Electronic structure, optical and magnetic properties of fcc palladium

Structures, fundamental properties, and potential applications of low-dimensional C60 polymers and other nanocarbons: a review

Since carbon (C) atom has a variety of chemical bonds via hybridization between s and p atomic orbitals, it is well known that there are robust carbon materials. In particular, discovery of C60 has been an epoch making to cultivate nanocarbon fields. Since then, nanocarbon materials such as nanotube and graphene have been reported. It is interesting to note that C60 is soluble and volatile unlike nanotube and graphene. This indicates that C60 film is easy to be produced on any kinds of substrates, which is advantage for device fabrication. In particular, electron-/photo-induced C60 polymerization finally results in formation of one-dimensional (1D) metallic peanut-shaped and 2D dumbbell-shaped semiconducting C60 polymers, respectively. This enables us to control the physicochemical properties of C60 films using electron-/photo-lithography techniques. In this review, we focused on the structures, fundamental properties, and potential applications of the low-dimensional C60 polymers and other nanocarbons such as C60 peapods, wavy-structured graphene, and penta-nanotubes with topological defects. We hope this review will provide new insights for producing new novel nanocarbon materials and inspire broad readers to cultivate new further research in carbon materials.

Polymer Nanocomposite Containing Palladium Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties

Composite nanomaterials have been prepared through thermal decomposition of palladium diacetate. The composite contains palladium nanoparticles embedded in high-pressure polyethylene. The materials were studied by a number of different physico-chemical methods, such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, and EXAFS. The average size of the nanoparticles is 7.0 ± 0.5 nm. It is shown that with the decrease of metal content in the polymer matrix the average size of nanoparticles decreased from 7 to 6 nm, and the coordination number of palladium also decreased from 7 to 5.7. The mean size of palladium particles increases with the growing concentration of palladium content in the matrix. It is shown that the electrophysical properties of the material obtained depend on the filler concentration. The chemical composition of palladium components includes metallic palladium, palladium (III) oxide, and palladium dioxide. All samples have narrow lines (3-5 Oe) with a g factor of around two in the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. It is shown that EPR lines have uneven boarding by saturation lines investigation. The relaxation component properties are different for spectral components. It leads to the spectrum line width depending on the magnetic field value. At first approximation, the EPR spectra can be described as a sum of two Lorentzian function graphs, corresponding to the following two paramagnetic centers: one is on the surface, and one is inside the palladium particles. Some of the experimental characteristics were measured for the first time. The data obtained indicate interesting properties of palladium-based nanocomposites, which will be useful for obtaining products based on these materials.

Strained epitaxial interfaces of metal (Pd, Pt, Au) overlayers on nonpolar CdS ([Formula: see text]) surfaces from first-principles

The depositions of (1 1 1) and (1 0 0) overlayers of Pd, Pt and Au on the CdS (1 0 [Formula: see text] 0) surface are studied within epitaxial mismatches of 6%-7%, using spin-polarized density functional theory. For both compressively strained and tensile-strained interfaces, the (1 0 0) overlayers were found to be thermodynamically more stable owing to better interfacial matching, and higher surface uncoordination resulting in higher reactivity. Pt(1 1 1) exhibits slip dislocations even for five-atomic-layer thick Pt slabs. Along with the leading metal-S interaction, the interfacial charge transfers indicate a weak metal-Cd interaction which decreases in strength in the order Pd  >  Pt  ∼  Au. For the same substrate area, the accumulation of electronic charge for Pt overlayers is  ∼1.5-2 times larger than that of Pd and Au. The n-type Schottky barriers of Au overlayers with the minimum mismatch are within 0.1 eV of the predictions of Schottky-Mott rule, indicating a relatively ideal, scantily reactive interface structure. This is in clear contrast to the Pt epitaxial overlayers which deviate by 0.6-0.8 eV.

The influence of hydroxy groups on the adsorption of three-carbon alcohols on Ni(111), Pd(111) and Pt(111) surfaces: a density functional theory study within the D3 dispersion correction

Experimentally, steric and inductive effects have been suggested as key parameters in the adsorption and reactivity of alcohols on transition-metal (TM) surfaces, however, our atomistic understanding of the behavior of alcohols in catalysis is far from satisfactory, in particular, due to the role of hydroxy groups in the adsorption properties of C3 alcohols on TM surfaces. In this study, we investigated those effects through ab initio calculations based on density functional theory employing a semilocal exchange-correlation functional within van der Waals corrections (the D3 framework) for the adsorption of C3 alcohols with different numbers and positions of OH groups, namely, propane, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-propanediol and glycerol, on the compact Ni(111), Pd(111) and Pt(111) surfaces. As expected, we found that the adsorption energy is affected by the number of hydroxy groups with similar values for each pair of regioisomers, which clearly indicates the effect of the number of OH groups. Based on Bader charge analysis, we found an effective charge transfer from the C3 molecules to the substrates, which can explain the reduction in the work function due to adsorption. Upon adsorption, the alpha carbon to the OH group closest to the surface and the central carbon are the most positively charged atoms, which increases the lability of their bonded H atoms. In addition, the depletion of electron density between the C-H and O-H bonds closer to the surfaces corroborated their stretching, suggesting that the proximity of the adsorbates to the surfaces affects the acidity of these H atoms, as well as inductive effects within the molecules.

Asymmetric magnetic proximity effect in a Pd/Co/Pd trilayer system

In spintronic devices consisting of ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic systems, the ferromagnet-induced magnetic moment in the adjacent nonmagnetic material significantly influences the spin transport properties. In this study, such magnetic proximity effect in a Pd/Co/Pd trilayer system is investigated by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism and x-ray resonant magnetic reflectivity, which enables magnetic characterizations with element and depth resolution. We observe that the total Pd magnetic moments induced at the top Co/Pd interface are significantly larger than the Pd moments at the bottom Pd/Co interface, whereas transmission electron microscopy and reflectivity analysis indicate the two interfaces are nearly identical structurally. Such asymmetry in magnetic proximity effects could be important for understanding spin transport characteristics in ferromagnetic/nonmagnetic systems and its potential application to spin devices.

Low-energy dielectric screening in Pd and PdHx systems

Modifications in dielectric properties of palladium upon absorption of hydrogen are investigated theoretically in the low-energy (0-2 eV) region. The calculations were performed with full inclusion of the electronic band structure obtained within a self-consistent pseudopotential approach. In particular, we trace the evolution of the acoustic-like plasmon (AP) found previously in clean Pd with increasing hydrogen concentration. It exists in PdHx up to the hydrogen content x corresponding to the complete filling of the 4d Pd-derived energy bands because of the presence of two kinds of carriers at the Fermi surface. At higher H concentration the AP disappears since only one kind of carrier within the sp-like energy band exists at the Fermi level. Additionally, we investigate the spatial distribution inside the crystal of a potential caused by a time-dependent external perturbation and observe drastic modifications in the screening properties in the PdHx systems with energy and with hydrogen concentration.

Metallic three-coordinated carbon networks with eight-membered rings showing high density of states at the Fermi level

Using a density functional method to study the electronic structure of various three-coordinated sp(2) carbon nanostructures, we find that the presence of an eight-membered ring adjoined to two five-membered rings in a unit cell brings about the simultaneous occurrence of flat and dispersive bands, quite similar to the band structure of precious metals. These bands are parts of an anisotropic Dirac cone tilted from an isotropic one. We reveal that in-phase and out-of-phase oscillations in the sign of the phase of the Kohn-Sham orbital contribute to the appearance of the unique band structures.

Magnetism in nanoparticles: tuning properties with coatings

This paper reviews the effect of organic and inorganic coatings on magnetic nanoparticles. The ferromagnetic-like behaviour observed in nanoparticles constituted by materials which are non-magnetic in bulk is analysed for two cases: (a) Pd and Pt nanoparticles, formed by substances close to the onset of ferromagnetism, and (b) Au and ZnO nanoparticles, which were found to be surprisingly magnetic at the nanoscale when coated by organic surfactants. An overview of theories accounting for this unexpected magnetism, induced by the nanosize influence, is presented. In addition, the effect of coating magnetic nanoparticles with biocompatible metals, oxides or organic molecules is also reviewed, focusing on their applications.

Electrically tunable anomalous Hall effect in Pt thin films

Pt is often considered to be an exchange-enhanced paramagnetic material, in which the Stoner criterion for ferromagnetism is nearly satisfied and, thus, external stimuli may induce unconventional magnetic characteristics. We report that a nonmagnetic perturbation in the form of a gate voltage applied via an ionic liquid induces an anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in Pt thin films, which resembles the AHE induced by the contact to Bi-doped yttrium iron garnet. Analysis of detailed temperature and magnetic field experiments indicates that the evolution of the AHE with temperature can be explained in terms of large local moments; the applied electric field induces magnetic moments as large as ~10 μ(B) that follow the Langevin function.

Interplay between superconductivity and magnetism in Fe(1-x)Pd(x)Te

The attractive/repulsive relationship between superconductivity and magnetic ordering has fascinated the condensed matter physics community for a century. In the early days, magnetic impurities doped into a superconductor were found to quickly suppress superconductivity. Later, a variety of systems, such as cuprates, heavy fermions, and Fe pnictides, showed superconductivity in a narrow region near the border to antiferromagnetism (AFM) as a function of pressure or doping. However, the coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetic (FM) or AFM ordering is found in a few compounds [RRh4B4 (R = Nd, Sm, Tm, Er), R'Mo6X8 (R' = Tb, Dy, Er, Ho, and X = S, Se), UMGe (M = Ge, Rh, Co), CeCoIn5, EuFe2(As(1-x)P(x))2, etc.], providing evidence for their compatibility. Here, we present a third situation, where superconductivity coexists with FM and near the border of AFM in Fe(1-x)Pd(x)Te. The doping of Pd for Fe gradually suppresses the first-order AFM ordering at temperature T(N/S), and turns into short-range AFM correlation with a characteristic peak in magnetic susceptibility at T'(N). Superconductivity sets in when T'(N) reaches zero. However, there is a gigantic ferromagnetic dome imposed in the superconducting-AFM (short-range) cross-over regime. Such a system is ideal for studying the interplay between superconductivity and two types of magnetic (FM and AFM) interactions.

Water-soluble Pd nanoparticles capped with glutathione: synthesis, characterization, and magnetic properties

The synthesis, characterization, and magnetic properties of water-soluble Pd nanoparticles capped with glutathione are described. The glutathione-capped Pd nanoparticles were synthesized under argon and air atmospheres at room temperature. Whereas the former exhibits a bulklike lattice parameter, the lattice parameter of the latter is found to be considerably greater, indicating anomalous lattice expansion. Comparative structural and compositional studies of these nanoparticles suggest the presence of oxygen in the core lattice when Pd nanoparticles are prepared under an air atmosphere. Both Pd nanoparticles prepared under argon and air show ferromagnetism at 5 K, but the latter exhibits significantly greater coercivity (88 Oe) and magnetization (0.09 emu/g at 50 kOe). The enhanced ferromagnetic properties are explained by the electronic effect of the incorporated oxygen that increases the 4d density of holes at the Pd site and localizes magnetic moments.

Structural and magnetic characterization of Pd nanoparticles encapsulated in apoferritin

Pd nanoparticles exhibiting permanent magnetism at room temperature have been prepared within the apoferritin cavity. Pd nanoparticles in air and under an inert atmosphere were synthesized to study the influence of the aerobic and anaerobic conditions in the final magnetic properties. The surface of nanoparticles as well as the type of crystalline phase could determine the magnetic properties. X-ray powder diffraction, including Debye-function analysis, transmission electronic microscopy, and magnetization measurements have been used for characterizing the nanoparticles.

Enhanced magnetic moment in Fe-doped Pd(n) clusters (n = 1-13): a density functional study

Here we report a systematic theoretical study of the equilibrium structures, electronic and magnetic properties of FePd(n-1) clusters with n = 1-13, within the framework of density functional theory. The results show that the doping of a single Fe impurity enhances the binding energies as well as the magnetic moment of the Pd(n) clusters. Interestingly, in the mid-size region (n = 5-7), Fe substitution in Pd(n) clusters results in a three fold enhancement in the magnetic moment. We find that the geometries of the host clusters do not change significantly after the addition of an Fe atom, except for n = 6, 7, 11, 12. In the lowest energy configurations, the Fe atom tries to increase its coordination number by moving from the convex to the interior site as the number of Pd atoms varies from 2 to 12.

Magnetic and Electronic Properties of Palladium Nanoparticles Coated with π-Conjugated Tetrathiafulvalenes Derivative

Magnetic and electronic properties are investigated for Pd nanoparticles coated with a TTF-derivative (EDT-TTF(SCH(3))(SC(10)H(20)SH)) and octadecanethiol organic mixed monolayer. The temperature-independent spin susceptibility and spin concentration of Pd decrease upon the increasing proportion of the TTF-derivative in the organic layer. With the introduction of the derivative, the ESR broad signal originating from the interior of the Pd nanoparticles tends to vanish following the appearance of sharp signals due to the TTF radical. The presence of the TTF molecules enhances the charge transfer from the core Pd nanoparticles. The electronic state of the Pd nanoparticles changes as a consequence of the contributions of both the quantum-size effect and the charge-transfer effect between the Pd core, TTF-derivative, and alkanethiol.

Ferromagnetism in fcc twinned 2.4 nm size Pd nanoparticles

The onset of ferromagnetism has been experimentally observed in small Pd particles of average diameter 2.4 nm. High-resolution studies reveal that a high percentage of the fcc particle exhibits single and multiple twinning boundaries. The spontaneous magnetization close to 0.02 emu/g seems to indicate that only a small fraction of atoms holds a permanent magnetic moment and contributes to ferromagnetism. The possible origin of ferromagnetism is briefly discussed according to different models recently reported.