Tratamiento de depósitos electroforéticos de YBa2Cu3O7 sobre substratos policristalinos mediante fusión zonal por láser

[EN] Obtaining coatings on metallic substrates of irregular geometries is not easy by traditional methods. In those cases electrochemical methods show important advantages and have been used successfully. To date only silver has shown to be inert with respect to superconducting cuprates, although progress has been made in the development of intermediate buffer layers. However, in the particular case of YBa2Cu3O7 , annealing above the cuprate superconducting melting point to attempt densification or texturing is hard on silver because of the lower melting point of the metal. . Focalized heating of superconducting oxides over metallic substrates, using LASER techniques on controlled geometries, allows densification of coatings. The Laser processed sample may be amorphous but the crystallinity is easily recovered, as well as the optimal oxygen content for the oxide, but the preferential orientation induced by the electrophoretic deposition is lost upon the recrystallization process occurring over polycrystaline substrates.[ES] La realización de depósitos de óxidos superconductores sobre substratos metálicos de geometría compleja y en general policristalinos está prácticamente basada en métodos electroforéticos o electroquímicos que permiten la utilización de un campo eléctrico de geometría definida para inducir el movimiento de partículas de óxido o de precursores de éste, hacia el electrodo elegido. Dichos métodos son fundamentales cuando el substrato es metálico o puede hacerse metálico con facilidad. Hasta el presente tan sólo la plata ha mostrado ser lo suficientemente inerte para permitir recocidos posteriores, aunque se está progresando en el desarrollo de capas “buffer”. Sin embargo, cuando el óxido depositado es YBa2Cu3O7 , el proceso de recocido posterior no permite la obtención de textura sobre Ag mediante métodos térmicos dado el inferior punto de fusión de este metal. El presente trabajo presenta un estudio de fusión zonal por láser que permite recocer el óxido sin fundir el substrato metálico de plata. El control de las distintas variables permite llegar a una solución en la que se puede preservar la naturaleza superconductora del depósito y su densificación. Ello requiere un tratamiento térmico posterior que recupera la cristalinidad y el contenido óptimo de oxígeno. Sin embargo, el tratamiento disminuye la orientación preferencial de las partículas de YBa2Cu3O7 que se obtiene mediante la deposición electroforética.The authors want to thank the Spanish Ministery of Culture (former Science and Education) for financing through grants CICYT MAT96-1057-c02-01, PB98-0491 and graduate fellowships, and REE for the contract CSIC-REE on 1997- 1998.Peer reviewe

Induced Dipoles and Possible Modulation of Wireless Effects in Implanted Electrodes. Effects of Implanting Insulated Electrodes on an Animal Test to Screen Antidepressant Activity

There is evidence that Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) produces health benefits in patients even before initiating stimulation. Furthermore, DBS electrode insertion in rat infralimbic cortex (ILC) provokes antidepressant-like effects before stimulation, due to local inflammation and astrogliosis. Consequently, a significant effect of implanting electrodes is suspected. External fields, similar in magnitude to the brain's endogenous fields, induce electric dipoles in conducting materials, in turn influencing neural cell growth through wireless effects. To elucidate if such dipoles influence depressive-like behavior, without external stimulation, the comparative effect of conducting and insulated electrodes along with the glial response is studied in unstressed rats. Naive and implanted rats with electrically insulated or uninsulated steel electrodes were evaluated in the modified forced swimming test and expression of ILC-glial markers was assessed. An antidepressant-like effect was observed with conducting but not with insulated electrodes. Gliosis was detected in both groups, but astroglial reactivity was larger near uninsulated electrodes. Thus, induced dipoles and antidepressant-like effects were only observed with conducting implants. Such correlation suggests that dipoles induced in electrodes by endogenous fields in turn induce neuron stimulation in a feedback loop between electrodes and neural system. Further research of the effects of unwired conducting implants could open new approaches to regulating neuronal function, and possibly treat neurological disorders.This study was also supported by grants co-financed by the "Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional" (FEDER)-UE "A way to build Europe" from the "Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad" (MINECO: RTI2018-099778-B-I00 (to E.B.), RTI2018-098269-B-I00 (to J.N.) and RTI2018-097753-B-I00 (to N.C.P.) and "Juan de la Cierva Formacion" postdoctoral grant FJC2018-037958-I (to L.P.C.)) and PID2019-108562GB-I00 (to V.T.M); the "Consejeria de Economia, Innovacion, Ciencia y Empleo de la Junta de Andalucia" (CTS-510, to E.B.); the Severo Ochoa Program CEX2019-000917-S (to N.C.P.) and the "Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Salud Mental-CIBERSAM" (CB/07/09/0033 and CB/07/09/0006

Observation of magnetic order in the double-layer system La2MCu2O6+δ (M=Ca,Sr)

Under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 3.0 (CC-BY).-- et al.Measurements of the spin rotation and depolarization of implanted positive muons have revealed that La2SrCu2O6+δ, La2CaCu2O6+δ, and La1.9Y0.1CaCu2O6+δ, members of the double-layer perovskite family La2MCu2O6+δ (M=Ca,Sr), display magnetic ordering similar to that of La2−xSrxCuO4−y and YBa2Cu3Ox Their magnetic order parameters are remarkably close to those of the other layered cuprates. A superconducting minority phase has been detected in La2CaCu2O6+δ (δ≥0.02), with onset at ∼45 K and accompanied by a change in the muon-spin-precession signals from the majority antiferromagnetic phase, phenomena absent in La2SrCu2O6+δ. This behavior was attributed to mobility and local clustering of intercalated oxygen excess in the layer between the CuO2 planes.This work was supported by NSERC (Canada), DOE Grant No. DE-FG05-88ER45353, the CICYT and the MIDAS project (Spain), and the CEE.Peer Reviewe

Wireless magneto-ionics: voltage control of magnetism by bipolar electrochemistry

Modulation of magnetic properties through voltage-driven ion motion and redox processes, i.e., magneto-ionics, is a unique approach to control magnetism with electric field for low-power memory and spintronic applications. So far, magneto-ionics has been achieved through direct electrical connections to the actuated material. Here we evidence that an alternative way to reach such control exists in a wireless manner. Induced polarization in the conducting material immersed in the electrolyte, without direct wire contact, promotes wireless bipolar electrochemistry, an alternative pathway to achieve voltage-driven control of magnetism based on the same electrochemical processes involved in direct-contact magneto-ionics. A significant tunability of magnetization is accomplished for cobalt nitride thin films, including transitions between paramagnetic and ferromagnetic states. Such effects can be either volatile or non-volatile depending on the electrochemical cell configuration. These results represent a fundamental breakthrough that may inspire future device designs for applications in bioelectronics, catalysis, neuromorphic computing, or wireless communications.Comment: 32 pages, 4 figures, Supplementary Information (9 figures

Regulating oxygen ion transport at the nanoscale to enable highly cyclable magneto-ionic control of magnetism

Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UABMagneto-ionics refers to the control of magnetic properties of materials through voltage-driven ion motion. To generate effective electric fields, either solid or liquid electrolytes are utilized, which also serve as ion reservoirs. Thin solid electrolytes have difficulties to (i) withstand high electric fields without electric pinholes and (ii) maintain stable ion transport during long-term actuation. In turn, the use of liquid electrolytes can result in poor cyclability, thus limiting their applicability. Here we propose a nanoscale-engineered magneto-ionic architecture (comprising a thin solid electrolyte in contact with a liquid electrolyte), that drastically enhances cyclability while preserving sufficiently high electric fields to trigger ion motion. Specifically, we show that the insertion of a highly nanostructured (amorphous-like) Ta layer (with suitable thickness and electric resistivity) between a magneto-ionic target material (i.e., Co3O4) and the liquid electrolyte, increases magneto-ionic cyclability from < 30 cycles (when no Ta is inserted) to more than 800 cycles. Transmission electron microscopy together with variable energy positron annihilation spectroscopy reveal the crucial role of the generated TaOx interlayer as a solid-electrolyte (i.e., ionic conductor) that improves magneto-ionic endurance by proper tuning of the types of voltage-driven structural defects. The Ta layer is very effective in trapping oxygen and hindering O2- ions from moving into the liquid electrolyte, thus keeping O2- motion mainly restricted between Co3O4 and Ta when voltage of alternating polarity is applied. We demonstrate that this approach provides a suitable strategy to boost magneto-ionics by combining the benefits of solid and liquid electrolytes in a synergetic manner

Regulating Oxygen Ion Transport at the Nanoscale to Enable Highly Cyclable Magneto-Ionic Control of Magnetism

Magneto-ionics refers to the control of magnetic properties of materials through voltage-driven ion motion. To generate effective electric fields, either solid or liquid electrolytes are utilized, which also serve as ion reservoirs. Thin solid electrolytes have difficulties in (i) withstanding high electric fields without electric pinholes and (ii) maintaining stable ion transport during long-term actuation. In turn, the use of liquid electrolytes can result in poor cyclability, thus limiting their applicability. Here we propose a nanoscale-engineered magneto-ionic architecture (comprising a thin solid electrolyte in contact with a liquid electrolyte) that drastically enhances cyclability while preserving sufficiently high electric fields to trigger ion motion. Specifically, we show that the insertion of a highly nanostructured (amorphous-like) Ta layer (with suitable thickness and electric resistivity) between a magneto-ionic target material (i.e., Co3O4) and the liquid electrolyte increases magneto-ionic cyclability from <30 cycles (when no Ta is inserted) to more than 800 cycles. Transmission electron microscopy together with variable energy positron annihilation spectroscopy reveals the crucial role of the generated TaOx interlayer as a solid electrolyte (i.e., ionic conductor) that improves magneto-ionic endurance by proper tuning of the types of voltage-driven structural defects. The Ta layer is very effective in trapping oxygen and hindering O2- ions from moving into the liquid electrolyte, thus keeping O2- motion mainly restricted between Co3O4 and Ta when voltage of alternating polarity is applied. We demonstrate that this approach provides a suitable strategy to boost magneto-ionics by combining the benefits of solid and liquid electrolytes in a synergetic manner.Financial support by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (“BeMAGIC” European Training Network, ETN/ITN Marie Skłodowska–Curie Grant No. 861145), the European Research Council (2021-ERC-Advanced “REMINDS” Grant No. 101054687), the Spanish Government (CEX2019-000917-S y PID2021-123276OB-I00, PID2020-116844RB-C21, and PDC2021-121276-C31), and the Generalitat de Catalunya (2021-SGR-00651) is acknowledged. J.S. thanks the Spanish “Fábrica Nacional de Moneda y Timbre” (FNMT) for fruitful discussions. E.M. is a Serra Húnter Fellow. Parts of this research were carried out at ELBE at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf e. V., a member of the Helmholtz Association. We would like to thank the facility staff for assistance. This work was partially supported by the Impulse-und Net-working fund of the Helmholtz Association (FKZ VH-VI-442 Memriox) and the Helmholtz Energy Materials Characterization Platform (03ET7015).With funding from the Spanish government through the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000917-S).Peer reviewe

Baterías de Litio. La alternativa al plomo y al cadmio

Además de la necesidad de mejoras técnicas en las baterías actuales, los usuarios deben saber que los elementos que las componen son altamente contaminantes, especialmente el plomo y el cadmio, y que en el caso de este último, los procesos de reciclado no están bien establecidos. Sin embargo, la demanda del mercado de baterías recargables es previsible que siga creciendo tanto a corto como a medio plazo. Así, la búsqueda de baterías más ligeras y de mayor densidad de energía para el mercado de la electrónica de consumo es ya una necesidad urgente (¿a quién le gustaría comprar un equipo electrónico en el que la batería ocupara la mayor parte del espacio?).Peer reviewe

Nanocarbon-Iridium Oxide Nanostructured Hybrids as Large Charge Capacity Electrostimulation Electrodes for Neural Repair

Nanostructuring nanocarbons with IrOx yields to material coatings with large charge capacities for neural electrostimulation, and large reproducibility in time, that carbons do not exhibit. This work shows the contributions of carbon and the different nanostructures present, as well as the impact of functionalizing graphene with oxygen and nitrogen, and the effects of including conducting polymers within the hybrid materials. Different mammalian neural growth models differentiate the roles of the substrate material in absence and in presence of applied electric fields and address optimal electrodes for the future clinical applications

Polyoxometalates: from inorganic chemistry to materials science

Polyoxometalates have been traditionally the subject of study of molecular inorganic chemistry. Yet, these polynuclear molecules, reminiscent of oxide clusters, present a wide range of structures and with them ideal frameworks for the deployment of a plethora of useful magnetic, electroionic, catalytic, bioactive and photochemical properties. With this in mind, a new trend towards the application of these remarkable species in materials science is beginning to develop. In this review we analyze this trend and discuss two main lines of thought for the application of polyoxometalates as materials. On the one hand, there is their use as clusters with inherently useful properties on themselves, a line which has produced fundamental studies of their magnetic, electronic or photoelectrochemical properties and has shown these clusters as models for quantum-sized oxides. On the other hand, the encapsulation or integration of polyoxometalates into organic, polymeric or inorganic matrices or substrates opens a whole new field within the area of hybrid materials for harnessing the multifunctional properties of these versatile species in a wide variety of applications, ranging from catalysis to energy storage to biomedicine.The authors would like to acknowledge partial financial support from the Ministry of Science and Technology (Spain) (Grants MAT2001-1709-C04-01, MAT2002-04529-C03) and express his deepest gratitude for the total dedication of their Ph.D. Dedicated to Prof. Louis C.W. Baker (1921-2003), inspiring scientist and cherished friend studentsPeer reviewe

Photoredox Chemistry in Oxide Clusters. Photochromic and Redox Properties of Polyoxometalates in Connection with Analog Solid State Colloidal Systems

Data on the electrochemical and photoredox chemistry of polyoxometalates of formula H4[SiW12O40] and H3[PMo12O40] are reported and analyzed in relation to those of related extended solids (WO3 and colloidal WO3 particles). These soluble multinuclear anions show reversible single-electron and multielectron reduction processes to yield blue mixed valent species. Similar reduced species can be obtained photochemically, with a concomitant oxidation of organic substrates. The reported photochromic behavior is similar to that of colloidal WO3 particles. On the other hand, electrochemical potentials differ substantially from the flat band potential of WO3 colloids. Finally, the title compounds are more stable and present the added advantage of having well-characterized monodisperse and controllable structures and tunable electrochemical propertiesWe thank the DGICYT (PB93-0122) (Spain) for financial support.Peer reviewe