Analysis of three-dimensional proximity effect in electron-beam lithography

In most of the proximity effect correction schemes, a two-dimensional model of proximity effect is employed by ignoring or averaging the variation of exposure along the depth dimension in the resist. However, as the feature size continues to decrease, the relative variation becomes significant so that it may need to be taken into account in proximity effect correction. In this study, the three-dimensional (3-D) proximity effect is analyzed in detail through computer simulation as a first step toward developing a 3-D proximity effect correction scheme. Effects of the parameters such as beam energy, resist thickness, feature size, developing threshold, etc., on the 3-D spatial distribution of exposure in the resist, in particular, depth-dependent proximity effect, are considered in the analysis. Results from the extensive simulation are presented in this paper.     

Construction of two-dimensional supramolecular structure containing water tetramer and octamer

The complex [Cd₂(phen)₄(p-phth)(H₂O)₂](p-phth) · 10H₂O (1) has been synthesized by the reaction Cd(NO₃)₂ with phen and p-phth (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, p-phth = p-phthalic acid) in a solution of ethanol and distilled water. The crystal structure was characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and infrared spectrum. In 1, a novel 2D supramolecular structure was formed, containing water octamer and tetramer.     

Corrosion kinetics and patina evolution of galvanized steel in a simulated coastal-industrial atmosphere

The corrosion kinetics and patina (corrosion products) layer evolution of galvanized steel submitted to wet/dry cyclic corrosion test in a simulated coastal-industrial atmosphere was investigated. The results show that zinc coating has a greater corrosion rate during the initial period and a lower corrosion rate during the subsequent period, and the patina composition and structure can greatly affect the corrosion kinetics evolution of zinc coating. Moreover, Zn₅(OH)₆(CO₃)₂ and Zn₄(OH)₆SO₄ are identified as the main stable composition and exhibit an increasing relative amount; while Zn₁₂(OH)₁₅Cl₃(SO₄)₃ cannot stably exist and diminish in the patina layer as the corrosion develops.     

Low-valence ion addition induced more compact passive films on nickel-copper nano-coatings

Ni-Cu nano-coatings were prepared by pulsed electroplating technique in the baths containing various amount of boric acid. Their microstructure, morphologies and corrosion resistance were characterized in detail. The addition of boric acid strongly influences on the microstructure of the Ni-Cu coatings. The coating with a grain size of 130 nm, obtained from the bath containing 35 g L⁻¹ boric acid, shows the highest corrosion resistance. This is attributed to the low-valence Cu ion (Cu⁺) additions in nickel oxide, which could significantly decrease the oxygen ion vacancy density in the passive film to form a more compact passive film. The higher Cu⁺ additions and the lower diffusivity of point defects (D₀) are responsible for the formation of more compact passive film on the coating obtained from the bath with 35 g L⁻¹ boric acid.     

Self-assembled silver nanoprisms monolayers at the liquid/liquid interface

A crown ether derivative (4′-aminobenzo-15-crown-5 hydrotetrafluoroborate) can mediate the self-assembly of silver nanoprisms at the liquid/liquid interface in the form of a stable hybrid nanocomposite film. The metallic luster of the interfacial film results from the electronic coupling of Ag nanoprisms, suggesting the formation of closely packed nanoprism thin films. The interfacial film of nanoprisms could be transferred to solid substrates as a Langmuir–Blodgett film. The properties of films were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy.     

Interstitial effects of B addition on the metamagnetic transition and magnetocaloric effect in tetragonal Cu2Sb-type Mn1.95Cu0.05Sb alloys

Mn_1.95Cu_0.05SbB_x (x = 0, 0.06 and 0.1) alloys had been prepared and B interstitial effects on metamagnetic transition were studied. The metamagnetic transition temperature was reduced and thermal hysteresis was widened by higher B concentration. The saturation magnetization and the magnetic entropy change were increased by moderate amount of B addition. However, too high B composition led into the sluggish metamagnetic transition. By relating with crystallographic structure, our results further indicated that the electron density of the atoms at MnⅡ position plays critical role on influencing the metamagnetic transition in tetragonal Cu₂Sb-type Mn_1.95Cu_0.05Sb alloys.     

Spin-polarized transport properties of Fe-oligoporphyrin dimer-based molecular device

By applying the density functional theory and the nonequilibrium Green’s function formalism, we investigate the spin-polarized transport properties of a Fe-oligoporphyrin dimer (Fe-P2TA) sandwiched between two armchair single-walled carbon nanotube electrodes. The results show that the system can present high-efficiency magnetoresistance, spin-filtering, and low-bias negative differential resistance effects with the help of magnetic field modulation. The above results are explained by the evolution of the spin-polarized transmission spectra and the molecular projected self-consistent Hamiltonian eigenstates with applied bias. Therefore, the system provides the possibilities for a multifunctional molecular spintronic device design.     

Facile fabrication of a binary NiCo phosphide with hierarchical architecture for efficient hydrogen evolution reactions

Exploring and designing efficient non-noble catalysts formed by element doping and nanostructure modification for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of critical importance with respect to sustainable resources. Herein, we have prepared a three-dimensional binary NiCo phosphide with hierarchical architecture (HA) composed of NiCoP nanosheets and nanowires grown on carbon cloth (CC) via a facile hydrothermal method followed by oxidation and phosphorization. Due to its unique hierarchical nanostructure, the NiCoP HA/CC electrocatalyst exhibits excellent performance and good working stability for the HER in both acidic and alkaline conditions. The obtained NiCoP HA/CC shows excellent HER activity with a low potential of 74 and 89 mV at 10 mA cm⁻², a small Tafel slope of 77.2 and 99.8 mV dec⁻¹ and long-term stability up to 24 h in acidic and alkaline electrolyte, respectively. NiCoP HA/CC, a non-noble metal material, is a promising electrocatalyst to replace noble metal-based electrocatalysts for the HER.     

A facile synthesis of nano-layer structured g-C3N4 with efficient organic degradation and hydrogen evolution using a MDN energetic material as the starting precursor

The construction of a high-performance g-C₃N₄ photocatalyst through a facile and green synthesis method remains a great challenge for H₂ production and organic pollutants degradation. In this work, we developed a nano-layer structured g-C₃N₄ (NL-CN) photocatalyst with a 230 m²/g surface area via the thermal polymerization method using melaminium dinitrate (MDN), which is one of the more energetic materials, as the precursor. The energy coming from the drastic decomposition of nitrate anions in MDN caused the thick layers of bulk CN to be exfoliated to produce many much-thinner nano-layers when at 500 °C for 2 h, which obviously elevated the surface area of the g-C₃N₄. The resultant NL-CN displays a superior visible-light H₂-generation and rhodamine B (RhB) photodegradation efficiency (λ > 420 nm) compared to those of bulk g-C₃N₄ (CN) prepared through heating melamine because of the nano-layered structures, which lead to higher specific surface areas, a rapid charge transfer efficiency and a higher redox potential. These results demonstrate that the utilization of MDN as a starting material provides a new opportunity for the facile and green synthesis of high-efficiency nanostructured g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts with lower energy consumption and environmental pollution levels.