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Silarski M, Dziedzic-Kocurek K, Drużbicki K, Reterski R, Grabowski P, Krzystyniak M. Non-invasive detection of hazardous materials with a thermal-to-epithermal neutron station: a feasibility study towards practical application. Sci Rep 2024; 14:18584. [PMID: 39127754 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-69290-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The growing scale of the devastation that even a single terrorist attack can cause requires more effective methods for the detection of hazardous materials. In particular, there are no solutions for effectively monitoring threats at sea, both for the off-shore infrastructure and ports. Currently, state-of-the-art detection methods determine the density distribution and the shapes of tested subjects but only allow for a limited degree of substance identification. This work aims to present a feasibility study of the possible usage of several methods available on the thermal-to-epithermal neutron station, VESUVIO, at the ISIS neutron and muon spallation source, UK, for the detection of hazardous materials. To this end, we present the results of a series of experiments performed concurrently employing neutron transmission and Compton scattering using melamine, a commonly used explosive surrogate, in order to determine its signal characteristics and limits of detection and quantitation. The experiments are supported by first-principles modelling, providing detailed scrutiny of the material structure and the nuclear dynamics behind the neutron scattering observables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Silarski
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics of the Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348, Cracow, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Dziedzic-Kocurek
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics of the Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348, Cracow, Poland
| | - Kacper Drużbicki
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363, Lodz, Poland
| | - Radosław Reterski
- Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387, Cracow, Poland
| | - Patryk Grabowski
- M. Smoluchowski Institute of Physics of the Jagiellonian University, Łojasiewicza 11, 30-348, Cracow, Poland
| | - Matthew Krzystyniak
- ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford, OX11 0QX, UK.
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Drużbicki K, Gila-Herranz P, Marin-Villa P, Gaboardi M, Armstrong J, Fernandez-Alonso F. Cation Dynamics as Structure Explorer in Hybrid Perovskites-The Case of MAPbI 3. CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN 2024; 24:391-404. [PMID: 38188269 PMCID: PMC10768891 DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.3c01112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites exhibit remarkable potential as cost-effective and high-efficiency materials for photovoltaic applications. Their exceptional chemical tunability opens further routes for optimizing their optical and electronic properties through structural engineering. Nevertheless, the extraordinary softness of the lattice, stemming from its interconnected organic-inorganic composition, unveils formidable challenges in structural characterization. Here, by focusing on the quintessential methylammonium lead triiodide, MAPbI3, we combine first-principles modeling with high-resolution neutron scattering data to identify the key stationary points on its shallow potential energy landscape. This combined experimental and computational approach enables us to benchmark the performance of a collection of semilocal exchange-correlation functionals and to track the local distortions of the perovskite framework, hallmarked by the inelastic neutron scattering response of the organic cation. By conducting a thorough examination of structural distortions, we introduce the IKUR-PVP-1 structural data set. This data set contains nine mechanically stable structural models, each manifesting a distinct vibrational response. IKUR-PVP-1 constitutes a valuable resource for assessing thermal behavior in the low-temperature perovskite phase. In addition, it paves the way for the development of accurate force fields, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between the structure and dynamics in MAPbI3 and related hybrid perovskites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacper Drużbicki
- Materials
Physics Center, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia-San Sebastian 20018, Spain
- Polish
Academy of Sciences, Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Sienkiewicza 112, Lodz 90-363, Poland
| | - Pablo Gila-Herranz
- Materials
Physics Center, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia-San Sebastian 20018, Spain
| | - Pelayo Marin-Villa
- Materials
Physics Center, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia-San Sebastian 20018, Spain
| | - Mattia Gaboardi
- Materials
Physics Center, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia-San Sebastian 20018, Spain
- C.S.G.I.
& Chemistry Department, University of
Pavia, Viale Taramelli,
16, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - Jeff Armstrong
- ISIS
Neutron and Muon Facility, Rutherford Appleton
Laboratory, Didcot OX11 0QX, U.K.
| | - Felix Fernandez-Alonso
- Materials
Physics Center, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, Donostia-San Sebastian 20018, Spain
- Donostia
International Physics Center (DIPC), Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 4, Donostia-San
Sebastian 20018, Spain
- IKERBASQUE,
Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, Bilbao 48009, Spain
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