Engineering a Spin-Orbit Bandgap in Graphene-Tellurium Heterostructures

Intensive research has focused on harnessing the potential of graphene for electronic, optoelectronic, and spintronic devices by generating a bandgap at the Dirac point and enhancing the spin-orbit interaction in the graphene layer. Proximity to heavy p elements is a promising approach; however, their interaction in graphene heterostructures has not been as intensively studied as that of ferromagnetic, noble, or heavy d metals, neither as interlayers nor as substrates. In this study, the effective intercalation of Te atoms in a graphene on Ir(111) heterostructure is achieved. Combining techniques such as low energy electron diffraction and scanning tunneling microscopy, the structural evolution of the system as a function of the Te coverage is elucidated, uncovering up to two distinct phases. The presented angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy analysis reveals the emergence of a bandgap of about 240 meV in the Dirac cone at room temperature, which preserves its characteristic linear dispersion. Furthermore, a pronounced n-doping effect induced by Te in the heterostructure is also observed, and remarkably the possibility of tuning the Dirac point energy towards the Fermi level by reducing the Te coverage while maintaining the open bandgap is demonstrated. Spin-resolved measurements unveil a non-planar chiral spin texture with significant splitting values for both in-plane and out-of-plane spin components. These experimental findings are consistent with the development of a quantum spin Hall phase, where a Te-enhanced intrinsic spin orbit coupling in graphene surpasses the Rashba one and promotes the opening of the spin-orbit bandgap.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figure

A multi-technique approach to understanding delithiation damage in LiCoO thin films

We report on the delithiation of LiCoO2 thin films using oxalic acid (C2H2O4) with the goal of understanding the structural degradation of an insertion oxide associated with Li chemical extraction. Using a multi-technique approach that includes synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, micro Raman spectroscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy and conductive atomic force microscopy we reveal the balance between selective Li extraction and structural damage. We identify three different delithiation regimes, related to surface processes, bulk delithiation and damage generation. We find that only a fraction of the grains is affected by the delithiation process, which may create local inhomogeneities. However, the bulk delithiation regime is effective to delithiate the LCO film. All experimental evidence collected indicates that the delithiation process in this regime mimics the behavior of LCO upon electrochemical delithiation. We discard the formation of Co oxalate during the chemical extraction process. In conclusion, the chemical route to Li extraction provides additional opportunities to investigate delithiation while avoiding the complications associated with electrolyte breakdown and simplifying in-situ measurement

Optimizing both catalyst preparation and catalytic behaviour for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane of Ni-Sn-O catalysts

[EN] Bulk Ni-Sn-O catalysts have been synthesized, tested in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane and characterized by several physicochemical techniques. The catalysts have been prepared by evaporation of the corresponding salts using several additives in the synthesis gel, i.e. ammonium hydroxide, nitric acid, glyoxylic acid or oxalic acid, in the synthesis gel. The catalysts were finally calcined at 500 degrees C in air. Important changes in the catalytic behaviour have been observed depending on the additive. In fact, an important improvement in the catalytic performance is observed especially when some additives, such as glyoxylic or oxalic acid, are used. Thus the productivity to ethylene multiplies by 6 compared to the reference Ni-Sn-O catalyst if appropriate templates are used, and this is the result of an improvement in both the catalytic activity and the selectivity to ethylene. This improved performance has been explained in terms of the decrease of the crystallite size (and the increase in the surface area of catalyst) as well as the modification of the lattice parameter of nickel oxide.The authors would like to acknowledge the DGICYT in Spain (CTQ2015-68951-C3-1-R and CTQ2012-37925-C03-2) for financial support. We also thank the University of Valencia and SCSIE-UV for assistanceSolsona Espriu, BE.; López Nieto, JM.; Agouram, S.; Soriano Rodríguez, MD.; Dejoz, A.; Vázquez, MI.; Concepción Heydorn, P. (2016). Optimizing both catalyst preparation and catalytic behaviour for the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane of Ni-Sn-O catalysts. Topics in Catalysis. 59(17-18):1564-1572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11244-016-0674-zS156415725917-18Heracleous E, Lee AF, Wilson K, Lemonidou AA (2005) J Catal 231:159–171Heracleous E, Lemonidou AA (2006) J Catal 237:162–174Savova B, Loridant S, Filkova D, Millet JMM (2010) Appl Catal A 390:148–157Heracleous E, Lemonidou AA (2010) J Catal 270:67–75Solsona B, Nieto JML, Concepcion P, Dejoz A, Ivars F, Vazquez MI (2011) J Catal 280:28–39Skoufa Z, Heracleous E, Lemonidou AA (2012) Catal Today 192:169–176Zhu H, Ould-Chikh S, Anjum DH, Sun M, Biausque G, Basset JM, Caps V (2012) J Catal 285:292–303Skoufa Z, Heracleous E, Lemonidou AA (2012) Chem Eng Sci 84:48–56Zhu H, Rosenfeld DC, Anjum DH, Caps V, Basset JM (2015) ChemSusChem 8:1254–1263Heracleous E, Lemonidou AA (2015) J Catal 322:118–129Solsona B, Concepcion P, Demicol B, Hernandez S, Delgado JJ, Calvino JJ, Nieto JML (2012) J Catal 295:104–114Nieto JML, Solsona B, Grasselli RK, Concepción P (2014) Top Catal 57:1248–1255Popescu I, Skoufa Z, Heracleous E, Lemonidou AA, Marcu IC (2015) PCCP 17:8138–8147Zhang X, Gong Y, Yu G, Xie Y (2002) J Mol Catal A 180:293–298Popescu I, Skoufa Z, Heracleous E, Lemonidou A, Marcu I-C (2015) Phys Chem Chem Phys 17:8138–8147Nakamura KI, Miyake T, Konishi T, Suzuki T (2006) J Mol Catal A 260:144–151Solsona B, Dejoz AM, Vazquez MI, Ivars F, Nieto JML (2009) Top Catal 52:751–757Bortolozzi JP, Gutierrez LB, Ulla MA (2013) Appl Catal A 452:179–188Takeguchi T, Furukawa S, Inoue M (2001) J Catal 202:14–24Richardson JT, Turk B, Twigg MV (1996) Appl Catal 148:97–112Biju V, Khadar MA (2002) J Nanopart Res 4:247–253Van Veenendaal MA, Sawatzky GA (1993) Phys Rev Lett 70:2459–2462Vedrine JC, Hollinger G, Duc TM (1978) J Phys Chem 82:1515–1520Salagre P, Fierro JLG, Medina F, Sueiras JE (1996) J Mol Catal A 106:125–13

Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence of Eu:La2O3 nanoparticles synthesized by several methods

Abstract : Europium-doped La2O3 nanocrystalline powders with sizes ranging from 4 nm to 300 nm have been obtained by the modified Pechini, hydrothermal with conventional furnace, hydrothermal with microwave furnace, and precipitation with ultrasonic bath methods. X-ray diffraction techniques were used to study the evolution of the prepared gels towards the desired crystalline phase. We determined the size and the morphology of the nanoparticles by electronic microscopy. Finally, we studied and analyzed the luminescence properties of the trivalent europium in the hexagonal La2O3 nanocrystals by photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence

Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide in Several Aged Hydrotalcites and Calcined Hydrotalcites: Influence of Microwave Irradiation during the Ageing Step on Their Basic Properties

Several Ni/Mg/Al hydrotalcites were aged by autoclaving under microwave irradiation, refluxing under microwave irradiation and by traditional refluxing methods. The hydrotalcite aged by autoclaving under microwave irradiation at a higher temperature (453 K) and for a longer time (120 min) exhibited a higher surface area and a higher basicity than the hydrotalcites aged by refluxing under microwave irradiation or by traditional refluxing. This can be explained by the generation of surface-defective sites accompanied by a loss of aluminium due to the effect of microwave irradiation. However, after calcination, high-area mixed oxides obtained from hydrotalcites aged by refluxing under microwave irradiation exhibited a higher basicity per square metre than those obtained from hydrotalcites aged under more drastic conditions. For the hydrotalcites aged under microwave irradiation, this may be related to the surface characteristics of the amorphous alumina generated during calcination. The sample with the lowest amount of alumina was that obtained from the hydrotalcite which had been aged at a higher temperature and for a longer time

Raw glycerol re-valuing through etherification with isobutylene: process design and techno-economical assessment

This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility to produce tert-butyl ethers of glycerol in Colombiausing glycerol obtained from biodiesel production. The major drawback of this process is related to thehigh costs associated to the isobutylene reagent used for this reaction. Three possible scenarios, usingisobutylene: glycerol molar ratios of 2:1 and 4:1, have been evaluated by simulation and technoeconomicalassessment using pure isobutylene, C4 fraction and a mixture of C4 and isobutylene as well asa refining stage for crude glycerol. The desired product, a mixture of di- and tri- ethers of glycerol (h-GTBE) was obtained in high amounts for the three scenarios (92–99 wt.%) and a direct relation betweenproduction cost and raw material cost was established. The prices for h-GTBE were higher than theproposed selling prices; however, the formation of byproduct (C4 fraction) can make the processcompetitive. h-GTBE production did not have a competitive price for any scenario at high isobutylene:glycerol molar ratio. The production price was lowered by around 20% for all scenarios when crudeglycerol was considered. Finally, competitive price of h-GTBE (0.96 $/kg) and NPV positive was obtainedusing a mixture of C4 and isobutylene and crude glycerol