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Perfecto-Irigaray M, Beobide G, Castillo O, Allan MG, Kühnel MF, Luque A, Singh H, Yadav AK, Pérez-Yáñez S. Unravelling co-catalyst integration methods in Ti-based metal-organic gels for photocatalytic H 2 production. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:9482-9494. [PMID: 38767604 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt00880d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
The synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance of a series of metal-organic gels (MOGs) constructed from titanium(IV)-oxo clusters and dicarboxylato linkers (benzene-1,4-dicarboxylato and 2-aminobenzene-1,4-dicarboxylato) are described. All the MOGs exhibit a microstructure comprised of metal-organic nanoparticles intertwined into a highly meso-/macroporous structure, as demonstrated by cryogenic transmission electron microscopy and gas adsorption isotherms. Comprehensive chemical characterization enabled the estimation of the complex formula for these defective materials, which exhibit low crystallinity and linker vacancies. To gain deeper insights into the local structure, X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy experiments were performed and compared to that of the analogous crystalline metal-organic framework. Additionally, the ultraviolet-visible absorption properties and optical band gaps were determined from diffuse reflectance spectroscopy data. The MOGs were studied as light absorbers for the sacrificial photocatalytic HER under simulated solar light irradiation using a platinum co-catalyst by either (1) in situ photodeposition or (2) ex situ doping process, through a post-synthetic metalation of the MOG structure. The chemical analysis of the metalation, along with high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, revealed that although the in situ addition of the co-catalyst led to greater HER rates (227 vs. 110 μmolH2 gMOG-1 h-1 for in situ and ex situ, respectively), the ex situ modification provided a finer distribution of platinum nanoparticles along the porous microstructure and, as a result, it led to a more efficient utilization of the co-catalyst (45 vs. 110 mmolH2 gPt-1 h-1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Maite Perfecto-Irigaray
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, P.O. 644, Bilbao E-48080, Spain.
| | - Garikoitz Beobide
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, P.O. 644, Bilbao E-48080, Spain.
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Oscar Castillo
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, P.O. 644, Bilbao E-48080, Spain.
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Michael G Allan
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, SA2 8PP Swansea, UK
- North Campus Research Complex, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Moritz F Kühnel
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Singleton Park, SA2 8PP Swansea, UK
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Antonio Luque
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, P.O. 644, Bilbao E-48080, Spain.
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa 48940, Spain
| | - Harishchandra Singh
- Nano and Molecular Systems Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu FIN-90014, Finland
| | - Ashok Kumar Yadav
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, Beamline SIRIUS, Saint-Aubin, F-91192, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Sonia Pérez-Yáñez
- Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, P.O. 644, Bilbao E-48080, Spain.
- BCMaterials, Basque Center for Materials, Applications and Nanostructures, UPV/EHU Science Park, Leioa 48940, Spain
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Ciatto G, Filippone F, Polimeni A, Pettinari G. Exceptional Hydrogen Uptake in Crystalline In xGa 1-xN Semiconductors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:27268-27279. [PMID: 38758944 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The irradiation of InN and InxGa1-xN samples with low-energy H ions results in exceptionally high hydrogen uptake in a crystalline semiconductor. This phenomenon is attributed to specific In-H complex formation. By exploiting spectral fingerprints of the In-H complexes observable in In L3-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we provide direct evidence of complex formation. Density functional theory calculations assist in interpreting the X-ray absorption spectra and offer insights into the energetics of complex formation. We quantify the total amount of reversibly incorporated hydrogen in these semiconductors and discuss their strengths and weaknesses as innovative materials for hydrogen storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Ciatto
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin, BP48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Francesco Filippone
- National Research Council, Istituto di Struttura della Materia (ISM-CNR). Via Salaria Km 29.5, 00016 Monterotondo Stazione, Italy
| | - Antonio Polimeni
- Physics Department, Sapienza University of Rome. P.le A. Moro 2, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Pettinari
- National Research Council, Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies (IFN-CNR), Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Roma, Italy
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Yadav AK, Ma W, Abi Younes P, Ciatto G, Gauthier N, Skopin E, Quadrelli EA, Schneider N, Renevier H. Quantitative in situ synchrotron X-ray analysis of the ALD/MLD growth of transition metal dichalcogenide TiS 2 ultrathin films. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:1853-1864. [PMID: 38167682 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr04222g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
We present the results of a full quantitative analysis of X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) performed in situ during the growth of ultrathin titanium disulfide (TiS2) films via an innovative two-step process, i.e. atomic layer deposition/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) followed by annealing. This growth strategy aims at separating the growth process from the crystallization process by first creating an amorphous Ti-thiolate that is converted later to crystalline TiS2via thermal annealing. The simultaneous analysis of Ti and S K-edge XAS spectra, exploiting the insights from density functional theory calculations, allows us to shed light on the chemical and structural mechanisms underlying the main steps of growth. The nature of the bonding at the base of the interface creation with the SiO2 substrate is disclosed in this study. Evidence of a progressive incorporation of S in the amorphous Ti-thiolate is given. Finally, it is shown that the annealing step plays a critical role since the transformation of the Ti-thiolate into nanocrystalline TiS2 and the loss of S are simultaneously induced, validating the two-step synthesis approach, which entails distinct growth and crystallization steps. These observations contribute to a deeper understanding of the bonding mechanism at the interface and provide insights for future research in this field and the generation of ultra-thin layered materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok-Kumar Yadav
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, Beamline SIRIUS, Saint-Aubin, F-91192, Gif sur Yvette, France.
| | - Weiliang Ma
- IPVF (UMR 9006), Institut Photovoltaïque d'Ile-de-France, F-91120 Palaiseau, France
| | - Petros Abi Younes
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble-INP, LMGP, F-38000 Grenoble, France
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CEA, LETI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Gianluca Ciatto
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, Beamline SIRIUS, Saint-Aubin, F-91192, Gif sur Yvette, France.
| | | | - Evgeniy Skopin
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble-INP, LMGP, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | | | | | - Hubert Renevier
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble-INP, LMGP, F-38000 Grenoble, France
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Hemmerle A, Aubert N, Moreno T, Kékicheff P, Heinrich B, Spagnoli S, Goldmann M, Ciatto G, Fontaine P. Opportunities and new developments for the study of surfaces and interfaces in soft condensed matter at the SIRIUS beamline of Synchrotron SOLEIL. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2024; 31:162-176. [PMID: 37933848 PMCID: PMC10833424 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577523008810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
The SIRIUS beamline of Synchrotron SOLEIL is dedicated to X-ray scattering and spectroscopy of surfaces and interfaces, covering the tender to mid-hard X-ray range (1.1-13 keV). The beamline has hosted a wide range of experiments in the field of soft interfaces and beyond, providing various grazing-incidence techniques such as diffraction and wide-angle scattering (GIXD/GIWAXS), small-angle scattering (GISAXS) and X-ray fluorescence in total reflection (TXRF). SIRIUS also offers specific sample environments tailored for in situ complementary experiments on solid and liquid surfaces. Recently, the beamline has added compound refractive lenses associated with a transfocator, allowing for the X-ray beam to be focused down to 10 µm × 10 µm while maintaining a reasonable flux on the sample. This new feature opens up new possibilities for faster GIXD measurements at the liquid-air interface and for measurements on samples with narrow geometries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Hemmerle
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Nicolas Aubert
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Thierry Moreno
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Patrick Kékicheff
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
- Institut Charles Sadron, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR22, 67034 Strasbourg, France
| | - Benoît Heinrich
- Institut de Physique et Chimie des Matériaux de Strasbourg, Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UMR7504, 67034 Strasbourg, France
| | - Sylvie Spagnoli
- Institut des NanoSciences de Paris, UMR 7588 CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Michel Goldmann
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
- Institut des NanoSciences de Paris, UMR 7588 CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France
| | - Gianluca Ciatto
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
| | - Philippe Fontaine
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Départementale 128, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France
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Rich BB, Etinger-Geller Y, Ciatto G, Katsman A, Pokroy B. Retention of surface structure causes lower density in atomic layer deposition of amorphous titanium oxide thin films. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:6600-6612. [PMID: 33704311 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp00341k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Size effects and structural modifications in amorphous TiO2 films deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) were investigated. As with the previously investigated ALD-deposited Al2O3 system we found that the film's structure and properties are strongly dependent on its thickness, but here, besides the significant change in the density of the films there is also a change in their chemical state. The thin near-surface layer contained a significantly larger amount of Ti+3 species and oxygen vacancies relative to the sample's bulk. We attribute this change in chemistry to the ALD specific deposition process wherein each different atomic species is deposited in turn, thereby forming a "corundum-like" structure of the near-surface layer resembling that found in the Al2O3 system. This, combined with the fact that each deposited layer starts out as a surface layer and maintains the surface structure over the next several following deposition cycles, is responsible for the overall decrease in the film density. This is the first time this effect has been shown in detail for TiO2, expending the previously discovered phenomenon to a new system and demonstrating that while similar effects occur, they can present in different ways for oxide systems with different structures and symmetries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin B Rich
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.
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Navarro-Quezada A, Gas K, Spindlberger A, Karimi F, Sawicki M, Ciatto G, Bonanni A. Unravelling the local crystallographic structure of ferromagnetic [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]N nanocrystals embedded in GaN. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2862. [PMID: 33536551 PMCID: PMC7859415 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82380-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Fe-doped GaN phase-separated magnetic semiconductor Ga[Formula: see text]FeN, the presence of embedded [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]N nanocrystals determines the magnetic properties of the system. Here, through a combination of anomalous X-ray diffraction and diffraction anomalous fine structure, the local structure of Ga in self-assembled face-centered cubic (fcc) [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text]N nanocrystals embedded in wurtzite GaN thin layers is investigated in order to shed light onto the correlation between fabrication parameters, local structural arrangement and overall magnetic properties of the material system. It is found, that by adjusting the growth parameters and thus, the crystallographic surroundings, the Ga atoms can be induced to incorporate into 3c positions at the faces of the fcc crystal lattice, reaching a maximum occupancy of 30%. The magnetic response of the embedded nanocrystals is ferromagnetic with Curie temperature increasing from 450 to 500 K with the Ga occupation. These results demonstrate the outstanding potential of the employed experimental protocol for unravelling the local structure of magnetic multi-phase systems, even when embedded in a matrix containing the same element under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Navarro-Quezada
- Institute of Semiconductor and Solid-State Physics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Katarzyna Gas
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Spindlberger
- Institute of Semiconductor and Solid-State Physics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
| | - Fahim Karimi
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Saint Aubin, BP48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Maciej Sawicki
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aleja Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gianluca Ciatto
- Synchrotron SOLEIL, L’Orme des Merisiers, Saint Aubin, BP48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Alberta Bonanni
- Institute of Semiconductor and Solid-State Physics, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenberger Str. 69, 4040 Linz, Austria
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