO 2 is coveted for its ability to extract energy from the visible region of electromagnetic spectrum. Here a facile synthesis of black anatase titania microspheres (B-TiO 2 ) through a two-step process is reported. In the first step, amorphous white TiO 2 microspheres (W-TiO 2 ) are obtained by hydrolysing titanium tetraisopropoxide by ammonia vapours in ethanol. In the second step, the W-TiO 2 is thermally annealed at 500 °C to obtain B-TiO 2 . The diffuse reflectance analysis showed that B-TiO 2 absorbs across visible spectrum with absorption extending well into NIR region. Raman scattering together with EPR analysis showed compelling evidence of the existence of oxygen deficiency within the crystal in B-TiO 2 that induces black colouration in the sample. The defects present in the black anatase sample were confirmed to be single-electron-trapped (or paramagnetic) oxygen vacancies (V o ⋅) by XPS and EPR studies. The magnetic susceptibility studies showed existence of antiferromagnetic interactions between these unpaired electron spins. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Implications of defect clusters formed in cascades on free defect generation and microstructural development

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wiedersich, H.

1992-12-01

A large fraction of the defects produced by irradiation with energetic neutrons or heavy ions originates in cascades. Not only increased recombination of vacancy and interstitial defects but also significant clustering of like defects occur. Both processes reduce the number of point defects available for long range migration. Consequences of defect clustering in cascades will be discussed in a semi-quantitative form with the aid of calculations using a very simplified model: Quasi-steady-state distributions of immobile vacancy and/or interstitial clusters develop which, in turn, can become significant sinks for mobile defects, and, therefore reduce their lifetime. Although cluster sinks will cause segregation and, potentially, precipitation of second phases due to local changes of composition, the finite lifetime of clusters will not lead to lasting, local compositional changes. A transition from highly dense interstitial and vacancy cluster distributions to the void swelling regime occurs when the thermal evaporation of vacancies from small vacancy clusters becomes significant at higher temperatures. Unequal clustering of vacancies and interstitials leads to an imbalance of their fluxes of in the matrix and, hence, to unequal contributions to atom transport by interstitials and by vacancies even in the quasi-steady state approximation

Defect kinetics in novel detector materials

CERN Document Server

MacEvoy, B C

2000-01-01

Silicon particle detectors will be used extensively in experiments at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, where unprecedented particle fluences will cause significant atomic displacement damage. We present a model of the evolution of defect concentrations and consequent electrical behaviour in "novel" detector materials with various oxygen and carbon impurity concentrations. The divacancy-oxygen (V/sub 2/O) defect is identified as the cause of changes in device characteristics during /sup 60/Co gamma irradiation. In the case of hadron irradiation changes in detector doping concentration (N/sub eff/) are dominated by cluster defects, in particular the divacancy (V/sub 2/), which exchange charge directly via a non-Shockley-Read- Hall mechanism. The V/sub 2/O defect also contributes to Ne/sub eff/. This defect is more copiously produced during 24 GeV/c proton irradiation than during 1 MeV neutron irradiation on account of the higher vacancy introduction rate, hence the radiation hardness of materials is more sensiti...

Oxygen vacancies induced enhancement of photoconductivity of La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 - δ thin film

Science.gov (United States)

Gao, R. L.; Fu, C. L.; Cai, W.; Chen, G.; Deng, X. L.; Yang, H. W.; Sun, J. R.; Zhao, Y. G.; Shen, B. G.

2014-09-01

Effects of light and electrical current on the electrical transport properties and photovoltaic properties of oxygen-stoichiometric La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 and oxygen-deficient La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 - δ films prepared by pulsed laser deposition have been investigated. Oxygen-deficient films annealed in a vacuum show an obvious increase of resistance and lattice parameter. Besides, a direct correlation between the magnitude of the photoconductivity and oxygen vacancies in La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 - δ films has been observed. The light illumination causes a resistance drop to show the photoconductivity effect. Moreover, the photoconductivity can be remarkably enhanced by increasing the electrical current, that is, it exhibits current-enhanced photoconductivity (CEPC) effect. Oxygen deficiency in the annealed film leads to the formation of a structural disorder in the Co-O-Co conduction channel due to the accumulated oxygen vacancies and hence is believed to be responsible for the increase in higher photoconductivity. These results may be important for practical applications in photoelectric devices.

Radiation-induced defects in LiAlO{sub 2} crystals: Holes trapped by lithium vacancies and their role in thermoluminescence

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Holston, M.S.; McClory, J.W.; Giles, N.C. [Department of Engineering Physics, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433 (United States); Halliburton, L.E., E-mail: Larry.Halliburton@mail.wvu.edu [Department of Physics and Astronomy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 (United States)

2015-04-15

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is used to identify the primary hole trap in undoped lithium aluminate (LiAlO{sub 2}) crystals. Our interest in this material arises because it is a candidate for radiation detection applications involving either optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) or thermoluminescence (TL). During an x-ray irradiation at room temperature, holes are trapped at oxygen ions adjacent to lithium vacancies. Large concentrations of these lithium vacancies are introduced into the crystal during growth. With the magnetic field along the [001] direction, the EPR spectrum from these trapped-hole centers consists of eleven lines, evenly spaced but with varying intensities, caused by nearly equal hyperfine interactions with two {sup 27}Al nuclei (I=5/2, 100% abundant). The g matrix is determined from the angular dependence of the EPR spectrum and has principal values of 2.0130, 2.0675, and 2.0015. These g shifts strongly support the model of a hole in a p orbital on an oxygen ion. The adjacent lithium vacancy stabilizes the hole on the oxygen ion. A sequence of pulsed thermal anneals above room temperature shows that the EPR spectrum from the holes trapped adjacent to the lithium vacancies disappears in the 90–120 °C range. The thermal decay of these hole centers directly correlates with an intense TL peak near 105 °C. Signals at lower magnetic field in the 9.4 GHz EPR spectra suggest that the electron trap associated with this TL peak at 105 °C may be a transition-metal-ion impurity, most likely Fe, located at a cation site. Additional less intense TL peaks are observed near 138, 176, and 278 °C. - Highlights: • Undoped LiAlO{sub 2} crystals are irradiated at room temperature with x-rays. • EPR is used to identify holes trapped at oxygen ions adjacent to lithium vacancies. • Thermal decay of the EPR spectrum correlates with an intense TL peak at 105 °C.

Effects of alloy composition and Si-doping on vacancy defect formation in (InxGa1-x)2O3 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Prozheeva, V.; Hölldobler, R.; von Wenckstern, H.; Grundmann, M.; Tuomisto, F.

2018-03-01

Various nominally undoped and Si-doped (InxGa1-x)2O3 thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition in a continuous composition spread mode on c-plane α-sapphire and (100)-oriented MgO substrates. Positron annihilation spectroscopy in the Doppler broadening mode was used as the primary characterisation technique in order to investigate the effect of alloy composition and dopant atoms on the formation of vacancy-type defects. In the undoped samples, we observe a Ga2O3-like trend for low indium concentrations changing to In2O3-like behaviour along with the increase in the indium fraction. Increasing indium concentration is found to suppress defect formation in the undoped samples at [In] > 70 at. %. Si doping leads to positron saturation trapping in VIn-like defects, suggesting a vacancy concentration of at least mid-1018 cm-3 independent of the indium content.

A first principles study of native defects in alpha-quartz

CERN Document Server

Roma, G

2003-01-01

We present a study of several neutral and charged oxygen and silicon defects in alpha-quartz. We performed plane waves pseudopotential calculations in the framework of density functional theory in the local density approximation. We will show the structures that we obtained for vacancies and interstitials in several charge states and the corresponding formation energies. We discuss the reciprocal dependence of formation energies of charged defects (and thus concentrations) and the electron chemical potential on each other and we determine the latter by iterative self-consistent solution of the equation imposing charge neutrality. Results on defect concentrations, their dependence on oxygen partial pressure, and self-doping effects are presented.

Oxygen vacancy tuned Ohmic-Schottky conversion for enhanced performance in β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} solar-blind ultraviolet photodetectors

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Guo, D. Y.; Wu, Z. P.; An, Y. H.; Guo, X. C.; Chu, X. L.; Sun, C. L.; Tang, W. H., E-mail: whtang@bupt.edu.cn [School of Science, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876 (China); State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876 (China); Li, L. H. [Physics Department, The State University of New York at Potsdam, Potsdam, New York 13676-2294 (United States); Li, P. G., E-mail: pgli@zstu.edu.cn [School of Science, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876 (China); Center for Optoelectronics Materials and Devices, Department of Physics, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018 Zhejiang (China)

2014-07-14

β-Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} epitaxial thin films were deposited using laser molecular beam epitaxy technique and oxygen atmosphere in situ annealed in order to reduce the oxygen vacancy. Metal/semiconductor/metal structured photodetectors were fabricated using as-grown film and annealed film separately. Au/Ti electrodes were Ohmic contact with the as-grown films and Schottky contact with the annealed films. In compare with the Ohmic-type photodetector, the Schottky-type photodetector takes on lower dark current, higher photoresponse, and shorter switching time, which benefit from Schottky barrier controlling electron transport and the quantity of photogenerated carriers trapped by oxygen vacancy significant decreasing.

Vacancies and negative ions in GaAs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Corbel, C.

1991-01-01

We use positron lifetime studies performed in GaAs materials to show the defect properties which can be investigated by implanting positive positrons in semiconductors. The studies concern native and electron irradiation induced defects. These studies show that vacancy charge state and vacancy ionization levels can be determined from positron annihilation. They show also that positrons are trapped by negative ions and give information on their concentration

Enhanced photoluminescence from single nitrogen-vacancy defects in nanodiamonds coated with phenol-ionic complexes

Science.gov (United States)

Bray, Kerem; Previdi, Rodolfo; Gibson, Brant C.; Shimoni, Olga; Aharonovich, Igor

2015-03-01

Fluorescent nanodiamonds are attracting major attention in the field of bio-sensing and bio-labeling. In this work we demonstrate a robust approach to achieve an encapsulation of individual nanodiamonds with phenol-ionic complexes that enhance the photoluminescence from single nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers. We show that single NV centres in the coated nanodiamonds also exhibit shorter lifetimes, opening another channel for high resolution sensing. We propose that the nanodiamond encapsulation reduces the non-radiative decay pathways of the NV color centers. Our results provide a versatile and assessable way to enhance photoluminescence from nanodiamond defects that can be used in a variety of sensing and imaging applications.Fluorescent nanodiamonds are attracting major attention in the field of bio-sensing and bio-labeling. In this work we demonstrate a robust approach to achieve an encapsulation of individual nanodiamonds with phenol-ionic complexes that enhance the photoluminescence from single nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers. We show that single NV centres in the coated nanodiamonds also exhibit shorter lifetimes, opening another channel for high resolution sensing. We propose that the nanodiamond encapsulation reduces the non-radiative decay pathways of the NV color centers. Our results provide a versatile and assessable way to enhance photoluminescence from nanodiamond defects that can be used in a variety of sensing and imaging applications. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4nr07510b

Fen (n=1–6) clusters chemisorbed on vacancy defects in graphene: Stability, spin-dipole moment, and magnetic anisotropy

KAUST Repository

Haldar, Soumyajyoti

2014-05-09

In this work, we have studied the chemical and magnetic interactions of Fen (n=1–6) clusters with vacancy defects (monovacancy to correlated vacancies with six missing C atoms) in a graphene sheet by ab initio density functional calculations combined with Hubbard U corrections for correlated Fe-d electrons. It is found that the vacancy formation energies are lowered in the presence of Fe, indicating an easier destruction of the graphene sheet. Due to strong chemical interactions between Fe clusters and vacancies, a complex distribution of magnetic moments appear on the distorted Fe clusters which results in reduced averaged magnetic moments compared to the free clusters. In addition to that, we have calculated spin-dipole moments and magnetic anisotropy energies. The calculated spin-dipole moments arising from anisotropic spin density distributions vary between positive and negative values, yielding increased or decreased effective moments. Depending on the cluster geometry, the easy axis of magnetization of the Fe clusters shows in-plane or out-of-plane behavior.

Simple method to enhance positive bias stress stability of In-Ga-Zn-O thin-film transistors using a vertically graded oxygen-vacancy active layer.

Science.gov (United States)

Park, Ji Hoon; Kim, Yeong-Gyu; Yoon, Seokhyun; Hong, Seonghwan; Kim, Hyun Jae

2014-12-10

We proposed a simple method to deposit a vertically graded oxygen-vacancy active layer (VGA) to enhance the positive bias stress (PBS) stability of amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a-IGZO) thin-film transistors (TFTs). We deposited a-IGZO films by sputtering (target composition; In2O3:Ga2O3:ZnO = 1:1:1 mol %), and the oxygen partial pressure was varied during deposition so that the front channel of the TFTs was fabricated with low oxygen partial pressure and the back channel with high oxygen partial pressure. Using this method, we were able to control the oxygen vacancy concentration of the active layer so that it varied with depth. As a result, the turn-on voltage shift following a 10 000 s PBS of optimized VGA TFT was drastically improved from 12.0 to 5.6 V compared with a conventional a-IGZO TFT, without a significant decrease in the field effect mobility. These results came from the self-passivation effect and decrease in oxygen-vacancy-related trap sites of the VGA TFTs.

Influence of oxygen partial pressure on defect concentrations and on oxygen diffusion in UO2+x

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pizzi, Elisabetta

2013-01-01

The hyper-stoichiometric uranium dioxide (UO 2+x ) is stable over a wide range of temperature and compositions. Such variations of composition and the eventual presence of doping elements or impurities lead to a variation of anionic and electronic defect concentrations. Moreover, many properties of this material are affected by its composition modifications, in particular their atomic transport properties. Firstly we developed a point defect model to evaluate the dependence of the electronic and oxygen defect concentrations upon temperature, equilibrium oxygen partial pressure and impurity content. The physical constants of the model, in particular the equilibrium constants of the defect formation reactions were determined from deviation from stoichiometry and electrical conductivity measurements of literature. This work enabled us to interpret our measures of conductivity, oxygen chemical and self- diffusion coefficients. From a quantitative standpoint, the analysis of our experimental results allows to evaluate the oxygen interstitial diffusion coefficient but also its formation energy. Moreover, an estimate of oxygen di-interstitial formation energy is also provided. Presence of oxygen clusters leads oxygen self- and chemical diffusion to decrease. X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy characterization shows the presence of the same defect in the entire deviation from stoichiometry studied, confirming the approach used to develop the model. (author) [fr

O vacancy formation in (Pr/Gd)BaCo2O5.5 and the role of antisite defects

KAUST Repository

Omotayo Akande, Salawu; Chroneos, Alexander; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo

2017-01-01

that O vacancy formation is significantly easier in PrBaCo2O5.5 than in GdBaCo2O5.5, the difference in formation energy being hardly modified by antisite defects. While pyramidally coordinated Co atoms are not affected, we show that the presence

A Facile Approach to Prepare Black TiO2 with Oxygen Vacancy for Enhancing Photocatalytic Activity

Science.gov (United States)

Chen, Shihao; Xiao, Yang; Hu, Zhengfa; Zhao, Hui; Xie, Wei

2018-01-01

Black TiO2 has triggered worldwide research interest due to its excellent photocatalytic properties. However, the understanding of its structure–property relationships and a more effective, facile and versatile method to produce it remain great challenges. We have developed a facile approach to synthesize black TiO2 nanoparticles with significantly improved light absorption in the visible and infrared regions. The experimental results show that oxygen vacancies are the major factors responsible for black coloration. More importantly, our black TiO2 nanoparticles have no Ti3+ ions. These oxygen vacancies could introduce localized states in the bandgap and act as trap centers, significantly decreasing the electron–hole recombination. The photocatalytic decomposition of both rhodamine B and methylene blue demonstrated that, under ultraviolet light irradiation, better photocatalytic performance is achieved with our black TiO2 nanoparticles than with commercial TiO2 nanoparticles. PMID:29659500

Nonstoichiometry, point defects and magnetic properties in Sr2FeMoO6−δ double perovskites

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kircheisen, R.; Töpfer, J.

2012-01-01

The phase stability, nonstoichiometry and point defect chemistry of polycrystalline Sr 2 FeMoO 6−δ (SFMO) was studied by thermogravimety at 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C. Single-phase SFMO exists between −10.2≤log pO 2 ≤−13.7 at 1200 °C. At lower oxygen partial pressure a mass loss signals reductive decomposition. At higher pO 2 a mass gain indicates oxidative decomposition into SrMoO 4 and SrFeO 3−x . The nonstoichiometry δ at 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C was determined as function of pO 2 . SFMO is almost stoichiometric at the upper phase boundary (e.g. δ=0.006 at 1200 °C and log pO 2 =−10.2) and becomes more defective with decreasing oxygen partial pressure (e.g. δ=0.085 at 1200 °C and log pO 2 =−13.5). Oxygen vacancies are shown to represent majority defects. From the temperature dependence of the oxygen vacancy concentration the defect formation enthalpy was estimated (ΔH OV =253±8 kJ/mol). Samples of different nonstoichiometry δ were prepared by quenching from 1200 °C at various pO 2 . An increase of the unit cell volume with increasing defect concentration δ was found. The saturation magnetization is reduced with increasing nonstoichiometry δ. This demonstrates that in addition to Fe/Mo site disorder, oxygen nonstoichiometry is another source of reduced magnetization values. - Graphical abstract: Nonstoichiometry δ of Sr 2 FeMoO 6−δ as function of oxygen partial pressure at 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C. Highlights: ► Sr 2 FeMoO 6−δ is stable at T=1200 °C at low pO 2 only. ► Nonstoichiometry δ measured at 1200, 1100, and 1000 °C. ► Increase of oxygen vacancy concentration with lower pO 2 . ► Reduction of magnetization with increasing nonstoichiometry δ.

A defect model for UO2+x based on electrical conductivity and deviation from stoichiometry measurements

Science.gov (United States)

Garcia, Philippe; Pizzi, Elisabetta; Dorado, Boris; Andersson, David; Crocombette, Jean-Paul; Martial, Chantal; Baldinozzi, Guido; Siméone, David; Maillard, Serge; Martin, Guillaume

2017-10-01

Electrical conductivity of UO2+x shows a strong dependence upon oxygen partial pressure and temperature which may be interpreted in terms of prevailing point defects. A simulation of this property along with deviation from stoichiometry is carried out based on a model that takes into account the presence of impurities, oxygen interstitials, oxygen vacancies, holes, electrons and clusters of oxygen atoms. The equilibrium constants for each defect reaction are determined to reproduce the experimental data. An estimate of defect concentrations and their dependence upon oxygen partial pressure can then be determined. The simulations carried out for 8 different temperatures (973-1673 K) over a wide range of oxygen partial pressures are discussed and resulting defect equilibrium constants are plotted in an Arrhenius diagram. This provides an estimate of defect formation energies which may further be compared to other experimental data or ab-initio and empirical potential calculations.

Ab-initio study of magnetism behavior in TiO{sub 2} semiconductor with structural defects

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zarhri, Z., E-mail: z.zarhri@gmail.com; Houmad, M.; Ziat, Y.; El Rhazouani, O.; Slassi, A.; Benyoussef, A.; El Kenz, A.

2016-05-15

Magnetic, electronic and structural properties of titanium dioxide material with different structural defects are studied using the first-principles ab-initio calculations and the Korringa–Kohn–Rostoker method (KKR) combined with the coherent potential approximation (CPA) method in connection with the local density approximation (LDA). We investigated all structural defects in rutile TiO{sub 2} such as Titanium interstitial (Ti{sub i}), Titanium anti-sites (Ti{sub o}), Titanium vacancies (V{sub Ti}), Oxygen interstitial (O{sub i}), Oxygen anti-sites (O{sub Ti}) and oxygen vacancies (V{sub o}). Mechanisms of hybridization and interaction between magnetic atoms are investigated. The transition temperature is computed using the Mean Field Approximation (MFA).Magnetic stability energy of ferromagnetic and disordered local moment states is calculated to determine the most stable state. Titanium anti-sites have a half-metallic aspect. We also studied the change type caused by structural defects in this material. - Highlights: • Green function technique is used to study disordered systems. • We used DFT to study electronic structure of TiO{sub 2} perturbed by defects. • TiO{sub 2} with titanium antisite defect posesses a magnetic behavior. • The transition temperature is computed using the Mean Field Approximation.

Hydrogen isotope in erbium oxide: Adsorption, penetration, diffusion, and vacancy trapping

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Mao, Wei, E-mail: mao@nuclear.jp [Department of Nuclear Engineering and Management, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656 (Japan); The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032 (Japan); Chikada, Takumi [Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Shizuoka University, 836 Ohya, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8529 (Japan); Suzuki, Akihiro [Nuclear Professional School, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 2-22, Shirakata-shirane, Tokai, Naka 319-1188, Ibaraki (Japan); Terai, Takayuki [Department of Nuclear Engineering and Management, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656 (Japan); Matsuzaki, Hiroyuki [The University Museum, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032 (Japan)

2015-03-15

Highlights: • H adsorption on cubic Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} surface results in electron transfer from H to the surface. • The H penetration energy of at least 1.6 eV is required for cubic Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} surface. • The dominated mechanisms of H diffusion in bulk Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} are elucidated. • H diffusion near or at vacancies in Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} is an exothermic reaction. - Abstract: In this study, we report results using first-principles density functional theory calculations for four critical aspects of the interaction: H adsorption on Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} surface, surface-to-subsurface penetration of H into Er{sub 2}O{sub 3}, bulk diffusion of H in Er{sub 2}O{sub 3}, and trapping of H at vacancies. We identify surface stable adsorption positions and find that H prefers to transfer electrons to the surfaces and form covalent bonds with the nearest neighboring four oxygen atoms. For low surface coverage of H as in our case (0.89 × 10{sup 14} H/cm{sup 2}), a penetration energy of at least 1.60 eV is required for cubic Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} surfaces. Further, the H diffusion barrier between the planes defined by Er{sub 2}O{sub 3} units along the favorable <1 1 1> direction is found to be very small – 0.16 eV – whereas higher barriers of 0.41 eV and 1.64 eV are required for diffusion across the planes, somewhat higher than the diffusion energy barrier of 0.20 eV observed experimentally at 873 K. In addition, we predict that interstitial H is exothermically trapped when it approaches a vacancy with the vacancy defect behaving as an electron trap since the H-vacancy defect is found to be more stable than the intrinsic defect.

Oxygen potentials, oxygen diffusion coefficients and defect equilibria of nonstoichiometric (U,Pu)O{sub 2±x}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kato, Masato, E-mail: kato.masato@jaea.go.jp [Fukushima Fuels and Materials Department, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 4002 Narita-chou, O-arai machi, Ibaraki 311-1919 (Japan); Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Technology Development Division, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 4-33 Muramatsu Tokai-mura, Ibaraki 319-1194 (Japan); Watanabe, Masashi [Fukushima Fuels and Materials Department, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 4002 Narita-chou, O-arai machi, Ibaraki 311-1919 (Japan); Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Technology Development Division, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 4-33 Muramatsu Tokai-mura, Ibaraki 319-1194 (Japan); Matsumoto, Taku; Hirooka, Shun; Akashi, Masatoshi [Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Technology Development Division, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 4-33 Muramatsu Tokai-mura, Ibaraki 319-1194 (Japan)

2017-04-15

Oxygen potential of (U,Pu)O{sub 2±x} was evaluated based on defect chemistry using an updated experimental data set. The relationship between oxygen partial pressure and deviation x in (U,Pu)O{sub 2±x} was analyzed, and equilibrium constants of defect formation were determined as functions of Pu content and temperature. Brouwer's diagrams were constructed using the determined equilibrium constants, and a relational equation to determine O/M ratio was derived as functions of O/M ratio, Pu content and temperature. In addition, relationship between oxygen potential and oxygen diffusion coefficients were described. - Highlights: •Brouwer’s diagrams for (U,Pu)O2 were constructed using the updated oxygen potential experimental data set. •Equilibrium constants of defect formation were determined as functions of Pu content and temperature. •Oxygen potential, oxygen diffusion coefficients, point defect concentration were described as functions of O/M ratio, Pu content and temperature.

Sn doped TiO{sub 2} nanotube with oxygen vacancy for highly efficient visible light photocatalysis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Li, Jinliang; Xu, Xingtao [Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics & Advanced Instrument, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062 (China); Liu, Xinjuan [Institute of Coordination Bond Metrology and Engineering, College of Materials Science and Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou 310018 (China); Yu, Caiyan; Yan, Dong; Sun, Zhuo [Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics & Advanced Instrument, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062 (China); Pan, Likun, E-mail: lkpan@phy.ecnu.edu.cn [Engineering Research Center for Nanophotonics & Advanced Instrument, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, Department of Physics, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062 (China)

2016-09-15

Sn doped TiO{sub 2} nanotube with oxygen vacancy (V{sub o}-Sn−TiO{sub 2}) was successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal process and subsequent annealing in nitrogen atmosphere. The morphology, structure and photocatalytic performance of V{sub o}-Sn−TiO{sub 2} in the degradation of nitrobenzene were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and electrochemical impedance spectra, respectively. The inner diameter, outer diameter and specific surface area of V{sub o}-Sn−TiO{sub 2} are about 5 nm, 15 nm and 235.54 m{sup 2} g{sup −1}, respectively. The experimental results show that the V{sub o}-Sn−TiO{sub 2} exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance with a maximum degradation rate of 92% in 300 min for nitrobenzene and 94% in 100 min for Rhodamine B and corresponding mineralization rates of 68% and 70% under visible light irradiation. The improved photocatalytic performance is ascribed to the enhanced light absorption and specific surface area as well as the reduced electron-hole pair recombination with the presence of oxygen vacancy and Sn doping in the TiO{sub 2} nanotube. - Highlights: • Photocatalysis is an environmental-friendly technology for nitrobenzene removal. • Sn doped TiO{sub 2} nanotube with oxygen vacancy is fabricated for the first time. • It exhibits excellent photocatalytic performance in degradation of nitrobenzene. • A high degradation rate of 92% is achieved under visible light irradiation.

Evolution of native point defects in ZnO bulk probed by positron annihilation spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Peng, Cheng-Xiao; Wang, Ke-Fan; Zhang, Yang; Guo, Feng-Li; Weng, Hui-Min; Ye, Bang-Jiao

2009-05-01

This paper studies the evolution of native point defects with temperature in ZnO single crystals by positron lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) spectroscopy, combined with the calculated results of positron lifetime and electron momentum distribution. The calculated and experimental results of the positron lifetime in ZnO bulk ensure the presence of zinc monovacancy, and zinc monovacancy concentration begins to decrease above 600 °C annealing treatment. CDB is an effective method to distinguish the elemental species, here we combine this technique with calculated electron momentum distribution to determine the oxygen vacancies, which do not trap positrons due to their positive charge. The CDB spectra show that oxygen vacancies do not appear until 600 °C annealing treatment, and increase with the increase of annealing temperature. This study supports the idea that green luminescence has a close relation with oxygen vacancies.

Evolution of native point defects in ZnO bulk probed by positron annihilation spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cheng-Xiao, Peng; Ke-Fan, Wang; Yang, Zhang; Feng-Li, Guo; Hui-Min, Weng; Bang-Jiao, Ye

2009-01-01

This paper studies the evolution of native point defects with temperature in ZnO single crystals by positron lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) spectroscopy, combined with the calculated results of positron lifetime and electron momentum distribution. The calculated and experimental results of the positron lifetime in ZnO bulk ensure the presence of zinc monovacancy, and zinc monovacancy concentration begins to decrease above 600 °C annealing treatment. CDB is an effective method to distinguish the elemental species, here we combine this technique with calculated electron momentum distribution to determine the oxygen vacancies, which do not trap positrons due to their positive charge. The CDB spectra show that oxygen vacancies do not appear until 600 °C annealing treatment, and increase with the increase of annealing temperature. This study supports the idea that green luminescence has a close relation with oxygen vacancies

Transmission electron microscope study of neutron irradiation-induced defects in silicon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Oshima, Ryuichiro; Kawano, Tetsuya; Fujimoto, Ryoji

1994-01-01

Commercial Czochralski-grown silicon (Cz-Si) and float-zone silicon (Fz-Si) wafers were irradiated with fission neutrons at various fluences from 10 19 to 10 22 n/cm 2 at temperatures ranging from 473 K to 1043 K. The irradiation induced defect structures were examined by transmission electron microscopy and ultra high voltage electron microscopy, which were compared with Marlowe code computer simulation results. It was concluded that the vacancy-type damage structure formed at 473 K were initiated from collapse of vacancy-rich regions of cascades, while interstitial type defect clusters formed by irradiation above 673 K were associated with interstitial oxygen atoms and free interstitials which diffused out of the cascades. Complex defect structures were identified to consist of {113} and {111} planar faults by the parallel beam illumination diffraction analysis. (author)

Ultrathin FeOOH nanolayers with abundant oxygen vacancies on BiVO{sub 4} photoanodes for efficient water oxidation

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Zhang, Beibei [State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, National Engineering Research Center for Fine Petrochemical Intermediates, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou (China); State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou (China); Wang, Lei; Zhang, Yajun; Bi, Yingpu [State Key Laboratory for Oxo Synthesis and Selective Oxidation, National Engineering Research Center for Fine Petrochemical Intermediates, Lanzhou Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou (China); Ding, Yong [State Key Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metals Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, and College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou (China)

2018-02-19

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising method for storing solar energy in the form of hydrogen fuel, but it is greatly hindered by the sluggish kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, a facile solution impregnation method is developed for growing ultrathin (2 nm) highly crystalline β-FeOOH nanolayers with abundant oxygen vacancies on BiVO{sub 4} photoanodes. These exhibited a remarkable photocurrent density of 4.3 mA cm{sup -2} at 1.23 V (vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), AM 1.5 G), which is approximately two times higher than that of amorphous FeOOH fabricated by electrodeposition. Systematic studies reveal that the excellent PEC activity should be attributed to their ultrathin crystalline structure and abundant oxygen vacancies, which could effectively facilitate the hole transport/trapping and provide more active sites for water oxidation. (copyright 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Impurities of oxygen in silicon

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Gomes, V.M.S.

1985-01-01

The electronic structure of oxygen complex defects in silicon, using molecular cluster model with saturation by watson sphere into the formalism of Xα multiple scattering method is studied. A systematic study of the simulation of perfect silicon crystal and an analysis of the increasing of atom number in the clusters are done to choose the suitable cluster for the calculations. The divacancy in three charge states (Si:V 2 + , Si:V 2 0 , Si:V 2 - ), of the oxygen pair (Si:O 2 ) and the oxygen-vacancy pair (Si:O.V) neighbours in the silicon lattice, is studied. Distortions for the symmetry were included in the Si:V 2 + and Si:O 2 systems. The behavior of defect levels related to the cluster size of Si:V 2 0 and Si:O 2 systems, the insulated oxygen impurity of silicon in interstitial position (Si:O i ), and the complexes involving four oxygen atoms are analysed. (M.C.K.) [pt

Effect of vacancy defect on electrical properties of chiral single-walled carbon nanotube under external electrical field

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Luo Yu-Pin; Tien Li-Gan; Tsai Chuen-Horng; Lee Ming-Hsien; Li Feng-Yin

2011-01-01

Ab initio calculations demonstrated that the energy gap modulation of a chiral carbon nanotube with mono-vacancy defect can be achieved by applying a transverse electric field. The bandstructure of this defective carbon nanotube varying due to the external electric field is distinctly different from those of the perfect nanotube and defective zigzag nanotube. This variation in bandstructure strongly depends on not only the chirality of the nanotube and also the applied direction of the transverse electric field. A mechanism is proposed to explain the response of the local energy gap between the valence band maximum state and the local gap state under external electric field. Several potential applications of these phenomena are discussed. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)

Positron lifetime calculation for defects and defect clusters in graphite

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Onitsuka, T.; Ohkubo, H.; Takenaka, M.; Tsukuda, N.; Kuramoto, E.

2000-01-01

Calculations of positron lifetime have been made for vacancy type defects in graphite and compared with experimental results. Defect structures were obtained in a model graphite lattice after including relaxation of whole lattice as determined by the molecular dynamics method, where the interatomic potential given by Pablo Andribet, Dominguez-Vazguez, Mari Carmen Perez-Martin, Alonso, Jimenez-Rodriguez [Nucl. Instrum. and Meth. 115 (1996) 501] was used. For the defect structures obtained via lattice relaxation positron lifetime was calculated under the so-called atomic superposition method. Positron lifetimes 204 and 222 ps were obtained for the graphite matrix and a single vacancy, respectively, which can be compared with the experimental results 208 and 233 ps. For planar vacancy clusters, e.g., vacancy loops, lifetime calculation was also made and indicated that lifetime increases with the number of vacancies in a cluster. This is consistent with the experimental result in the region of higher annealing temperature (above 1200 deg. C), where the increase of positron lifetime is seen, probably corresponding to the clustering of mobile vacancies

Study of magnetic defects in Nb{sub 2}VSbO{sub 10}

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Typek, J., E-mail: typjan@zut.edu.pl [Institute of Physics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Al. Piastow 48, 70-311 Szczecin (Poland); Cyran, A.; Zolnierkiewicz, G.; Bobrowska, M. [Institute of Physics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Al. Piastow 48, 70-311 Szczecin (Poland); Filipek, E.; Piz, M. [Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Al. Piastow 42, 71-065 Szczecin (Poland)

2017-02-15

Magnetic properties of Nb{sub 2}VSbO{sub 10}, the compound formed in V–Sb–Nb oxide system, were investigated by dc magnetisation measurements using an MPMS-7 SQUID magnetometer and EPR conventional X–band Bruker E 500 spectrometer. Although the nominal valences of the constituting metal ions indicated a diamagnetic material, Nb{sub 2}VSbO{sub 10} displayed rich and interesting magnetic behaviour due to the existence of numerous defects related to oxygen vacancies. Isothermal magnetisation has revealed the presence of three spin subsystems – two different paramagnetic systems and antiferromagnetic spin clusters. EPR spectra showed the presence of three components, involving isolated and interacting V{sup 4+} ions as well as antiferromagnetic spin clusters. All these magnetic defects are the result of valence changes of metal ions due to charge compensation in the neighborhood of oxygen vacancies, most probably located on grains boundaries.

Density functional study of NO adsorption on undefected and oxygen defective Au–BaO(1 0 0) surfaces

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Añez, Rafael, E-mail: ranez@ivic.gob.ve [Laboratorio de Química Física y Catálisis Computacional, Centro de Química, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado, 21827 Caracas (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of); Sierraalta, Aníbal; Bastardo, Anelisse [Laboratorio de Química Física y Catálisis Computacional, Centro de Química, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado, 21827 Caracas (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of); Coll, David [Laboratorio de Físico Química Teórica de Materiales, Centro de Química, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, Apartado, 21827 Caracas (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of); Garcia, Belkis [Instituto Universitario de Tecnología de Valencia IUTVAL, Valencia, Edo. Carabobo (Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of)

2014-07-01

A periodic density functional approach has been used in order to explore the interaction of NO with undoped and Au doped BaO(1 0 0) surface. Due to oxygen vacancies increase the interaction between the doping metal and the surface, F{sub S} and F{sub S}{sup +} vacancies were studied and compared with the results obtained on the undefected doped BaO(1 0 0). Our results indicate that the high basicity of the BaO surface, besides the electron density changes produced by the oxygen vacancies, modify considerably how the Au atom interacts with the surface increasing the ionic character of the interaction. F{sub S} vacancy shows to be a promise center to activate de NO bond on the BaO(1 0 0) surface.

Lattice defects of ZnO and hybrids with GO: Characterization, EPR and optoelectronic properties

Science.gov (United States)

Ahmed, Gulzar; Hanif, Muddasir; Mahmood, Khalid; Yao, Rihui; Ning, Honglong; jiao, Dongling; Wu, Mingmei; Khan, Javid; Liu, Zhongwu

2018-02-01

We have prepared and combined ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) with different graphene oxide (GO) contents (10%, 20% and 30%) via microwave processing. The procedure provided well-dispersed ZnO-NPs between and onto the rGO layers (GZCs). The annealing temperature and graphene oxide contents affected the UV-Vis absorption, PL emission, defect-states of the ZnO, EPR signals, photo-electrochemical response and charge transfer properties. The HRTEM microscopy images of the GZCs showed interpenetrating structures and clearly visible vacancy defects. The results indicated that the defect sites (Zn interstitials, oxygen vacancy, ionized zinc vacancy and oxygen interstitials) significantly decreased after hybridization with GO. The photo-conversion efficiency of the GZC-10% (η = 13.1 x 10-3%), is 13 times higher than the ZnO-NPs (η = 1.02 x 10-3%) illustrating higher exciton production and separation efficiency of the GZCs under photo-excitation. The GZC-10% has lower (8-15 Ω) charge transfer resistance (Rct) compared to all the GZCs under same experimental conditions, therefore an important reason of better performance of the GZC 10%. The EPR spectra showed presence of radicals in all the samples with GZC 10% most intense signal among the different GZCs.

Lattice defects of ZnO and hybrids with GO: Characterization, EPR and optoelectronic properties

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Gulzar Ahmed

2018-02-01

Full Text Available We have prepared and combined ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs with different graphene oxide (GO contents (10%, 20% and 30% via microwave processing. The procedure provided well-dispersed ZnO-NPs between and onto the rGO layers (GZCs. The annealing temperature and graphene oxide contents affected the UV-Vis absorption, PL emission, defect-states of the ZnO, EPR signals, photo-electrochemical response and charge transfer properties. The HRTEM microscopy images of the GZCs showed interpenetrating structures and clearly visible vacancy defects. The results indicated that the defect sites (Zn interstitials, oxygen vacancy, ionized zinc vacancy and oxygen interstitials significantly decreased after hybridization with GO. The photo-conversion efficiency of the GZC-10% (η = 13.1 x 10-3%, is 13 times higher than the ZnO-NPs (η = 1.02 x 10-3% illustrating higher exciton production and separation efficiency of the GZCs under photo-excitation. The GZC-10% has lower (8-15 Ω charge transfer resistance (Rct compared to all the GZCs under same experimental conditions, therefore an important reason of better performance of the GZC 10%. The EPR spectra showed presence of radicals in all the samples with GZC 10% most intense signal among the different GZCs.

Defect formation in LaGa(Mg,Ni)O3-δ : A statistical thermodynamic analysis validated by mixed conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements

Science.gov (United States)

Naumovich, E. N.; Kharton, V. V.; Yaremchenko, A. A.; Patrakeev, M. V.; Kellerman, D. G.; Logvinovich, D. I.; Kozhevnikov, V. L.

2006-08-01

A statistical thermodynamic approach to analyze defect thermodynamics in strongly nonideal solid solutions was proposed and validated by a case study focused on the oxygen intercalation processes in mixed-conducting LaGa0.65Mg0.15Ni0.20O3-δ perovskite. The oxygen nonstoichiometry of Ni-doped lanthanum gallate, measured by coulometric titration and thermogravimetric analysis at 923-1223K in the oxygen partial pressure range 5×10-5to0.9atm , indicates the coexistence of Ni2+ , Ni3+ , and Ni4+ oxidation states. The formation of tetravalent nickel was also confirmed by the magnetic susceptibility data at 77-600K , and by the analysis of p -type electronic conductivity and Seebeck coefficient as function of the oxygen pressure at 1023-1223K . The oxygen thermodynamics and the partial ionic and hole conductivities are strongly affected by the point-defect interactions, primarily the Coulombic repulsion between oxygen vacancies and/or electron holes and the vacancy association with Mg2+ cations. These factors can be analyzed by introducing the defect interaction energy in the concentration-dependent part of defect chemical potentials expressed by the discrete Fermi-Dirac distribution, and taking into account the probabilities of local configurations calculated via binomial distributions.

Radiation-induced defects in Czochralski-grown silicon containing carbon and germanium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Londos, C A; Andrianakis, A; Emtsev, V V; Ohyama, H

2009-01-01

Formation processes of vacancy-oxygen (VO) and carbon interstitial-oxygen interstitial (C i O i ) complexes in electron-irradiated Czochralski-grown Si crystals (Cz–Si), also doped with Ge, are investigated. IR spectroscopy measurements are employed to monitor the production of these defects. In Cz–Si with carbon concentrations [C s ] up to 1 × 10 17 cm −3 and Ge concentrations [Ge] up to 1 × 10 20 cm −3 the production rate of VO defects as well as the rate of oxygen loss show a slight growth of about 10% with the increasing Ge concentration. At high concentrations of carbon [C s ] around 2 × 10 17 cm −3 the production rate of VO defects is getting larger by ∼40% in Cz–Si:Ge at Ge concentrations around 1 × 10 19 cm −3 and then at [Ge] ≈ 2 × 10 20 cm −3 this enlargement drops to ∼13%, thus approaching the values characteristic of lesser concentrations of carbon. A similar behavior against Ge concentration displays the production rate of C i O i complexes. The same trend is also observed for the rate of carbon loss, whereas the trend for the rate of oxygen loss is opposite. The behavior of Ge atoms is different at low and high concentrations of this isoelectronic impurity in Cz–Si. At low concentrations most isolated Ge atoms serve as temporary traps for vacancies preventing them from indirect annihilation with self-interstitials. At high concentrations Ge atoms are prone to form clusters. The latter ones are traps for vacancies and self-interstitials due to the strain fields, increasing the importance of indirect annihilation of intrinsic point defects. Such a model allows one to give a plausible explanation for the obtained results. A new band at 994 cm −1 seen only in irradiated Ge-doped Cz–Si is also studied. Interestingly, its annealing behavior was found to be very similar to that of VO complexes

Role of Defects and Adsorbed Water Film in Influencing the Electrical, Optical and Catalytic Properties of Transition Metal Oxides

Science.gov (United States)

Wang, Qi

obtain a mechanistic understanding of the charge transfer process. We have developed a spectroscopic technique for studying vacancy defects in TMOs using near-infrared photoluminescence (NIR-PL) spectroscopy and showed that this technique is uniquely suited for studying defect-adsorbate interactions. In this work, a series of studies were carried out to elucidate the underlying structure-defect-property correlations of TMOs and their role in catalyzing electrical and electrochemical properties. In the first study, we report a new type of electrical phase transition in p-type, non-stoichiometric nickel oxide involving a semiconductor-to-insulator-to-metal transition along with the complete change of conductivity from p- to n-type at room temperature induced by electrochemical Li+ intercalation. Direct observation of vacancy-ion interactions using in-situ NIR-PL show that the transition is a result of passivation of native nickel (cationic) vacancy defects and subsequent formation of oxygen (anionic) vacancy defects driven by Li+ insertion into the lattice. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy studies performed to examine the changes in the oxidation states of nickel due to defect interactions support the above conclusions. In the second study, main effects of oxygen vacancy defects on the electronic and optical properties of V2O5 nanowires were studied using in-situ Raman, photoluminescence, absorption, and photoemission spectroscopy. We show that both thermal reduction and electrochemical reduction via Li+ insertion results in the creation of oxygen vacancy defects in the crystal that leads to band filling and an increase in the optical band gap of V2O5 from 1.95 eV to 2.45 eV, an effect known as the Burstein-Moss effect. In the third study, we report a new type of semiconductor-adsorbed water interaction in metal oxides known as "electrochemical surface transfer doping," a phenomenon that has been previously been observed on hydrogen-terminated diamond, carbon nanotube

Study on the intrinsic defects in tin oxide with first-principles method

Science.gov (United States)

Sun, Yu; Liu, Tingyu; Chang, Qiuxiang; Ma, Changmin

2018-04-01

First-principles and thermodynamic methods are used to study the contribution of vibrational entropy to defect formation energy and the stability of the intrinsic point defects in SnO2 crystal. According to thermodynamic calculation results, the contribution of vibrational entropy to defect formation energy is significant and should not be neglected, especially at high temperatures. The calculated results indicate that the oxygen vacancy is the major point defect in undoped SnO2 crystal, which has a higher concentration than that of the other point defect. The property of negative-U is put forward in SnO2 crystal. In order to determine the most stable defects much clearer under different conditions, the most stable intrinsic defect as a function of Fermi level, oxygen partial pressure and temperature are described in the three-dimensional defect formation enthalpy diagrams. The diagram visually provides the most stable point defects under different conditions.

Positron annihilation studies of vacancy-type defects and room temperature ferromagnetism in chemically synthesized Li-doped ZnO nanocrystals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ghosh, S.; Khan, Gobinda Gopal; Mandal, K.; Thapa, Samudrajit; Nambissan, P.M.G.

2014-01-01

Highlights: • Evidence of zinc vacancy-induced intrinsic ferromagnetism in Li-doped ZnO. • Modification of defects and properties through alkali metal substitution. • Study of defect-modification using positron annihilation spectroscopy. • New way to prepare ZnO-based magnetic semiconductor for spintronic applications. -- Abstract: In this article, we have investigated the effects of Li incorporation on the lattice defects and room-temperature d 0 ferromagnetic behaviour in ZnO nanocrystals by correlating X-ray photoelectron, photoluminescence and positron annihilation spectroscopic study in details. It is found that at low doping level ( 1+ is an effective substituent of Zn site, but it prefers to occupy the interstitial positions when Li-doping exceeds 7 at.% resulting in lattice expansion and increase of particle sizes. The pristine ZnO nanocrystals exhibit ferromagnetic behaviour which is further enhanced significantly after few percentage of Li-doping in ZnO. The magnitude of both saturation magnetizations (M S ) as well as the Curie temperature (T C ) are found to increase considerably up to Li concentration of 10 at.% and then started to decrease on further Li-doping. The gradual enhancement of Zn vacancy (V Zn ) defects in ZnO nanocrystals due to Li substitution as confirmed from photoluminescence and positron annihilation spectroscopy measurements might be responsible to induce paramagnetic moments within ZnO host. The ferromagnetic exchange interaction between the localised moments of V Zn defects can be mediated though the holes arising due to Li-substitutional (Li Zn ) acceptor defects within ZnO. Hence, Li doping in ZnO favours in stabilizing considerable V Zn defects and thus helps to sustain long-range high-T C ferromagnetism in ZnO which can be a promising material in future spintronics

Positron annihilation studies of vacancy-type defects and room temperature ferromagnetism in chemically synthesized Li-doped ZnO nanocrystals

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ghosh, S., E-mail: sghoshphysics@gmail.com [S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700098 (India); Khan, Gobinda Gopal [Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Calcutta, Technology Campus, Block JD2, Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700098 (India); Mandal, K. [S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Block JD, Sector III, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700098 (India); Thapa, Samudrajit; Nambissan, P.M.G. [Centre for Research in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Calcutta, Technology Campus, Block JD2, Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700098 (India); Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Sector 1, Block AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata 700064 (India)

2014-03-25

Highlights: • Evidence of zinc vacancy-induced intrinsic ferromagnetism in Li-doped ZnO. • Modification of defects and properties through alkali metal substitution. • Study of defect-modification using positron annihilation spectroscopy. • New way to prepare ZnO-based magnetic semiconductor for spintronic applications. -- Abstract: In this article, we have investigated the effects of Li incorporation on the lattice defects and room-temperature d{sup 0} ferromagnetic behaviour in ZnO nanocrystals by correlating X-ray photoelectron, photoluminescence and positron annihilation spectroscopic study in details. It is found that at low doping level (<7 at.%), Li{sup 1+} is an effective substituent of Zn site, but it prefers to occupy the interstitial positions when Li-doping exceeds 7 at.% resulting in lattice expansion and increase of particle sizes. The pristine ZnO nanocrystals exhibit ferromagnetic behaviour which is further enhanced significantly after few percentage of Li-doping in ZnO. The magnitude of both saturation magnetizations (M{sub S}) as well as the Curie temperature (T{sub C}) are found to increase considerably up to Li concentration of 10 at.% and then started to decrease on further Li-doping. The gradual enhancement of Zn vacancy (V{sub Zn}) defects in ZnO nanocrystals due to Li substitution as confirmed from photoluminescence and positron annihilation spectroscopy measurements might be responsible to induce paramagnetic moments within ZnO host. The ferromagnetic exchange interaction between the localised moments of V{sub Zn} defects can be mediated though the holes arising due to Li-substitutional (Li{sub Zn}) acceptor defects within ZnO. Hence, Li doping in ZnO favours in stabilizing considerable V{sub Zn} defects and thus helps to sustain long-range high-T{sub C} ferromagnetism in ZnO which can be a promising material in future spintronics.

Defective ZnCo₂O₄ with Zn vacancies: Synthesis, property and electrochemical application

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Huang, Guoyong; Yang, Yue; Sun, Hongyu

2017-01-01

Through the liquid-phase co-precipitation and alkaline-tailored method, the defective ZnCo2O4 with Zn vacancies (Zn0.95Co2O4) has been synthesized, which is similar to the crystal phase, morphology, and particle size of the pure ZnCo2O4 before etched, except the enlarged BET specific surface. For...

Studies of defects and defect agglomerates by positron annihilation spectroscopy

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Eldrup, Morten Mostgaard; Singh, B.N.

1997-01-01

A brief introduction to positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS), and in particular lo its use for defect studies in metals is given. Positrons injected into a metal may become trapped in defects such as vacancies, vacancy clusters, voids, bubbles and dislocations and subsequently annihilate from...... the trapped state iri the defect. The annihilation characteristics (e.g., the lifetime of the positron) can be measured and provide information about the nature of the defect (e.g., size, density, morphology). The technique is sensitive to both defect size (in the range from monovacancies up to cavities...

Memristive behaviour of Si-Al oxynitride thin films: the role of oxygen and nitrogen vacancies in the electroforming process

Science.gov (United States)

Blázquez, O.; Martín, G.; Camps, I.; Mariscal, A.; López-Vidrier, J.; Ramírez, J. M.; Hernández, S.; Estradé, S.; Peiró, F.; Serna, R.; Garrido, B.

2018-06-01

The resistive switching properties of silicon-aluminium oxynitride (SiAlON) based devices have been studied. Electrical transport mechanisms in both resistance states were determined, exhibiting an ohmic behaviour at low resistance and a defect-related Poole‑Frenkel mechanism at high resistance. Nevertheless, some features of the Al top-electrode are generated during the initial electroforming, suggesting some material modifications. An in-depth microscopic study at the nanoscale has been performed after the electroforming process, by acquiring scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images. The direct observation of the devices confirmed features on the top electrode with bubble-like appearance, as well as some precipitates within the SiAlON. Chemical analysis by electron energy loss spectroscopy has demonstrated that there is an out-diffusion of oxygen and nitrogen ions from the SiAlON layer towards the electrode, thus forming silicon-rich paths within the dielectric layer and indicating vacancy change to be the main mechanism in the resistive switching.

Investigation of intrinsic and extrinsic defects effective role on producing intense red emission in ZnO:Eu nanostructures

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Najafi, Mehrdad, E-mail: najafi@shahroodut.ac.ir; Haratizadeh, Hamid

2015-05-15

Highlights: • Effective role of defects on producing red emission at indirect excitation. • V{sub Zn} and V{sub O} defects have important role on energy transfer. • Mg related defects and Zn{sub i} defects were responsible for blue emission. • Extrinsic and intrinsic defects mediated energy transfer to sensitize Eu{sup 3+} ions. • Decrease of red emission because of diminishing in oxygen vacancy. - Abstract: Europium doped ZnO nanorads and nanosheets were synthesized by hydrothermal method. Effects of Mg doping, morphology and annealing in oxygen ambient on structural and optical properties of ZnO nanostructures were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analysis (PSA), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential thermo gravimetry (DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). This study recommends that both of intrinsic and extrinsic defects facilitate energy transfer (ET) from the ZnO host to Eu{sup 3+} ions and consequently have efficient role on producing intense red emission at indirect excitation. The results also showed that annealing process improved the crystal structure of ZnO nanosheets due to decrease of surface defects; however decreased ET and red emission because of diminishing in oxygen vacancy. In addition in ZnO nanorods sample with more surface area in comparison with ZnO nanosheets sample deep level emissions are enhanced.

Extrinsic- and intrinsic-defect creation in amorphous SiO2

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Devine, R.A.B.; Francou, J.

1990-01-01

We have studied the creation efficiency of various intrinsic and extrinsic defects in high-[OH] amorphous silica subjected to the ultraviolet emission from an O 2 plasma or 60 Co γ-ray radiation. Both oxygen-vacancy- and nitrogen-related defects are observed following γ-ray irradiation or ultraviolet exposure. The wavelength range responsible for defect creation is estimated to be 200 approx-lt λ approx-lt 300 nm (4 approx-lt E photon approx-lt 5.9 eV). The ultraviolet power output of the plasma estimated by comparing defect yields with those from a Hg lamp (λ=185 and 254 nm) suggests 200 approx-lt P approx-lt 900 mW cm -2 for a plasma power density ∼300 mW cm -3 . Nonbridging oxygen-hole centers and hydrogen-related defect centers as well as methyl radical (CH 3 . ) defects are observed after γ-ray irradiation but not after ultraviolet exposure. The efficiency of creation of the various defects is material dependent

Energetics of intrinsic defects in NiO and the consequences for its resistive random access memory performance

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Dawson, J. A., E-mail: jad95@cam.ac.uk; Guo, Y.; Robertson, J. [Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ (United Kingdom)

2015-09-21

Energetics for a variety of intrinsic defects in NiO are calculated using state-of-the-art ab initio hybrid density functional theory calculations. At the O-rich limit, Ni vacancies are the lowest cost defect for all Fermi energies within the gap, in agreement with the well-known p-type behaviour of NiO. However, the ability of the metal electrode in a resistive random access memory metal-oxide-metal setup to shift the oxygen chemical potential towards the O-poor limit results in unusual NiO behaviour and O vacancies dominating at lower Fermi energy levels. Calculated band diagrams show that O vacancies in NiO are positively charged at the operating Fermi energy giving it the advantage of not requiring a scavenger metal layer to maximise drift. Ni and O interstitials are generally found to be higher in energy than the respective vacancies suggesting that significant recombination of O vacancies and interstitials does not take place as proposed in some models of switching behaviour.

Energetics of intrinsic defects in NiO and the consequences for its resistive random access memory performance

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dawson, J. A.; Guo, Y.; Robertson, J.

2015-01-01

Energetics for a variety of intrinsic defects in NiO are calculated using state-of-the-art ab initio hybrid density functional theory calculations. At the O-rich limit, Ni vacancies are the lowest cost defect for all Fermi energies within the gap, in agreement with the well-known p-type behaviour of NiO. However, the ability of the metal electrode in a resistive random access memory metal-oxide-metal setup to shift the oxygen chemical potential towards the O-poor limit results in unusual NiO behaviour and O vacancies dominating at lower Fermi energy levels. Calculated band diagrams show that O vacancies in NiO are positively charged at the operating Fermi energy giving it the advantage of not requiring a scavenger metal layer to maximise drift. Ni and O interstitials are generally found to be higher in energy than the respective vacancies suggesting that significant recombination of O vacancies and interstitials does not take place as proposed in some models of switching behaviour

First-principles study on oxidation effects in uranium oxides and high-pressure high-temperature behavior of point defects in uranium dioxide

Science.gov (United States)

Geng, Hua Y.; Song, Hong X.; Jin, K.; Xiang, S. K.; Wu, Q.

2011-11-01

Formation Gibbs free energy of point defects and oxygen clusters in uranium dioxide at high-pressure high-temperature conditions are calculated from first principles, using the LSDA+U approach for the electronic structure and the Debye model for the lattice vibrations. The phonon contribution on Frenkel pairs is found to be notable, whereas it is negligible for the Schottky defect. Hydrostatic compression changes the formation energies drastically, making defect concentrations depend more sensitively on pressure. Calculations show that, if no oxygen clusters are considered, uranium vacancy becomes predominant in overstoichiometric UO2 with the aid of the contribution from lattice vibrations, while compression favors oxygen defects and suppresses uranium vacancy greatly. At ambient pressure, however, the experimental observation of predominant oxygen defects in this regime can be reproduced only in a form of cuboctahedral clusters, underlining the importance of defect clustering in UO2+x. Making use of the point defect model, an equation of state for nonstoichiometric oxides is established, which is then applied to describe the shock Hugoniot of UO2+x. Furthermore, the oxidization and compression behavior of uranium monoxide, triuranium octoxide, uranium trioxide, and a series of defective UO2 at 0 K are investigated. The evolution of mechanical properties and electronic structures with an increase of the oxidation degree are analyzed, revealing the transition of the ground state of uranium oxides from metallic to Mott insulator and then to charge-transfer insulator due to the interplay of strongly correlated effects of 5f orbitals and the shift of electrons from uranium to oxygen atoms.

Influence of point defects on the near edge structure of hexagonal boron nitride

Science.gov (United States)

McDougall, Nicholas L.; Partridge, Jim G.; Nicholls, Rebecca J.; Russo, Salvy P.; McCulloch, Dougal G.

2017-10-01

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is a wide-band-gap semiconductor with applications including gate insulation layers in graphene transistors, far-ultraviolet light emitting devices and as hydrogen storage media. Due to its complex microstructure, defects in hBN are challenging to identify. Here, we combine x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy with ab initio theoretical modeling to identify energetically favorable defects. Following annealing of hBN samples in vacuum and oxygen, the B and N K edges exhibited angular-dependent peak modifications consistent with in-plane defects. Theoretical calculations showed that the energetically favorable defects all produce signature features in XANES. Comparing these calculations with experiments, the principle defects were attributed to substitutional oxygen at the nitrogen site, substitutional carbon at the boron site, and hydrogen passivated boron vacancies. Hydrogen passivation of defects was found to significantly affect the formation energies, electronic states, and XANES. In the B K edge, multiple peaks above the major 1 s to π* peak occur as a result of these defects and the hydrogen passivated boron vacancy produces the frequently observed doublet in the 1 s to σ* transition. While the N K edge is less sensitive to defects, features attributable to substitutional C at the B site were observed. This defect was also calculated to have mid-gap states in its band structure that may be responsible for the 4.1-eV ultraviolet emission frequently observed from this material.

Layered sphere-shaped TiO₂ capped with gold nanoparticles on structural defects and their catalysis of formaldehyde oxidation.

Science.gov (United States)

Ma, Chunyan; Pang, Guanglong; He, Guangzhi; Li, Yang; He, Chi; Hao, Zhengping

2016-01-01

We describe here a one-step method for the synthesis of Au/TiO2 nanosphere materials, which were formed by layered deposition of multiple anatase TiO2 nanosheets. The Au nanoparticles were stabilized by structural defects in each TiO2 nanosheet, including crystal steps and edges, thereby fixing the Au-TiO2 perimeter interface. Reactant transfer occurred along the gaps between these TiO2 nanosheet layers and in contact with catalytically active sites at the Au-TiO2 interface. The doped Au induced the formation of oxygen vacancies in the Au-TiO2 interface. Such vacancies are essential for generating active oxygen species (*O(-)) on the TiO2 surface and Ti(3+) ions in bulk TiO2. These ions can then form Ti(3+)-O(-)-Ti(4+) species, which are known to enhance the catalytic activity of formaldehyde (HCHO) oxidation. These studies on structural and oxygen vacancy defects in Au/TiO2 samples provide a theoretical foundation for the catalytic mechanism of HCHO oxidation on oxide-supported Au materials. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Introduction of oxygen vacancies and fluorine into TiO2 nanoparticles by co-milling with PTFE

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Senna, Mamoru; Šepelák, Vladimir; Shi, Jianmin; Bauer, Benjamin; Feldhoff, Armin; Laporte, Vincent; Becker, Klaus-Dieter

2012-01-01

Solid-state processes of introducing oxygen vacancies and transference of fluorine to n-TiO 2 nanoparticles by co-milling with poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) powder were examined by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) of UV, visual, near- and mid-IR regions, thermal analyses (TG-DTA), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The broad absorption peak at around 8800 cm −1 (1140 nm) was attributed to the change in the electronic states, viz. electrons trapped at the oxygen vacancies (Vo) and d–d transitions of titanium ions. Incorporation of fluorine into n-TiO 2 was concentrated at the near surface region and amounted to ca. 40 at% of the total fluorine in PTFE, after co-milling for 3 h, as confirmed by the F1s XPS spectrum. The overall atomic ratio, F/Ti, determined by EDXS was 0.294. By combining these analytical results, a mechanism of the present solid state processes at the boundary between PTFE and n-TiO 2 was proposed. The entire process is triggered by the partial oxidative decomposition of PTFE. This is accompanied by the abstraction of oxygen atoms from the n-TiO 2 lattices. Loss of the oxygen atoms results in the formation of the diverse states of locally distorted coordination units of titania, i.e. TiO 6−n Vo n , located at the near surface region. This leads subsequent partial ligand exchange between F and O, to incorporate fluorine preferentially to the near surface region of n-TiO 2 particles, where local non-crystalline states predominate. - Graphical abstract: Scheme of the reaction processes: (a) pristine mixture, (b) oxygen abstraction from TiO 2 and (c) fluorine migration from PTFE to TiO 2 . Highlights: Transfer of fluorine from PTFE to n-TiO 2 in a dry solid state process was confirmed. ► 40% of F in PTFE was incorporated to the near surface region of n-TiO 2 nanoparticles. ► The transfer process is

Photocatalytic Conversion of Nitrogen to Ammonia with Water on Surface Oxygen Vacancies of Titanium Dioxide.

Science.gov (United States)

Hirakawa, Hiroaki; Hashimoto, Masaki; Shiraishi, Yasuhiro; Hirai, Takayuki

2017-08-09

Ammonia (NH 3 ) is an essential chemical in modern society. It is currently manufactured by the Haber-Bosch process using H 2 and N 2 under extremely high-pressure (>200 bar) and high-temperature (>673 K) conditions. Photocatalytic NH 3 production from water and N 2 at atmospheric pressure and room temperature is ideal. Several semiconductor photocatalysts have been proposed, but all suffer from low efficiency. Here we report that a commercially available TiO 2 with a large number of surface oxygen vacancies, when photoirradiated by UV light in pure water with N 2 , successfully produces NH 3 . The active sites for N 2 reduction are the Ti 3+ species on the oxygen vacancies. These species act as adsorption sites for N 2 and trapping sites for the photoformed conduction band electrons. These properties therefore promote efficient reduction of N 2 to NH 3 . The solar-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency is 0.02%, which is the highest efficiency among the early reported photocatalytic systems. This noble-metal-free TiO 2 system therefore shows a potential as a new artificial photosynthesis for green NH 3 production.

A study on native defects and magnetic properties in undoped rutile TiO2 using LDA and LDA+UO p+UTi d methods

Science.gov (United States)

Shi, Li-Bin; Wang, Yong Ping

2016-05-01

The native defects and magnetic properties in undoped rutile TiO2 are studied using local density approximation (LDA) and LDA adding Hubbard parameters (U) schemes. The band gap is adjusted to experimental value of 3.0 eV by combination of UTi d=4.2 eV and UO p=4.8 eV. This LDA+U methodology overcomes the band-gap problem and renders the approach more predictive. The formation energies of oxygen vacancy (VO), oxygen interstitial (Oi), titanium vacancy (VTi), titanium interstitial (Tii), oxygen anti-sites (OTi), and titanium anti-sites (TiO) are investigated by the LDA and LDA+U methods. In addition, some ground state configurations can be obtained by optimization of total spin. It is found that native defects can induce spin polarization and produce magnetic moment.

Modeling and experimental methods to predict oxygen distribution in bone defects following cell transplantation.

Science.gov (United States)

Heylman, Christopher M; Santoso, Sharon; Krebs, Melissa D; Saidel, Gerald M; Alsberg, Eben; Muschler, George F

2014-04-01

We have developed a mathematical model that allows simulation of oxygen distribution in a bone defect as a tool to explore the likely effects of local changes in cell concentration, defect size or geometry, local oxygen delivery with oxygen-generating biomaterials (OGBs), and changes in the rate of oxygen consumption by cells within a defect. Experimental data for the oxygen release rate from an OGB and the oxygen consumption rate of a transplanted cell population are incorporated into the model. With these data, model simulations allow prediction of spatiotemporal oxygen concentration within a given defect and the sensitivity of oxygen tension to changes in critical variables. This information may help to minimize the number of experiments in animal models that determine the optimal combinations of cells, scaffolds, and OGBs in the design of current and future bone regeneration strategies. Bone marrow-derived nucleated cell data suggest that oxygen consumption is dependent on oxygen concentration. OGB oxygen release is shown to be a time-dependent function that must be measured for accurate simulation. Simulations quantify the dependency of oxygen gradients in an avascular defect on cell concentration, cell oxygen consumption rate, OGB oxygen generation rate, and OGB geometry.

Impurity decoration of native vacancies in Ga and N sublattices of gallium nitride

OpenAIRE

Hautakangas, Sami

2005-01-01

The effects of impurity atoms as well as various growth methods to the formation of vacancy type defects in gallium nitride (GaN) have been studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy. It is shown that vacancy defects are formed in Ga or N sublattices depending on the doping of the material. Vacancies are decorated with impurity atoms leading to the compensation of the free carriers of the samples. In addition, the vacancy clusters are found to be present in significant concentrations in n-...

Defect structure, nonstoichiometry, and phase stability of Ca-doped YCrO3

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carini, G.F. II; Anderson, H.U.; Nasrallah, M.M.; Sparlin, D.M.

1991-01-01

The dependence of the defect structure of Ca-doped YCrO 3 on oxygen activity and temperature was investigated by high temperature thermogravimetric measurements. Defect models developed from electrical conductivity data obtained in a previous study were used to interpret the thermogravimetric data. A correlation was found between the electrical conductivity and the thermogravimetric data which suggested that these data were concomitantly dependent on the acceptor dopant and oxygen vacancy dependence of the thermodynamic parameters. Kroeger-Vink type diagrams showing the regions of stability with respect to oxygen activity and temperature were constructed. The TGA data show that Ca-doped YCrO 3 is even more stable toward reduction than doped LaCrO 3

The dynamics of ultraviolet-induced oxygen vacancy at the surface of insulating SrTiO_3(0 0 1)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Suwanwong, S.; Eknapakul, T.; Rattanachai, Y.; Masingboon, C.; Rattanasuporn, S.; Phatthanakun, R.; Nakajima, H.; King, P.D.C.; Hodak, S.K.; Meevasana, W.

2015-01-01

Highlights: • The dynamics of UV-induced oxygen vacancy is studied from the change of surface resistance. • The formation of 2DEG at the insulating surface of SrTiO_3 is confirmed by ARPES. • The UV-induced change in resistance responds differently to oxygen/gas exposure. • The behavior of resistance recovery suggests an alternative method of low-pressure sensing. - Abstract: The effect of ultra-violet (UV) irradiation on the electronic structure and the surface resistance of an insulating SrTiO_3(0 0 1) crystal is studied in this work. Upon UV irradiation, we show that the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) emerges at the insulating SrTiO_3 surface and there is a pronounced change in the surface resistance. By combining the observations of the change in valance band and the resistance change under different environments of gas pressure and gas species, we find that UV-induced oxygen vacancies at the surface plays a major role in the resistance change. The dynamic of the resistance change at different oxygen pressures also suggests an alternative method of low-pressure sensing.

Evidence for vacancy migration in stage III for copper

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Antesberger, G.; Sonnenberg, K.; Wienhold, P.; Coltman, R.R.; Klabunde, C.E.; Williams, J.M.

1975-01-01

Specimens doped with interstitial clusters and single vacancies have been annealed isochronally through the temperature range of stage III. Combining this annealing with a test irradiation after each annealing step reactions of mobile single test interstitials with the doping defects were studied. These reactions provide information about the variation of the doping defect structure during annealing. The experimental results suggest that vacancy clusters are formed in stage III

Molecular dynamics study of vacancy-like defects in a model glass : static behaviour

Science.gov (United States)

Delaye, J. M.; Limoge, Y.

1993-10-01

The possibility of defining vacancy-like defects in a Lennard-Jones glass is searched for in a systematic manner. Considering different relaxation levels of the same system, as well as different external pressures, we use a Molecular Dynamics simulation method, to study at constant volume or external pressure, the relaxation of a “piece” of glass, after the sudden removal of an atom. Three typical kinds of behaviour can be observed: the persistence of the empty volume left by the missing atom, its migration by clearly identifiable atomic jumps and the dissipation “on the spot”. A careful analysis of the probabilities of these three kinds of behaviour shows that a meaningful definition of vacancy-like defects can be given in a Lennard-Jones glass. Dans cet article, nous nous penchons de façon systématique sur la possibilité de définir des défauts de type lacunaire dans un verre de Lennard-Jones, à différents niveaux de relaxation et de pression, par une méthode de simulation numérique en dynamique moléculaire à volume ou à pression constants. Le défaut est créé en supprimant un atome et en suivant la réponse du système. Nous observons trois comportements typiques : la persistance sur place du “trou” laissé par l'atome supprimé, sa migration par des sauts atomiques clairement identifiés et enfin sa dissipation sur place. Une analyse détaillée de ces trois comportements montre qu'il est possible dans un verre de Lennard-Jones de définir des défauts de type lacunaire.

Ab-initio calculation for cation vacancy formation energy in anti-fluorite structure

Science.gov (United States)

Saleel, V. P. Saleel Ahammad; Chitra, D.; Veluraja, K.; Eithiraj, R. D.

2018-04-01

Lithium oxide (Li2O) has been suggested as a suitable breeder blanket material for fusion reactors. Li+ vacancies are created by neutron irradiation, forming bulk defect complex whose extra character is experimentally unclear. We present a theoretical study of Li2O using density functional theory (DFT) with a plane-wave basis set. The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and local-density approximation (LDA) were used for exchange and correlation. Here we address the total energy for defect free, cation defect, cation vacancy and vacancy formation energy in Li2O crystal in anti-fluorite structure.

Interplay of dopants and defects in making Cu doped TiO{sub 2} nanoparticle a ferromagnetic semiconductor

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Choudhury, Biswajit, E-mail: biswa.tezu@gmail.com [Department of Physics, Tezpur University, Napaam 784028, Assam (India); Choudhury, Amarjyoti [Department of Physics, Tezpur University, Napaam 784028, Assam (India); Borah, Debajit [Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati 781039, Assam (India)

2015-10-15

Here we have studied the role of oxygen defects and Cu dopants on ferromagnetism in Cu doped TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles with nominal Cu concentration of 2%, 4% and 6 mol%. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra analysis reveals the presence of Cu{sup 2+} in the distorted octahedral coordination of TiO{sub 2}. Cu d-states undergo strong p-d coupling with the valence band O 2p state of TiO{sub 2} resulting the extended absorption hump in the visible region. Photoluminescence results reveal the presence of oxygen defect related emission peaks in Cu doped TiO{sub 2}. Room temperature ferromagnetism is observed in all the Cu doped TiO{sub 2} nanoparticles. Saturation magnetization is the highest at 4 mol% and then there is a decrease in magnetization at 6 mol%. Ferromagnetism completely disappears on calcinations of 4% Cu doped TiO{sub 2} in air at 450 °C for 8 h. It is speculated that both oxygen vacancies and Cu d-states are involved in the room temperature ferromagnetism. Spin polarization occurs by the formation of bound magnetic polaron between electrons in Cu{sup 2+}d-states and the unpaired spins in oxygen vacancies. Presence of Cu{sup 2+}-Cu{sup 2+}d-d exchange interaction and Cu{sup 2+}-O{sup 2−}-Cu{sup 2+} antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions might have resulted in the reduction in magnetization at 6 mol% Cu. - Graphical abstract: Ferromagnetism in Cu doped TiO{sub 2} requires presence of both Cu dopant and oxygen vacancies. - Highlights: • Cu doped TiO{sub 2} nanoparticle displays room temperature ferromagnetism. • Ferromagnetism requires presence of both Cu and oxygen vacancies. • Antiferromagnetic interaction persists at high Cu dopant concentration. • Paramagnetism appears on air annealing of the doped system for longer period.

Passivation of interstitial and vacancy mediated trap-states for efficient and stable triple-cation perovskite solar cells

Science.gov (United States)

Mahmud, Md Arafat; Elumalai, Naveen Kumar; Upama, Mushfika Baishakhi; Wang, Dian; Gonçales, Vinicius R.; Wright, Matthew; Xu, Cheng; Haque, Faiazul; Uddin, Ashraf

2018-04-01

The current work reports the concurrent passivation of interstitial and oxygen vacancy mediated defect states in low temperature processed ZnO electron transport layer (ETL) via Ultraviolet-Ozone (UVO) treatment for fabricating highly efficient (maximum efficiency: 16.70%), triple cation based MA0.57FA0.38Rb0.05PbI3 (MA: methyl ammonium, FA: formamidinium, Rb: rubidium) perovskite solar cell (PSC). Under UV exposure, ozone decomposes to free atomic oxygen and intercalates into the interstitial and oxygen vacancy induced defect sites in the ZnO lattice matrix, which contributes to suppressed trap-assisted recombination phenomena in perovskite device. UVO treatment also reduces the content of functional hydroxyl group on ZnO surface, that increases the inter-particle connectivity and grain size of perovskite film on UVO treated ZnO ETL. Owing to this, the perovskite film atop UVO treated ZnO film exhibits reduced micro-strain and dislocation density values, which contribute to the enhanced photovoltaic performance of PSC with modified ZnO ETL. The modified PSCs exhibit higher recombination resistance (RRec) ∼40% compared to pristine ZnO ETL based control devices. Adding to the merit, the UVO treated ZnO PSC also demonstrates superior device stability, retaining about 88% of its initial PCE in the course of a month-long, systematic degradation study.

Indium vacancy induced d0 ferromagnetism in Li-doped In2O3 nanoparticles

Science.gov (United States)

Cao, Haiming; Xing, Pengfei; Zhou, Wei; Yao, Dongsheng; Wu, Ping

2018-04-01

Li-doped In2O3 nanoparticles with room temperature d0 ferromagnetism were prepared by a sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and photoluminescence were carried out to investigate the effects of Li incorporation on the lattice defects. As the content of Li increases, non-monotonic changes in shifts of XRD peak (2 2 2) and the intensity ratios of indium vacancies related photoluminescence peak (PII) with respect to oxygen vacancies related peak (PI) are observed. Results show that at low doping level (≤2 at.%) Li prefers to occupy In sites, while with further doping the interstitial sites are more favorable for Li. Combined with the consistent non-monotonic change in saturation magnetization, we think that indium vacancies resulting from Li-doping play an important role in inducing d0 ferromagnetism in our Li-doped In2O3 nanoparticles, and the FM coupling is mainly mediated by the LiIn-ONN-VIn-ONN-LiIn chains.

Defect engineering of mesoporous nickel ferrite and its application for highly enhanced water oxidation catalysis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yue, Qiudi; Liu, Cunming; Wan, Yangyang; Wu, Xiaojun; Zhang, Xiaoyi; Du, Pingwu

2018-02-01

Spinel nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) emerges as a promising low-cost catalyst for water splitting but it usually shows low catalytic activity because of its limited number of active sites and poor conductivity. For the first time, herein we have successfully overcome its weaknesses using defect engineering approach by creating oxygen vacancies in NiFe2O4. The existence of oxygen vacancy not only shifts up the d-band center, strengthens the adsorption of H2O, and thus provides more active catalytic sites, but also tunes the electron configuration and creates massive number of defective donor states in the band gap to facilitate charge transfer processes. The optimal defective catalyst showed significantly enhanced catalytic OER performance with an OER overpotential as low as 0.35 V at 10 mA cm-2 and a Tafel slope of only ~40 mV dec-1. Moreover, the impressive specific mass and area current density of 17.5 A g-1 and 0.106 A m-2 at 1.58 V vs. RHE have been achieved, which are ~23 and ~36 times higher than that of defect-free counterpart, respectively.

Defects in Amorphous Semiconductors: The Case of Amorphous Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide

Science.gov (United States)

de Jamblinne de Meux, A.; Pourtois, G.; Genoe, J.; Heremans, P.

2018-05-01

Based on a rational classification of defects in amorphous materials, we propose a simplified model to describe intrinsic defects and hydrogen impurities in amorphous indium gallium zinc oxide (a -IGZO). The proposed approach consists of organizing defects into two categories: point defects, generating structural anomalies such as metal—metal or oxygen—oxygen bonds, and defects emerging from changes in the material stoichiometry, such as vacancies and interstitial atoms. Based on first-principles simulations, it is argued that the defects originating from the second group always act as perfect donors or perfect acceptors. This classification simplifies and rationalizes the nature of defects in amorphous phases. In a -IGZO, the most important point defects are metal—metal bonds (or small metal clusters) and peroxides (O - O single bonds). Electrons are captured by metal—metal bonds and released by the formation of peroxides. The presence of hydrogen can lead to two additional types of defects: metal-hydrogen defects, acting as acceptors, and oxygen-hydrogen defects, acting as donors. The impact of these defects is linked to different instabilities observed in a -IGZO. Specifically, the diffusion of hydrogen and oxygen is connected to positive- and negative-bias stresses, while negative-bias illumination stress originates from the formation of peroxides.

Electric field dependent paramagnetic defect creation in single step implanted Simox films

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Leray, J.L.; Margail, J.

1991-01-01

X irradiation induced oxygen-vacancy defect creation has been studied in SIMOX produced by single step implantation and annealing. It is shown that SIMOX is substantially more radiation sensitive (for these defects) than thermal or bulk oxide. Irradiation in the presence of an electric field 0.5 -1 MV cm -1 is found to enhance the rate of defect creation by ≥ 2 times. Further enhanced defect creation is observed in SIMOX samples whose substrate has been chemically thinned prior to irradiation. This enhancement is attributed to modification of the network induced by hydrogen introduced during the thinning process

The role of healed N-vacancy defective BC2N sheet and nanotube by NO molecule in oxidation of NO and CO gas molecules

Science.gov (United States)

Nematollahi, Parisa; Esrafili, Mehdi D.; Neyts, Erik C.

2018-06-01

In this study, the healing of N-vacancy boron carbonitride nanosheet (NV-BC2NNS) and nanotube (NV-BC2NNT) by NO molecule is studied by means of density functional theory calculations. Two different N-vacancies are considered in each of these structures in which the vacancy site is surrounded by either three B-atoms (NB) or by two B- and one C-atom (NBC). By means of the healed BC2NNS and BC2NNT as a support, the removal of two toxic gas molecules (NO and CO) are applicable. It should be noted that the obtained energy barriers of both healing and oxidizing processes are significantly lower than those of graphene, carbon nanotubes or boron nitride nanostructures. Also, at the end of the oxidation process, the pure BC2NNS or BC2NNT is obtained without any additional defects. Therefore, by using this method, we can considerably purify the defective BC2NNS/BC2NNT. Moreover, according to the thermochemistry calculations we can further confirm that the healing process of the NV-BC2NNS and NV-BC2NNT by NO are feasible at room temperature. So, we can claim that this study could be very helpful in both purifying the defective BC2NNS/BC2NNT while in the same effort removing toxic NO and CO gases.

Enhanced photoluminescence from single nitrogen-vacancy defects in nanodiamonds coated with phenol-ionic complexes.

Science.gov (United States)

Bray, Kerem; Previdi, Rodolfo; Gibson, Brant C; Shimoni, Olga; Aharonovich, Igor

2015-03-21

Fluorescent nanodiamonds are attracting major attention in the field of bio-sensing and bio-labeling. In this work we demonstrate a robust approach to achieve an encapsulation of individual nanodiamonds with phenol-ionic complexes that enhance the photoluminescence from single nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers. We show that single NV centres in the coated nanodiamonds also exhibit shorter lifetimes, opening another channel for high resolution sensing. We propose that the nanodiamond encapsulation reduces the non-radiative decay pathways of the NV color centers. Our results provide a versatile and assessable way to enhance photoluminescence from nanodiamond defects that can be used in a variety of sensing and imaging applications.

Irradiation-induced defects in ZnO studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tuomisto, F.; Saarinen, K.; Look, D.C.

2004-01-01

We have used positron annihilation spectroscopy to study the point defects induced by 2 MeV electron irradiation (fluence 6 x 10 17 cm -2 ) in single crystal n-type ZnO samples. The positron lifetime measurements have shown that the zinc vacancies in their doubly negative charge state, which act as dominant compensating centers in the as-grown material, are produced in the irradiation and their contribution to the electrical compensation is important. The lifetime measurements reveal also the presence of competing positron traps with low binding energy and lifetime close to that of the bulk lattice. The analysis of the Doppler broadening of the 511 keV annihilation line indicates that these defects can be identified as neutral oxygen vacancies. (copyright 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Defect ordering in aliovalently doped cubic zirconia from first principles

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bogicevic, A.; Wolverton, C.; Crosbie, G.M.; Stechel, E.B.

2001-01-01

Defect ordering in aliovalently doped cubic-stabilized zirconia is studied using gradient corrected density-functional calculations. Intra- and intersublattice ordering interactions are investigated for both cation (Zr and dopant ions) and anion (oxygen ions and vacancies) species. For yttria-stabilized zirconia, the crystal structure of the experimentally identified, ordered compound δ-Zr 3 Y 4 O 12 is established, and we predict metastable zirconia-rich ordered phases. Anion vacancies repel each other at short separations, but show an energetic tendency to align as third-nearest neighbors along directions. Calculations with divalent (Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) and trivalent (Y, Sc, B, Al, Ga, In) oxides show that anion vacancies prefer to be close to the smaller of the cations (Zr or dopant ion). When the dopant cation is close in size to Zr, the vacancies show no particular preference, and are thus less prone to be bound preferentially to any particular cation type when the vacancies traverse such oxides. This ordering tendency offers insight into the observed high conductivity of Y 2 O 3 - and Sc 2 O 3 -stabilized zirconia, as well as recent results using, e.g., lanthanide oxides. The calculations point to In 2 O 3 as a particularly promising stabilizer for high ionic conductivity. Thus we are able to directly link (thermodynamic) defect ordering to (kinetic) ionic conductivity in cubic-stabilized zirconia using first-principles atomistic calculations

Oxygen-Vacancy Abundant Ultrafine Co3O4/Graphene Composites for High-Rate Supercapacitor Electrodes.

Science.gov (United States)

Yang, Shuhua; Liu, Yuanyue; Hao, Yufeng; Yang, Xiaopeng; Goddard, William A; Zhang, Xiao Li; Cao, Bingqiang

2018-04-01

The metal oxides/graphene composites are one of the most promising supercapacitors (SCs) electrode materials. However, rational synthesis of such electrode materials with controllable conductivity and electrochemical activity is the topical challenge for high-performance SCs. Here, the Co 3 O 4 /graphene composite is taken as a typical example and develops a novel/universal one-step laser irradiation method that overcomes all these challenges and obtains the oxygen-vacancy abundant ultrafine Co 3 O 4 nanoparticles/graphene (UCNG) composites with high SCs performance. First-principles calculations show that the surface oxygen vacancies can facilitate the electrochemical charge transfer by creating midgap electronic states. The specific capacitance of the UCNG electrode reaches 978.1 F g -1 (135.8 mA h g -1 ) at the current densities of 1 A g -1 and retains a high capacitance retention of 916.5 F g -1 (127.3 mA h g -1 ) even at current density up to 10 A g -1 , showing remarkable rate capability (more than 93.7% capacitance retention). Additionally, 99.3% of the initial capacitance is maintained after consecutive 20 000 cycles, demonstrating enhanced cycling stability. Moreover, this proposed laser-assisted growth strategy is demonstrated to be universal for other metal oxide/graphene composites with tuned electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity.

Efficient Visible Light Nitrogen Fixation with BiOBr Nanosheets of Oxygen Vacancies on the Exposed {001} Facets.

Science.gov (United States)

Li, Hao; Shang, Jian; Ai, Zhihui; Zhang, Lizhi

2015-05-20

Even though the well-established Haber-Bosch process has been the major artificial way to "fertilize" the earth, its energy-intensive nature has been motivating people to learn from nitrogenase, which can fix atmospheric N2 to NH3 in vivo under mild conditions with its precisely arranged proteins. Here we demonstrate that efficient fixation of N2 to NH3 can proceed under room temperature and atmospheric pressure in water using visible light illuminated BiOBr nanosheets of oxygen vacancies in the absence of any organic scavengers and precious-metal cocatalysts. The designed catalytic oxygen vacancies of BiOBr nanosheets on the exposed {001} facets, with the availability of localized electrons for π-back-donation, have the ability to activate the adsorbed N2, which can thus be efficiently reduced to NH3 by the interfacial electrons transferred from the excited BiOBr nanosheets. This study might open up a new vista to fix atmospheric N2 to NH3 through the less energy-demanding photochemical process.

Probing vacancy-type free-volume defects in Li2B4O7 single crystal by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Shpotyuk, O.; Adamiv, V.; Teslyuk, I.; Ingram, A.; Demchenko, P.

2018-01-01

Vacancy-type free-volume defects in lithium tetraborate Li2B4O7 single crystal, grown by the Czochralski technique, are probed with positron annihilation spectroscopy in the lifetime measuring mode. The experimental positron lifetime spectrum is reconstructed within the three-component fitting, involving channels of positron and positronium Ps trapping, as well as within the two-component fitting with a positronium-compensating source input. Structural configurations of the most efficient positron traps are considered using the crystallographic specificity of lithium tetraborate with the main accent on cation-type vacancies. Possible channels of positron trapping are visualized using the electronic structure calculations with density functional theory at the basis of structural parameters proper to Li2B4O7. Spatially-extended positron-trapping complexes involving singly-ionized lithium vacancies, with character lifetime close to 0.32 ns, are responsible for positron trapping in the nominally undoped lithium tetraborate Li2B4O7 crystal.

Decrease of oxygen vacancy by Zn-doped for improving solar-blind photoelectric performance in β-Ga2O3 thin films

Science.gov (United States)

Guo, Daoyou; Qin, Xinyuan; Lv, Ming; Shi, Haoze; Su, Yuanli; Yao, Guosheng; Wang, Shunli; Li, Chaorong; Li, Peigang; Tang, Weihua

2017-11-01

Highly (201) oriented Zn-doped β-Ga2O3 thin films with different dopant concentrations were grown on (0001) sapphire substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. With the increase of Zn dopant concentration, the crystal lattice expands, the energy band gap shrinks, and the oxygen vacancy concentration decreases. Both the metal semiconductor metal (MSM) structure photodetectors based on the pure and Zn-doped β-Ga2O3 thin films exhibit solar blind UV photoelectric property. Compared to the pure β-Ga2O3 photodetector, the Zn-doped one exhibits a lower dark current, a higher photo/dark current ratio, a faster photoresponse speed, which can be attributed to the decreases of oxygen vacancy concentration.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

An investigation of vacancy-like defects in differently doped and treated Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 ceramics

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Puff, W.; Balogh, A.G.; Balke, N.; Gottschalk, S.

2006-01-01

Full text: Important macroscopic properties of lead zirconate-titanate (PZT) ceramics are strongly affected by defect structure and diffusivity. In this study we discuss vacancy like defects in ferroelectric Pb(Zr x Ti 1-x )O 3 ceramics doped either with Fe or Ni and Sb. The investigations were performed with positron lifetime and Doppler broadening spectroscopy. The undoped samples show one defect lifetime component with a value of about 250 and 270 ps in dependence of the sintering atmosphere and sintering temperature. After doping this defect lifetime increases to about 290 to 300 ps. The Fe doped samples, Fe concentration from 0.1 to 1.0 mol-%, were measured also at low temperature to study the charge state of the observed defects. To study the aging behaviour of the Ni and Sb doped samples measurements were performed either after dc loading for 24 hours or ac loading up to 3 x 10 7 cycles. (author)

Vacancy formation in MoO3: hybrid density functional theory and photoemission experiments

KAUST Repository

Salawu, Omotayo Akande

2016-09-29

Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) is an important material that is being considered for numerous technological applications, including catalysis and electrochromism. In the present study, we apply hybrid density functional theory to investigate O and Mo vacancies in the orthorhombic phase. We determine the vacancy formation energies of different defect sites as functions of the electron chemical potential, addressing different charge states. In addition, we investigate the consequences of defects for the material properties. Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy is employed to study the valence band of stoichiometric and O defective MoO3. We show that O vacancies result in occupied in-gap states.

Vacancy formation in MoO3: hybrid density functional theory and photoemission experiments

KAUST Repository

Salawu, Omotayo Akande; Chroneos, Alexander; Vasilopoulou, Maria; Kennou, Stella; Schwingenschlö gl, Udo

2016-01-01

Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) is an important material that is being considered for numerous technological applications, including catalysis and electrochromism. In the present study, we apply hybrid density functional theory to investigate O and Mo vacancies in the orthorhombic phase. We determine the vacancy formation energies of different defect sites as functions of the electron chemical potential, addressing different charge states. In addition, we investigate the consequences of defects for the material properties. Ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy is employed to study the valence band of stoichiometric and O defective MoO3. We show that O vacancies result in occupied in-gap states.

The dynamics of ultraviolet-induced oxygen vacancy at the surface of insulating SrTiO{sub 3}(0 0 1)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Suwanwong, S. [School of Physics, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); Program in General Science Teaching, Faculty of Education, Vongchavalitkul University, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); Eknapakul, T. [School of Physics, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); Rattanachai, Y. [Department of Applied Physics, Faculty of Sciences and Liberal Arts, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); Masingboon, C. [School of Physics, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon 47000 (Thailand); Rattanasuporn, S.; Phatthanakun, R.; Nakajima, H. [Synchrotron Light Research Institute, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); King, P.D.C. [SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS (United Kingdom); Hodak, S.K. [Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330 (Thailand); Meevasana, W., E-mail: worawat@g.sut.ac.th [School of Physics, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); NANOTEC-SUT Center of Excellence on Advanced Functional Nanomaterials, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000 (Thailand); Thailand Center of Excellence in Physics, CHE, Bangkok 10400 (Thailand)

2015-11-15

Highlights: • The dynamics of UV-induced oxygen vacancy is studied from the change of surface resistance. • The formation of 2DEG at the insulating surface of SrTiO{sub 3} is confirmed by ARPES. • The UV-induced change in resistance responds differently to oxygen/gas exposure. • The behavior of resistance recovery suggests an alternative method of low-pressure sensing. - Abstract: The effect of ultra-violet (UV) irradiation on the electronic structure and the surface resistance of an insulating SrTiO{sub 3}(0 0 1) crystal is studied in this work. Upon UV irradiation, we show that the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) emerges at the insulating SrTiO{sub 3} surface and there is a pronounced change in the surface resistance. By combining the observations of the change in valance band and the resistance change under different environments of gas pressure and gas species, we find that UV-induced oxygen vacancies at the surface plays a major role in the resistance change. The dynamic of the resistance change at different oxygen pressures also suggests an alternative method of low-pressure sensing.

Defect characterization and magnetic properties in un-doped ZnO thin film annealed in a strong magnetic field

Science.gov (United States)

Ning, Shuai; Zhan, Peng; Wang, Wei-Peng; Li, Zheng-Cao; Zhang, Zheng-Jun

2014-12-01

Highly c-axis oriented un-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films, each with a thickness of ~ 100 nm, are deposited on Si (001) substrates by pulsed electron beam deposition at a temperature of ~ 320 °C, followed by annealing at 650 °C in argon in a strong magnetic field. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), positron annihilation analysis (PAS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) characterizations suggest that the major defects generated in these ZnO films are oxygen vacancies. Photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic property measurements indicate that the room-temperature ferromagnetism in the un-doped ZnO film originates from the singly ionized oxygen vacancies whose number depends on the strength of the magnetic field applied in the thermal annealing process. The effects of the magnetic field on the defect generation in the ZnO films are also discussed.

Room temperature ferromagnetism and gas sensing in ZnOnanostructures: Influence of intrinsic defects and Mn, Co, Cu doping

CSIR Research Space (South Africa)

Mhlongo, Gugu, H

2016-12-01

Full Text Available analysis based on photoluminescence (PL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) indicated that co-existing oxygen vacancies (V(subO)) and zinc interstitials (Zni) defects are responsible for the observed ferromagnetism in undoped and transition metal (TM...

Defect Tolerance to Intolerance in the Vacancy-Ordered Double Perovskite Semiconductors Cs ₂ SnI ₆ and Cs ₂ TeI ₆

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maughan, Annalise E.; Ganose, Alex M.; Bordelon, Mitchell M.; Miller, Elisa M.; Scanlon, David O.; Neilson, James R.

2016-07-13

Vacancy-ordered double perovskites of the general formula, A2BX6, are a family of perovskite derivatives composed of a face-centered lattice of nearly isolated [BX6] units with A-site cations occupying the cuboctahedral voids. Despite the presence of isolated octahedral units, the close-packed iodide lattice provides significant electronic dispersion, such that Cs2SnI6 has recently been explored for applications in photovoltaic devices. To elucidate the structure-property relationships of these materials, we have synthesized the solid solution Cs2Sn1-xTexI6. However, even though tellurium substitution increases electronic dispersion via closer I-I contact distances, the substitution experimentally yields insulating behavior from a significant decrease in carrier concentration and mobility. Density functional calculations of native defects in Cs2SnI6 reveal that iodine vacancies exhibit a low enthalpy of formation and the defect energy level is a shallow donor to the conduction band, rendering the material tolerant to these defect states. The increased covalency of Te-I bonding renders the formation of iodine vacancy states unfavorable, and is responsible for the reduction in conductivity upon Te substitution. Additionally, Cs2TeI6 is intolerant to the formation of these defects, as the defect level occurs deep within the band gap and thus localizes potential mobile charge carriers. In these vacancy-ordered double perovskites, the close-packed lattice of iodine provides significant electronic dispersion, while the interaction of the B- and X-site ions dictates the properties as they pertain to electronic structure and defect tolerance. This simplified perspective -- based on extensive experimental and theoretical analysis -- provides a platform from which to understand structure-property relationships in functional perovskite halides.

Crystal defects and related stress in Y2O3 thin films: Origin, modeling, and consequence on the stability of the C-type structure

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Lacroix, Bertrand; Paumier, Fabien; Gaboriaud, Rolly J.

2011-01-01

We study the impact that the crystal defects have on the C-type structure of rare earth sesquioxide thin films grown by ion-beam sputtering, through the example of Y 2 O 3 . By monitoring the energy of the argon beam used in the sputter deposition process (between 600 and 1200 eV), we show that it is possible to control the microstructure (defects concentration, stress state and phase) in the oxide layer. Two main types of defects, ascribed to the 'atomic peening effect', are evidenced by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, and nuclear reaction analysis experiments: anti-Frenkel pairs, leading to a disorder on the oxygen-vacancy network, and oxygen-vacancy dislocations loops, to accommodate the strong nonstoichiometry. From a macroscopic measurement of the residual stresses in the as-deposited and the annealed layers, through x-ray diffraction and the sin 2 Ψ method, we have modeled the related stress state using an enhanced triaxial stress model. In the as-grown films, we evidence the coexistence of a biaxial and a hydrostatic stress, due to inclusions of atomic size defects. Quantitative information of the concentration and the nature of each type of defect (size effect) have also been determined, in good agreement with experiments. Interestingly, in the most energetic growth conditions corresponding to the highest degree of disorder on the oxygen-vacancy network and to the highest stress field in the film, we demonstrate that it is possible to stabilize an unexpected and metastable non equilibrium fluorite-like phase (X-type).

Influence of oxygen impurity atoms on defect clusters and radiation hardening in neutron-irradiated vanadium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Bajaj, R.; Wechsler, M.S.

1975-01-01

Single crystal TEM samples and polycrystalline tensile samples of vanadium containing 60-640 wt ppm oxygen were irradiated at about 100 0 C to about 1.3 x 10 19 neutrons/cm 2 (E greater than 1 MeV) and post-irradiation annealed up to 800 0 C. The defect cluster density increased and the average size decreased with increasing oxygen concentration. Higher oxygen concentrations caused the radiation hardening and radiation-anneal hardening to increase. The observations are consistent with the nucleation of defect clusters by small oxygen or oxygen-point defect complexes and the trapping of oxygen at defect clusters upon post-irradiation annealing

Helium interaction with vacancy-type defects created in silicon carbide single crystal

Science.gov (United States)

Linez, F.; Gilabert, E.; Debelle, A.; Desgardin, P.; Barthe, M.-F.

2013-05-01

Generation of He bubbles or cavities in silicon carbide is an important issue for the use of this material in nuclear and electronic applications. To understand the mechanisms prior to the growth of these structures, an atomic-scale study has been conducted. 6H-SiC single crystals have been implanted with 50 keV-He ions at 2 × 1014 and 1015 cm-2 and successively annealed at various temperatures from 150 to 1400 °C. After each annealing, the defect distributions in the samples have been probed by positron annihilation spectroscopy. Four main evolution stages have been evidenced for the two investigated implantation fluences: at (1) 400 °C for both fluences, (2) at 850 °C for the low fluence and 950 °C for the high one, (3) at 950 °C for the low fluence and 1050 °C for the high one and (4) at 1300 °C for both fluences. The perfect correlation between the positron annihilation spectroscopy and the thermodesorption measurements has highlighted the He involvement in the first two stages corresponding respectively to its trapping by irradiation-induced divacancies and the detrapping from various vacancy-type defects generated by agglomeration processes.

Helium interaction with vacancy-type defects created in silicon carbide single crystal

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Linez, F., E-mail: florence.linez@aalto.fi [CEMHTI CNRS, 3A rue de la Férollerie, 45071 Orléans (France); Gilabert, E. [CENBG, U.R.A. 451 CNRS, Université de Bordeaux I, BP120, Le Haut Vigneau, 33175 Gradignan Cedex (France); Debelle, A. [CSNSM, Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, 91405 Orsay Campus (France); Desgardin, P.; Barthe, M.-F. [CEMHTI CNRS, 3A rue de la Férollerie, 45071 Orléans (France)

2013-05-15

Generation of He bubbles or cavities in silicon carbide is an important issue for the use of this material in nuclear and electronic applications. To understand the mechanisms prior to the growth of these structures, an atomic-scale study has been conducted. 6H–SiC single crystals have been implanted with 50 keV-He ions at 2 × 10{sup 14} and 10{sup 15} cm{sup −2} and successively annealed at various temperatures from 150 to 1400 °C. After each annealing, the defect distributions in the samples have been probed by positron annihilation spectroscopy. Four main evolution stages have been evidenced for the two investigated implantation fluences: at (1) 400 °C for both fluences, (2) at 850 °C for the low fluence and 950 °C for the high one, (3) at 950 °C for the low fluence and 1050 °C for the high one and (4) at 1300 °C for both fluences. The perfect correlation between the positron annihilation spectroscopy and the thermodesorption measurements has highlighted the He involvement in the first two stages corresponding respectively to its trapping by irradiation-induced divacancies and the detrapping from various vacancy-type defects generated by agglomeration processes.

Acceptor Type Vacancy Complexes In As-Grown ZnO

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Zubiaga, A.; Tuomisto, F.; Zuniga-Perez, J.

2010-01-01

One of the many technological areas that ZnO is interesting for is the construction of opto-electronic devices working in the blue-UV range as its large band gap (∼3.4 eV at 10 K) makes them suitable for that purpose. As-grown ZnO shows generally n-type conductivity partially due to the large concentration of unintentional shallow donors, like H, but impurities can also form complexes with acceptor type defects (Zn vacancy) leading to the creation of compensating defects. Recently, Li Zn and Na Zn acceptors have been measured and H could form similar type of defects. Doppler Broadening Positron Annihilation spectroscopy experimental results on the observation of Zn related vacancy complexes in ZnO thin films, as-grown, O implanted and Al doped will be presented. Results show that as-grown ZnO film show small Zn vacancy related complexed that could be related to presence of H as a unintentional doping element.

Acceptor Type Vacancy Complexes In As-Grown ZnO

Science.gov (United States)

Zubiaga, A.; Tuomisto, F.; Zuñiga-Pérez, J.

2010-11-01

One of the many technological areas that ZnO is interesting for is the construction of opto-electronic devices working in the blue-UV range as its large band gap (˜3.4 eV at 10 K) makes them suitable for that purpose. As-grown ZnO shows generally n-type conductivity partially due to the large concentration of unintentional shallow donors, like H, but impurities can also form complexes with acceptor type defects (Zn vacancy) leading to the creation of compensating defects. Recently, LiZn and NaZn acceptors have been measured and H could form similar type of defects. Doppler Broadening Positron Annihilation spectroscopy experimental results on the observation of Zn related vacancy complexes in ZnO thin films, as-grown, O implanted and Al doped will be presented. Results show that as-grown ZnO film show small Zn vacancy related complexed that could be related to presence of H as a unintentional doping element.

Defect controlled room temperature ferromagnetism in Co-doped barium titanate nanocrystals

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ray, Sugata; Kolen'ko, Yury V; Watanabe, Tomoaki; Yoshimura, Masahiro; Itoh, Mitsuru; Kovnir, Kirill A; Lebedev, Oleg I; Turner, Stuart; Erni, Rolf; Tendeloo, Gustaaf Van; Chakraborty, Tanushree

2012-01-01

Defect mediated high temperature ferromagnetism in oxide nanocrystallites is the central feature of this work. Here, we report the development of room temperature ferromagnetism in nanosized Co-doped barium titanate particles with a size of around 14 nm, synthesized by a solvothermal drying method. A combination of x-ray diffraction with state-of-the-art electron microscopy techniques confirms the intrinsic doping of Co into BaTiO 3 . The development of the room temperature ferromagnetism was tracked down to the different donor defects, namely hydroxyl groups at the oxygen site and oxygen vacancies and their relative concentrations at the surface and the core of the nanocrystal, which could be controlled by post-synthesis drying and thermal treatments.

Nonlinear effects in defect production by atomic and molecular ion implantation

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

David, C.; Dholakia, Manan; Chandra, Sharat; Nair, K. G. M.; Panigrahi, B. K.; Amirthapandian, S.; Amarendra, G.; Varghese Anto, C.; Santhana Raman, P.; Kennedy, John

2015-01-01

This report deals with studies concerning vacancy related defects created in silicon due to implantation of 200 keV per atom aluminium and its molecular ions up to a plurality of 4. The depth profiles of vacancy defects in samples in their as implanted condition are carried out by Doppler broadening spectroscopy using low energy positron beams. In contrast to studies in the literature reporting a progressive increase in damage with plurality, implantation of aluminium atomic and molecular ions up to Al 3 , resulted in production of similar concentration of vacancy defects. However, a drastic increase in vacancy defects is observed due to Al 4 implantation. The observed behavioural trend with respect to plurality has even translated to the number of vacancies locked in vacancy clusters, as determined through gold labelling experiments. The impact of aluminium atomic and molecular ions simulated using MD showed a monotonic increase in production of vacancy defects for cluster sizes up to 4. The trend in damage production with plurality has been explained on the basis of a defect evolution scheme in which for medium defect concentrations, there is a saturation of the as-implanted damage and an increase for higher defect concentrations

Physical model of evolution of oxygen subsystem of PLZT-ceramics at neutron irradiation and annealing

CERN Document Server

Kulikov, D V; Trushin, Y V; Veber, K V; Khumer, K; Bitner, R; Shternberg, A R

2001-01-01

The physical model of evolution of the oxygen subsystem defects of the ferroelectric PLZT-ceramics by the neutron irradiation and isochrone annealing is proposed. The model accounts for the effect the lanthanum content on the material properties. The changes in the oxygen vacancies concentration, calculated by the proposed model, agree well with the polarization experimental behavior by the irradiated material annealing

Origin of the defects-induced ferromagnetism in un-doped ZnO single crystals

Science.gov (United States)

Zhan, Peng; Xie, Zheng; Li, Zhengcao; Wang, Weipeng; Zhang, Zhengjun; Li, Zhuoxin; Cheng, Guodong; Zhang, Peng; Wang, Baoyi; Cao, Xingzhong

2013-02-01

We clarified, in this Letter, that in un-doped ZnO single crystals after thermal annealing in flowing argon, the defects-induced room-temperature ferromagnetism was originated from the surface defects and specifically, from singly occupied oxygen vacancies denoted as F+, by the optical and electrical properties measurements as well as positron annihilation analysis. In addition, a positive linear relationship was observed between the ferromagnetism and the F+ concentration, which is in support with the above clarification.

Irradiation-induced defects in ZnO studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tuomisto, F.; Saarinen, K. [Laboratory of Physics, Helsinki University of Technology (Finland); Look, D.C. [Semiconductor Research Center, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio (United States)

2004-08-01

We have used positron annihilation spectroscopy to study the point defects induced by 2 MeV electron irradiation (fluence 6 x 10{sup 17} cm{sup -2}) in single crystal n-type ZnO samples. The positron lifetime measurements have shown that the zinc vacancies in their doubly negative charge state, which act as dominant compensating centers in the as-grown material, are produced in the irradiation and their contribution to the electrical compensation is important. The lifetime measurements reveal also the presence of competing positron traps with low binding energy and lifetime close to that of the bulk lattice. The analysis of the Doppler broadening of the 511 keV annihilation line indicates that these defects can be identified as neutral oxygen vacancies. (copyright 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)

Detection of oxygen-related defects in GaAs by exo-electron emission spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hulluvarad, Shiva S.; Naddaf, M.; Bhoraskar, S.V.

2001-01-01

The influence of intentional introduction of oxygen, at the surface of GaAs, on its native surface states was studied. Oxygen was made to interact with the surface of GaAs by three different means: (1) by growing native oxides, (2) exposing to oxygen plasma in an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma reactor and by (3) high energy oxygen ion irradiation. Thermally stimulated exo-electron emission (TSEE) spectroscopy was used to estimate the relative densities and energies of the surface states induced by the three different modes of introducing oxygen. Out of the two native defect levels found in GaAs by TSEE; at 325 K (0.7 eV below E c ) and at 415 K (0.9 below E c ); the former is seen to get broadened or split into multiple peaks in each of the methods. Multiple peaks in TSEE signify the presence of a closely spaced band of defect levels. Therefore the results exclusively point out that oxygen-related complexes contribute to the formation of a band of defects centered at 325 K in TSEE which is correlated to an energy level 0.7 eV below E c known as the EL2 defect level. The results reported in this paper thus confirm that the TSEE peak at 0.7 eV below E c is related to oxygen induced defects whereas the peak at 0.9 eV is not affected by the presence of oxygen-related species

Detection of oxygen-related defects in GaAs by exo-electron emission spectroscopy

Science.gov (United States)

Hulluvarad, Shiva S.; Naddaf, M.; Bhoraskar, S. V.

2001-10-01

The influence of intentional introduction of oxygen, at the surface of GaAs, on its native surface states was studied. Oxygen was made to interact with the surface of GaAs by three different means: (1) by growing native oxides, (2) exposing to oxygen plasma in an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma reactor and by (3) high energy oxygen ion irradiation. Thermally stimulated exo-electron emission (TSEE) spectroscopy was used to estimate the relative densities and energies of the surface states induced by the three different modes of introducing oxygen. Out of the two native defect levels found in GaAs by TSEE; at 325 K (0.7 eV below Ec) and at 415 K (0.9 below Ec); the former is seen to get broadened or split into multiple peaks in each of the methods. Multiple peaks in TSEE signify the presence of a closely spaced band of defect levels. Therefore the results exclusively point out that oxygen-related complexes contribute to the formation of a band of defects centered at 325 K in TSEE which is correlated to an energy level 0.7 eV below Ec known as the EL2 defect level. The results reported in this paper thus confirm that the TSEE peak at 0.7 eV below Ec is related to oxygen induced defects whereas the peak at 0.9 eV is not affected by the presence of oxygen-related species.

Detection of oxygen-related defects in GaAs by exo-electron emission spectroscopy

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hulluvarad, Shiva S.; Naddaf, M.; Bhoraskar, S.V.

2004-01-01

The influence of intentional introduction of oxygen, at the surface of GaAs, on its native surface states was studied. Oxygen was made to interact with the surface of GaAs by three different means: (1) by growing native oxides, (2) exposing to oxygen plasma in an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma reactor and by (3) high energy oxygen ion irradiation. Thermally stimulated exo-electron emission (TSEE) spectroscopy was used to estimate the relative densities and energies of the surface states induced by the three different modes of introducing oxygen. Out of the two native defect levels found in GaAs by TSEE; at 325 K (0.7 eV below E c ) and at 415 K (0.9 below E c ); the former is seen to get broadened or split into multiple peaks in each of the methods. Multiple peaks in TSEE signify the presence of a closely spaced band of defect levels. Therefore the results exclusively point out that oxygen-related complexes contribute to the formation of a band of defects centered at 325 K in TSEE which is correlated to an energy level 0.7 eV below E c known as the EL2 defect level. The results reported in this paper thus confirm that the TSEE peak at 0.7 eV below E c is related to oxygen induced defects whereas the peak at 0.9 eV is not affected by the presence of oxygen-related species. (author)

Diffusion in a pure, high-vacancy-content crystal

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

McKee, R.A.

1981-01-01

The idea that vacancies can follow a nonrandom walk in a solid has been developed and put into a quantitative form for diffusion in a pure, high-vacancy-content crystal. Intrinsic and tracer diffusion in a metal have been analyzed, and the electrical mobility in an ionic solid has been expressed in terms of the tracer diffusion coefficient and the separate correlation factors for atoms and vacancies. The description uses classical methods of diffusion theory, and generalized results that account for nonrandom vacancy walk have been shown to reduce to those obtained by Howard and Lidiard in a system where the vacancy moves randomly as an isolated point defect. Experimental data for carbon diffusion in fcc iron have been examined to illustrate an interstitial-vacancy analogy that was used in this analysis, and the general result has been applied specifically to discuss vacancy diffusion in Fe/sub 1-x/S

Initial deposition and electron paramagnetic resonance defects characterization of TiO2 films prepared using successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wu Yiyong; Shi Yaping; Xu Xianbin; Sun Chengyue

2012-01-01

Successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) technique was considered promisingly to deposit ultra thin titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) films under ambient condition. In this paper, the growth process, structures and paramagnetic defects of the films were characterized by complementary techniques of atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results indicate that on glass substrate the SILAR TiO 2 film nucleates in an island mode within the initial five deposition cycles but grows in a layer-by-layer mode afterwards. The growth rate was measured as 4.6 Å/cycle. In the as-deposited films, a kind of paramagnetic defects is detected at g (2.0029) and it can be attributed to oxygen vacancies. These as-received oxygen vacancies could be annealed out at 473 K. Ultraviolet irradiation on the as-deposited films can also decrease the density of the defects. The relative mechanisms on the phenomenon were discussed in this paper. - Highlights: ► TiO 2 films are deposited on glass at 25 °C by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method with a rate of 4.6 Å/cycle. ► The films nucleate in an island mode initially but grow in a layer mode afterwards. ► The SILAR TiO 2 films nucleation period is five cycles. ► Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy shows that TiO 2 films paramagnetic defects are attributed to oxygen vacancies. ► They will decrease by anneal or ultraviolet radiation and form hydroxyl or superoxide radicals.

Charge doping and large lattice expansion in oxygen-deficient heteroepitaxial WO3

Science.gov (United States)

Mattoni, Giordano; Filippetti, Alessio; Manca, Nicola; Zubko, Pavlo; Caviglia, Andrea D.

2018-05-01

Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is a versatile material with widespread applications ranging from electrochromics and optoelectronics to water splitting and catalysis of chemical reactions. For technological applications, thin films of WO3 are particularly appealing, taking advantage from a high surface-to-volume ratio and tunable physical properties. However, the growth of stoichiometric crystalline thin films is challenging because the deposition conditions are very sensitive to the formation of oxygen vacancies. In this paper, we show how background oxygen pressure during pulsed laser deposition can be used to tune the structural and electronic properties of WO3 thin films. By performing x-ray diffraction and low-temperature electrical transport measurements, we find changes in the WO3 lattice volume of up to 10% concomitantly with a resistivity drop of more than five orders of magnitude at room temperature as a function of increased oxygen deficiency. We use advanced ab initio calculations to describe in detail the properties of the oxygen vacancy defect states and their evolution in terms of excess charge concentration. Our results depict an intriguing scenario where structural, electronic, optical, and transport properties of WO3 single-crystal thin films can all be purposely tuned by controlling the oxygen vacancy formation during growth.

Defect characterization and magnetic properties in un-doped ZnO thin film annealed in a strong magnetic field

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ning Shuai; Zhan Peng; Wang Wei-Peng; Li Zheng-Cao; Zhang Zheng-Jun

2014-01-01

Highly c-axis oriented un-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films, each with a thickness of ∼ 100 nm, are deposited on Si (001) substrates by pulsed electron beam deposition at a temperature of ∼ 320 °C, followed by annealing at 650 °C in argon in a strong magnetic field. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), positron annihilation analysis (PAS), and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) characterizations suggest that the major defects generated in these ZnO films are oxygen vacancies. Photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic property measurements indicate that the room-temperature ferromagnetism in the un-doped ZnO film originates from the singly ionized oxygen vacancies whose number depends on the strength of the magnetic field applied in the thermal annealing process. The effects of the magnetic field on the defect generation in the ZnO films are also discussed. (condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties)

Effect of defects on the small polaron formation and transport properties of hematite from first-principles calculations.

Science.gov (United States)

Smart, Tyler J; Ping, Yuan

2017-10-04

Hematite (α-Fe 2 O 3 ) is a promising candidate as a photoanode material for solar-to-fuel conversion due to its favorable band gap for visible light absorption, its stability in an aqueous environment and its relatively low cost in comparison to other prospective materials. However, the small polaron transport nature in α-Fe 2 O 3 results in low carrier mobility and conductivity, significantly lowering its efficiency from the theoretical limit. Experimentally, it has been found that the incorporation of oxygen vacancies and other dopants, such as Sn, into the material appreciably enhances its photo-to-current efficiency. Yet no quantitative explanation has been provided to understand the role of oxygen vacancy or Sn-doping in hematite. We employed density functional theory to probe the small polaron formation in oxygen deficient hematite, N-doped as well as Sn-doped hematite. We computed the charged defect formation energies, the small polaron formation energy and hopping activation energies to understand the effect of defects on carrier concentration and mobility. This work provides us with a fundamental understanding regarding the role of defects on small polaron formation and transport properties in hematite, offering key insights into the design of new dopants to further improve the efficiency of transition metal oxides for solar-to-fuel conversion.

Molecular dynamics simulation on mechanical properties of crystalline CoSb3 with vacancy defect

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yang Xuqiu; Zhai Pengcheng; Liu Lisheng; Zhang Qingjie

2012-01-01

The present work has investigated the tensile mechanical behavior of the skutterudite CoSb 3 single-crystal in the presence of antimony vacancies, since the antimony atoms in CoSb 3 are active and are usually easy to lose in practice. The molecular dynamics simulation method is employed. The vacancy atoms, whose fraction is limited up to 5%, are chosen randomly. The virtual uniaxial tension is carried out by strain controlling along a principal crystallographic direction at 300 K. The specimens with vacancies show similar stress-strain response features to there of the perfect crystal. However, the effective Young's modulus decreases linearly with the increase of the vacancy content, and the ultimate strength drops substantially from no vacancy to even a small vacancy fraction. Temperature dependence of the simulation results is also considered. Both Young's modulus and the ultimate strength exhibit an approximately linear reduction with increasing temperature for a specific vacancy fraction, and moreover, the reduction rate is comparable for different vacancy fractions. The Vacancy distribution effect is briefly discussed as well. As the vacancy concentration becomes uniform, the ultimate strength of the material would be promoted significantly.

Confirmation of the Dominant Defect Mechanism in Amorphous In-Zn-O Through the Application of In Situ Brouwer Analysis

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Moffitt, Stephanie L. [Materials Science and Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois 60208; Adler, Alexander U. [Materials Science and Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois 60208; Gennett, Thomas [National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden Colorado 80401; Ginley, David S. [National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden Colorado 80401; Perkins, John D. [National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden Colorado 80401; Mason, Thomas O. [Materials Science and Engineering Department, Northwestern University, Evanston Illinois 60208; Zhou, X. -D.

2015-04-08

The dominant point defect mechanism of amorphous (a-) indium zinc oxide (IZO) was probed through in situ electrical characterization of sputtered a-IZO thin films in response to changes in oxygen partial pressure (pO2) at 300 degrees C. The results yielded a power law dependence of conductivity (s) versus pOinline image of ~-1/6. This experimental method, known as Brouwer analysis, confirms doubly-charged oxygen vacancies as the dominant defect species in a-IZO. The success of this study suggests that Brouwer analysis is a viable method for studying the defect mechanisms of amorphous oxides.

Defect production in Ar irradiated graphene membranes under different initial applied strains

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Martinez-Asencio, J., E-mail: jesusmartinez@ua.es [Dept. Física Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Fase II, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-036090 (Spain); Ruestes, C.J.; Bringa, E. [CONICET and Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza 5500 (Argentina); Caturla, M.J. [Dept. Física Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias, Fase II, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-036090 (Spain)

2017-02-15

Highlights: • Defects in graphene membranes are formed due to 140 eV Ar ions irradiation using MD. • Different initial strains are applied, which influence the type and number of defects. • Mono-vacancies, di-vacancies and tri-vacancies production behaves linearly with dose. • The total number of defects under compression is slightly higher than under tension. - Abstract: Irradiation with low energy Ar ions of graphene membranes gives rise to changes in the mechanical properties of this material. These changes have been associated to the production of defects, mostly isolated vacancies. However, the initial state of the graphene membrane can also affect its mechanical response. Using molecular dynamics simulations we have studied defect production in graphene membranes irradiated with 140 eV Ar ions up to a dose of 0.075 × 10{sup 14} ions/cm{sup 2} and different initial strains, from −0.25% (compressive strain) to 0.25% (tensile strain). For all strains, the number of defects increases linearly with dose with a defect production of about 80% (80 defects every 100 ions). Defects are mostly single vacancies and di-vacancies, although some higher order clusters are also observed. Two different types of di-vacancies have been identified, the most common one being two vacancies at first nearest neighbours distance. Differences in the total number of defects with the applied strain are observed which is related to the production of a higher number of di-vacancies under compressive strain compared to tensile strain. We attribute this effect to the larger out-of-plane deformations of compressed samples that could favor the production of defects in closer proximity to others.

Defect disorder of undoped and Sr-doped LaCoO3-δ

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nowotny, J.; Rekas, M.

2002-01-01

The paper considers defect disorder models of undoped lanthanum cobaltate LaCoO 3-δ , and Sr-doped LaCoO 3-δ , La 1-x Sr x Co) 3-δ (LSC), involving both random defect model and cluster defect model. The models are derived using the nonstoichiometry data reported in the literature. Doubly ionized oxygen vacancies are assumed to be the predominate ionic defects within the entire range of compositions. The effect of Sr content on defect disorder of LSC is discussed in terms of both defect models. Impact of segregation on surface composition of ionic solids in general and LSC materials in particular is briefly outlined. The effect of the interface layer on functional properties of LSC as electrode material is briefly discussed. (author)

Self-interstitials, vacancies and their clusters in silicon and germanium

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Seeger, A.; Foell, H.; Frank, W.

1976-01-01

The paper begins with a survey of knowledge about swirl defects in silicon. In particular, it is shown that recent identification of the A-swirls as dislocation loops of interstitial type strongly supports a previous suggestion that the predominant equilibrium defects controlling self-diffusion in silicon at high temperatures are self-interstitials. This is followed by a brief state-of-the-art report on self-interstitials in silicon, a field in which rapid progress has been made during the past half a decade. The discussion of vacancy-type defects, which stood in the limelight of the preceding conferences, is confined to some examples of recent interest, such as the interaction of vacancy-type defects with hydrogen atoms, positrons and positive muons. (author)

Detection of oxygen-related defects in GaAs by exo-electron emission spectroscopy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Hulluvarad, Shiva S.; Naddaf, M.; Bhoraskar, S.V. E-mail: svb@physics.unipune.ernet.in

2001-10-01

The influence of intentional introduction of oxygen, at the surface of GaAs, on its native surface states was studied. Oxygen was made to interact with the surface of GaAs by three different means: (1) by growing native oxides, (2) exposing to oxygen plasma in an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma reactor and by (3) high energy oxygen ion irradiation. Thermally stimulated exo-electron emission (TSEE) spectroscopy was used to estimate the relative densities and energies of the surface states induced by the three different modes of introducing oxygen. Out of the two native defect levels found in GaAs by TSEE; at 325 K (0.7 eV below E{sub c}) and at 415 K (0.9 below E{sub c}); the former is seen to get broadened or split into multiple peaks in each of the methods. Multiple peaks in TSEE signify the presence of a closely spaced band of defect levels. Therefore the results exclusively point out that oxygen-related complexes contribute to the formation of a band of defects centered at 325 K in TSEE which is correlated to an energy level 0.7 eV below E{sub c} known as the EL2 defect level. The results reported in this paper thus confirm that the TSEE peak at 0.7 eV below E{sub c} is related to oxygen induced defects whereas the peak at 0.9 eV is not affected by the presence of oxygen-related species.