2 research outputs found
Is There a Lower Size Limit for Superconductivity?
The ultimate lower size limit for
superconducting order to exist
is set by the “Anderson criterion”arising from
quantum confinementthat appears to be remarkably accurate
and universal. We show that carefully grown, phase-pure, nanocrystalline <i>bcc</i>-Ta remains superconducting (with ordering temperature, <i>T</i><sub>C</sub> ≈ 0.9 K) down to sizes 40% below the
conventional estimate of the Anderson limit of 4.0 nm. Further, both
the <i>T</i><sub>C</sub> and the critical magnetic field
exhibit an unusual, nonmonotonic size dependence, which we explain
in terms of a complex interplay of quantum size effects, surface phonon
softening, and lattice expansion. A quantitative estimation of <i>T</i><sub>C</sub> within first-principles density functional
theory shows that even a moderate lattice expansion allows superconductivity
in Ta to persist down to sizes much lower than the conventional Anderson
limit, which can be traced to anomalous softening of a phonon due
to its coupling with electrons. This appears to indicate the possibility
of bypassing the Anderson criterion by suitable crystal engineering
and obtaining superconductivity at arbitrarily small sizes, an obviously
exciting prospect for futuristic quantum technologies. We take a critical
look at how the lattice expansion modifies the Anderson limit, an
issue of fundamental interest to the study of nanoscale superconductivity
Effect of Mo-Incorporation in the TiO<sub>2</sub> Lattice: A Mechanistic Basis for Photocatalytic Dye Degradation
Photocatalytic activity of TiO<sub>2</sub> (anatase) is appreciably enhanced by substitutional doping
of Mo in anatase lattice, in conjunction with the incorporation of
nanostructured MoO<sub>3</sub> within the parent anatase lattice.
The photocatalyst material was characterized in detail using X-ray
diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance (DR-UV–Vis
spectroscopy), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron microscopy.
Photocatalysis experiments were conducted using a model rhodamine-B
(Rh–B) dye reaction using both UV and visible irradiation sources.
The observed trends in the case of visible irradiative source can
be summarized as follows: Mo-1 < Mo-2 < Mo-5 ≫ Mo-10.
Attempts were made to isolate the structural factors that control
photochemical behavior of these Mo–TiO<sub>2</sub> photocatalysts
and to correlate photocatalytic activity with different structural
aspects like oxidation state, band gap, surface species, etc. Mechanistic
insights were acquired from ex situ <sup>1</sup>H NMR studies showing
different intermediates and different probable routes for the Rh–B
dye degradation with UV and visible radiations. The stable intermediates
were formed by a direct oxidative fragmentation route, without any
evidence of the initial deethylation route. The intermediates found
were benzoic acid, different amines, diols, and certain acids (mostly
formic and acetic acid). The adsorption of the Rh–B dye on
the catalytic surface via the N-charge centers of the Rh–B
was also observed