Pub Date : 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113569
Tarik El hafi , Soufiane Assouli , Abdelaziz EL kharraz , Omar Bajjou , Youssef Lachtioui
The coupled influence of hydrostatic pressure and cooling rate on the structural, kinetic, and mechanical behavior of monatomic silver metallic glass was investigated using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Increasing pressure induces pronounced atomic densification, reduces free volume, and enhances short-range order through the stabilization of close-packed motifs, whereas rapid quenching traps excess free volume and structural disorder. The glass transition temperature increases from 410 K to 512 K, while the activation enthalpy rises from 128 to 798 kJ·mol−1 as pressure increases from 0 to 40 GPa, indicating a substantial enhancement of kinetic constraints. Correspondingly, the fragility index evolves from approximately 10 at ambient pressure to nearly 27 at 40 GPa, marking a transition from a strong to a more fragile glass former. Uniaxial tensile simulations reveal that compression increases the elastic modulus by up to 28 % and significantly raises the yield stress, leading to higher stiffness but reduced ductility, whereas rapid quenching promotes heterogeneous plastic flow characterized by localized shear-band formation. Atomic-scale analyses confirm that structural compaction suppresses the nucleation of shear transformation zones and limits local rejuvenation. These findings establish quantitative correlations among atomic topology, dynamic fragility, and mechanical response, demonstrating how thermodynamic and kinetic parameters jointly dictate the vitrification pathway and mechanical performance of metallic glasses.
{"title":"Atomistic insights into coupled thermodynamic–kinetic effects on the structural evolution, fragility, and mechanical response of silver metallic glass","authors":"Tarik El hafi , Soufiane Assouli , Abdelaziz EL kharraz , Omar Bajjou , Youssef Lachtioui","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113569","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113569","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The coupled influence of hydrostatic pressure and cooling rate on the structural, kinetic, and mechanical behavior of monatomic silver metallic glass was investigated using large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Increasing pressure induces pronounced atomic densification, reduces free volume, and enhances short-range order through the stabilization of close-packed motifs, whereas rapid quenching traps excess free volume and structural disorder. The glass transition temperature increases from 410 K to 512 K, while the activation enthalpy rises from 128 to 798 kJ·mol<sup>−1</sup> as pressure increases from 0 to 40 GPa, indicating a substantial enhancement of kinetic constraints. Correspondingly, the fragility index evolves from approximately 10 at ambient pressure to nearly 27 at 40 GPa, marking a transition from a strong to a more fragile glass former. Uniaxial tensile simulations reveal that compression increases the elastic modulus by up to 28 % and significantly raises the yield stress, leading to higher stiffness but reduced ductility, whereas rapid quenching promotes heterogeneous plastic flow characterized by localized shear-band formation. Atomic-scale analyses confirm that structural compaction suppresses the nucleation of shear transformation zones and limits local rejuvenation. These findings establish quantitative correlations among atomic topology, dynamic fragility, and mechanical response, demonstrating how thermodynamic and kinetic parameters jointly dictate the vitrification pathway and mechanical performance of metallic glasses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113569"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113564
Hui Yong , Wanming Lin , Ning Wang , Wengang Bu , Liang Liu , Linhai Tian , Jifan Hu , Yanghuan Zhang
In this experiment, the microscopic structure tests of the samples were carried out using material characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Pressure composition-isotherm measurements were performed to evaluate the hydrogen storage performance of the samples. The sample with different Ni(CO)4 contents were prepared. Notably, the activation energy for dehydrogenation of pure magnesium is 126 kJ/mol, while that of the Mg96NiLa3 + 5 wt% C/Pr2O3 + 1 wt% Ni(CO)4 sample is 80.1 kJ/mol and that of the Mg96NiLa3 + 5 wt% C/Pr2O3 + 9 wt% Ni(CO)4 sample is 61.6 kJ/mol. Compared with pure magnesium, the sample's dehydrogenation rate was significantly improved. This is attributed to the ultrafine structure and the "surface film" of Ni(CO)4, which endow Ni(CO)4 with a superior catalytic effect during the alloy's hydrogen absorption/desorption process, reducing the reaction threshold. For the Mg96NiLa3 + 5 wt% C/Pr2O3 + 9 wt% Ni(CO)4 alloy, the enthalpy change of dehydrogenation was 67.4 kJ/mol, indicating that the improvement of the thermodynamic properties corresponding to Ni(CO)4 is also meaningful.
{"title":"The catalytic effect of Ni(CO)4 on the microstructure, dynamics and thermodynamics on Mg-based hydrogen storage materials containing C/Pr2O3 catalytic material","authors":"Hui Yong , Wanming Lin , Ning Wang , Wengang Bu , Liang Liu , Linhai Tian , Jifan Hu , Yanghuan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113564","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113564","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this experiment, the microscopic structure tests of the samples were carried out using material characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Pressure composition-isotherm measurements were performed to evaluate the hydrogen storage performance of the samples. The sample with different Ni(CO)<sub>4</sub> contents were prepared. Notably, the activation energy for dehydrogenation of pure magnesium is 126 kJ/mol, while that of the Mg<sub>96</sub>NiLa<sub>3</sub> + 5 wt% C/Pr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> + 1 wt% Ni(CO)<sub>4</sub> sample is 80.1 kJ/mol and that of the Mg<sub>96</sub>NiLa<sub>3</sub> + 5 wt% C/Pr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> + 9 wt% Ni(CO)<sub>4</sub> sample is 61.6 kJ/mol. Compared with pure magnesium, the sample's dehydrogenation rate was significantly improved. This is attributed to the ultrafine structure and the \"surface film\" of Ni(CO)<sub>4</sub>, which endow Ni(CO)<sub>4</sub> with a superior catalytic effect during the alloy's hydrogen absorption/desorption process, reducing the reaction threshold. For the Mg<sub>96</sub>NiLa<sub>3</sub> + 5 wt% C/Pr<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> + 9 wt% Ni(CO)<sub>4</sub> alloy, the enthalpy change of dehydrogenation was 67.4 kJ/mol, indicating that the improvement of the thermodynamic properties corresponding to Ni(CO)<sub>4</sub> is also meaningful.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113564"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-28DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113566
Marcel Hirrle , Richard Röß-Ohlenroth , Stephan Reschke , Björn Bredenkötter , Hans-Albrecht Krug von Nidda , Dirk Volkmer
The control of Jahn-Teller distortions in copper-based coordination polymers is crucial for tuning their magnetic and structural properties. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of two novel Cu(II)-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), Cu(mta)2 and Cu(cta)2, derived from modified triazole ligands. By introducing steric bulk through methyl and cyclopentyl substituents, we systematically investigate the effect of lattice enlargement on local coordination environments and magnetic behaviour.
Single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that Cu(mta)2 exhibits static Jahn-Teller distortions similar to those observed in Cu(ta)2, whereas Cu(cta)2 crystallizes in an undistorted, near-ideal cubic structure. Magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance measurements show strong antiferromagnetic interactions and temperature-dependent g-factor anisotropy for Cu(ta)2 and Cu(mta)2, while Cu(cta)2 displays nearly isotropic magnetic behavior and only dynamically JT distortions without a cooperative phase transition.
These results demonstrate that steric ligand design offers a powerful strategy to modulate the interplay between lattice structure and magnetic anisotropy. Our findings provide fundamental insights into the suppression of cooperative static Jahn-Teller distortions and open pathways for the targeted design of multifunctional MOFs with tailored structural and magnetic properties.
{"title":"Tuning of Jahn-Teller distortions via sterically enforced lattice enlargement of Cu(ta)2-type coordination polymers","authors":"Marcel Hirrle , Richard Röß-Ohlenroth , Stephan Reschke , Björn Bredenkötter , Hans-Albrecht Krug von Nidda , Dirk Volkmer","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The control of Jahn-Teller distortions in copper-based coordination polymers is crucial for tuning their magnetic and structural properties. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of two novel Cu(II)-based metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), Cu(mta)<sub>2</sub> and Cu(cta)<sub>2</sub>, derived from modified triazole ligands. By introducing steric bulk through methyl and cyclopentyl substituents, we systematically investigate the effect of lattice enlargement on local coordination environments and magnetic behaviour.</div><div>Single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that Cu(mta)<sub>2</sub> exhibits static Jahn-Teller distortions similar to those observed in Cu(ta)<sub>2</sub>, whereas Cu(cta)<sub>2</sub> crystallizes in an undistorted, near-ideal cubic structure. Magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance measurements show strong antiferromagnetic interactions and temperature-dependent g-factor anisotropy for Cu(ta)<sub>2</sub> and Cu(mta)<sub>2</sub>, while Cu(cta)<sub>2</sub> displays nearly isotropic magnetic behavior and only dynamically JT distortions without a cooperative phase transition.</div><div>These results demonstrate that steric ligand design offers a powerful strategy to modulate the interplay between lattice structure and magnetic anisotropy. Our findings provide fundamental insights into the suppression of cooperative static Jahn-Teller distortions and open pathways for the targeted design of multifunctional MOFs with tailored structural and magnetic properties.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113566"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113561
Haonan Du , Zhiwei Zhang , Tongkun Liu , Hongmei Xie , Jin Cheng , Lei Wang , Lei Qin
Reactive flash sintering (FS) method was adopted to realize the ultrafast synthesis of phase-pure Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 compound at room temperature within 10 s, featuring micro-nano composite microstructure. The fabrication of highly dense Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 polycrystalline materials with uniform composition was achieved by combining with spark plasma sintering (SPS). The reactive FS method, which is based on high electric field, has been shown to greatly improve the carrier concentration of materials. The effects of sintering temperature on their composition, microstructure and anisotropic transport properties were investigated. The carrier concentrations increase and then decrease with the increase of sintering temperature, reaching a maximum at 400 °C. Along the in-plane direction, the sample sintered at 480 °C exhibits optimal electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity due to moderate carrier concentration and significantly enhanced mobility, resulting in substantially improved power factor and ZT value. Thermoelectric (TE) module using the n-type Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 legs cut along the direction perpendicular to the pressing direction and home-made p-type Bi0.5Sb1.5Te3 legs achieves 7.72 mW output power and ∼2.8 % conversion efficiency at ΔT = 120 K, with 77 % and 75 % improvements over parallel-direction legs. As a time-saving and cost-effective route, FS-SPS approach demonstrates great potential for Bi2Te3-based TE materials in low-grade heat harvesting.
{"title":"Reactive flash sintering-spark plasma sintering route for high-performance Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 thermoelectric materials in low-grade heat harvesting","authors":"Haonan Du , Zhiwei Zhang , Tongkun Liu , Hongmei Xie , Jin Cheng , Lei Wang , Lei Qin","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113561","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113561","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reactive flash sintering (FS) method was adopted to realize the ultrafast synthesis of phase-pure Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>2.7</sub>Se<sub>0.3</sub> compound at room temperature within 10 s, featuring micro-nano composite microstructure. The fabrication of highly dense Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>2.7</sub>Se<sub>0.3</sub> polycrystalline materials with uniform composition was achieved by combining with spark plasma sintering (SPS). The reactive FS method, which is based on high electric field, has been shown to greatly improve the carrier concentration of materials. The effects of sintering temperature on their composition, microstructure and anisotropic transport properties were investigated. The carrier concentrations increase and then decrease with the increase of sintering temperature, reaching a maximum at 400 °C. Along the in-plane direction, the sample sintered at 480 °C exhibits optimal electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity due to moderate carrier concentration and significantly enhanced mobility, resulting in substantially improved power factor and <em>ZT</em> value. Thermoelectric (TE) module using the n-type Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>2.7</sub>Se<sub>0.3</sub> legs cut along the direction perpendicular to the pressing direction and home-made p-type Bi<sub>0.5</sub>Sb<sub>1.5</sub>Te<sub>3</sub> legs achieves 7.72 mW output power and ∼2.8 % conversion efficiency at Δ<em>T</em> = 120 K, with 77 % and 75 % improvements over parallel-direction legs. As a time-saving and cost-effective route, FS-SPS approach demonstrates great potential for Bi<sub>2</sub>Te<sub>3</sub>-based TE materials in low-grade heat harvesting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113561"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113559
Abdul Whab, Shahin Parveen, Nidhi Bhatt, Pumlianmunga
Phase change memory (PCM) materials are a promising candidate for non-volatile memory and neuromorphic applications due to their switching properties between amorphous and crystalline states. In the present investigation, we have studied 1-x ( 2)x(x 0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21) films. A single-step transition is observed in the resistance versus temperature measurement. After the incorporation of 2, the crystallization temperature increased from 179 °C to 319 °C (x 0.21), the ten-year data retention temperature and the activation energy were raised from 102 °C to 3213 °C, and 2.48 eV to 3.08 eV(x 0.21), respectively. The threshold current ( th) was reduced from 0.94 mA to 0.44 mA, which will reduce power consumption. All of the films crystallized with a rhombohedral structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the presence of Ge-S bonds, which localizes the charge carrier and increases the optical band gap ( g) from 0.62 eV(GeTe) to 0.84 eV (x 0.21). For data storage and high temperature PCM applications, 1-x ( 2)x(x 0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21) is a promising candidate due to its high thermal stability, widening band gap, high resistance contrast, and improved data retention temperature.
{"title":"Enhancement of phase change memory properties of GeTe films through GeS 2 incorporation","authors":"Abdul Whab, Shahin Parveen, Nidhi Bhatt, Pumlianmunga","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113559","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113559","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Phase change memory (PCM) materials are a promising candidate for non-volatile memory and neuromorphic applications due to their switching properties between amorphous and crystalline states. In the present investigation, we have studied <span><math><mi>(GeTe)</mi></math></span> <sub>1-x</sub> (<span><math><mi>GeS</mi></math></span> <sub>2</sub>)<sub>x</sub>(x <span><math><mo>=</mo></math></span> 0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21) films. A single-step transition is observed in the resistance versus temperature measurement. After the incorporation of <span><math><mi>GeS</mi></math></span> <sub>2</sub>, the crystallization temperature increased from 179 °C to 319 °C (x <span><math><mo>=</mo></math></span> 0.21), the ten-year data retention temperature and the activation energy were raised from 102 °C to 3213 °C, and 2.48 eV to 3.08 eV(x <span><math><mo>=</mo></math></span> 0.21), respectively. The threshold current (<span><math><mi>I</mi></math></span> <sub>th</sub>) was reduced from 0.94 mA to 0.44 mA, which will reduce power consumption. All of the films crystallized with a rhombohedral structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirms the presence of Ge-S bonds, which localizes the charge carrier and increases the optical band gap (<span><math><mi>E</mi></math></span> <sub>g</sub>) from 0.62 eV(GeTe) to 0.84 eV (x <span><math><mo>=</mo></math></span> 0.21). For data storage and high temperature PCM applications, <span><math><mi>(GeTe)</mi></math></span> <sub>1-x</sub> (<span><math><mi>GeS</mi></math></span> <sub>2</sub>)<sub>x</sub>(x <span><math><mo>=</mo></math></span> 0, 0.07, 0.14, 0.21) is a promising candidate due to its high thermal stability, widening band gap, high resistance contrast, and improved data retention temperature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"213 ","pages":"Article 113559"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146116401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113555
S. Prathap , S. Sumithanandhi , S. Pari , S. Muthupandi , M. Victor Antony Raj , Kasinathan Kaviyarasu , P. Joselene Suzan Jennifer
This study presents the fabrication and analysis of a novel hybrid electrode material comprising cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) integrated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using a glycol-assisted solvothermal methodology. Developing high-performance supercapacitor electrodes with superior energy and power densities remains a major challenge in renewable energy storage. In this work, a glycol-assisted solvothermal strategy was employed to synthesize CoFe2O4@rGO nanocomposites, where diethylene glycol acts as a solvent and capping agent to ensure uniform nanoparticle dispersion and controlled growth. The integration of CoFe2O4 nanocrystals with rGO forms a hierarchical mesoporous network that enhances electron transport and ion diffusion. Structural and surface analyses confirm the successful formation of the spinel CoFe2O4 phase uniformly anchored on rGO with a high surface area of 436 m2g−1 and an average crystallite size of 11.4nm. Electrochemical characterisation demonstrates excellent pseudocapacitive behaviour with a specific capacitance of 713.82 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and 93.19 % capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. The enhanced performance arises from the synergistic combination of CoFe2O4's redox activity and rGO's conductivity and structural flexibility, which collectively promote efficient charge transfer and mechanical stability. This facile, scalable synthesis route provides a promising pathway for designing next-generation ferrite–carbon hybrid electrodes for high-energy supercapacitor applications. These findings demonstrate that CoFe2O4@rGO represents a viable electrode material for advanced supercapacitor applications, offering a practical pathway toward developing adaptable and eco-friendly energy storage systems.
本研究介绍了一种新型杂化电极材料的制备和分析,该材料由钴铁氧体(CoFe2O4)与还原氧化石墨烯(rGO)集成,采用乙醇辅助溶剂热方法。开发具有优异能量和功率密度的高性能超级电容器电极仍然是可再生能源存储的主要挑战。在这项工作中,采用乙二醇辅助溶剂热策略合成CoFe2O4@rGO纳米复合材料,其中二甘醇作为溶剂和封盖剂,以确保纳米颗粒均匀分散和控制生长。CoFe2O4纳米晶体与氧化石墨烯的集成形成了一个分层的介孔网络,增强了电子传递和离子扩散。结构和表面分析证实,在还原氧化石墨烯上成功形成了均匀锚定的尖晶石CoFe2O4相,其高表面积为436 m2 g−1,平均晶粒尺寸为11.4 nm。电化学表征显示了优异的赝电容行为,在1 a g−1时比电容为713.82 F g−1,在5000次循环后电容保持率为93.19%。CoFe2O4的氧化还原活性与还原氧化石墨烯的电导率和结构柔韧性协同作用,共同促进了高效的电荷转移和机械稳定性。这种简单、可扩展的合成路线为设计用于高能超级电容器的下一代铁氧体-碳混合电极提供了一条有前途的途径。这些发现表明,CoFe2O4@rGO代表了先进超级电容器应用的可行电极材料,为开发适应性强、环保的储能系统提供了切实可行的途径。
{"title":"Solvothermal synthesis of CoFe2O4@rGO nanocomposite for high-performance supercapacitor applications: Enhanced electrochemical properties through synergistic metal-carbon interactions","authors":"S. Prathap , S. Sumithanandhi , S. Pari , S. Muthupandi , M. Victor Antony Raj , Kasinathan Kaviyarasu , P. Joselene Suzan Jennifer","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113555","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113555","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study presents the fabrication and analysis of a novel hybrid electrode material comprising cobalt ferrite (CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>) integrated with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using a glycol-assisted solvothermal methodology. Developing high-performance supercapacitor electrodes with superior energy and power densities remains a major challenge in renewable energy storage. In this work, a <strong>glycol-assisted solvothermal strategy</strong> was employed to synthesize <strong>CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@rGO nanocomposites,</strong> where diethylene glycol acts as a solvent and capping agent to ensure uniform nanoparticle dispersion and controlled growth. The integration of CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanocrystals with rGO forms a <strong>hierarchical mesoporous network</strong> that enhances electron transport and ion diffusion. Structural and surface analyses confirm the successful formation of the spinel CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> phase uniformly anchored on rGO with a high surface area of <strong>436 m<sup>2</sup></strong> <strong>g<sup>−1</sup></strong> and an average crystallite size of <strong>11.4</strong> <strong>nm</strong>. Electrochemical characterisation demonstrates excellent pseudocapacitive behaviour with a <strong>specific capacitance of 713.82 F g<sup>−1</sup> at 1 A g<sup>−1</sup></strong> and <strong>93.19 % capacitance retention after 5000 cycles</strong>. The enhanced performance arises from the synergistic combination of CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>'s redox activity and rGO's conductivity and structural flexibility, which collectively promote efficient charge transfer and mechanical stability. This facile, scalable synthesis route provides a promising pathway for designing next-generation ferrite–carbon hybrid electrodes for <strong>high-energy supercapacitor applications</strong>. These findings demonstrate that CoFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@rGO represents a viable electrode material for advanced supercapacitor applications, offering a practical pathway toward developing adaptable and eco-friendly energy storage systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113555"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146170427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113558
Meizi Li , Yunhan Li , Changzhe Cui , Cuimei Zhao
The application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries in energy storage systems is hindered by challenges such as uncontrolled zinc dendrite growth and severe parasitic side reactions at the interface between zinc anodes and electrolytes. The incorporation of ethylene carbonate (EC) as an electrolyte additive was found to modulate the hydrogen-bonding network of the electrolyte, thereby reducing water activity and suppressing hydrogen evolution reaction-induced corrosion at the zinc anode. Furthermore, under a current density of 1 mA cm−2 with a capacity of 1 mAh cm−2, the Zn symmetric cell demonstrated stable cycling performance over 920 h. When evaluated in a full-cell configuration, the fabricated zinc-polyaniline battery exhibited excellent cyclability, maintaining stable operation for 2500 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1. This study elucidates key principles for underscoring the promising commercial viability of EC-based additives in developing high-efficiency and long-life aqueous zinc-ion battery systems.
{"title":"Modification of zinc metal batteries with ethylene carbonate as an electrolyte additive","authors":"Meizi Li , Yunhan Li , Changzhe Cui , Cuimei Zhao","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113558","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113558","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries in energy storage systems is hindered by challenges such as uncontrolled zinc dendrite growth and severe parasitic side reactions at the interface between zinc anodes and electrolytes. The incorporation of ethylene carbonate (EC) as an electrolyte additive was found to modulate the hydrogen-bonding network of the electrolyte, thereby reducing water activity and suppressing hydrogen evolution reaction-induced corrosion at the zinc anode. Furthermore, under a current density of 1 mA cm<sup>−2</sup> with a capacity of 1 mAh cm<sup>−2</sup>, the Zn symmetric cell demonstrated stable cycling performance over 920 h. When evaluated in a full-cell configuration, the fabricated zinc-polyaniline battery exhibited excellent cyclability, maintaining stable operation for 2500 cycles at a current density of 1 A g<sup>−1</sup>. This study elucidates key principles for underscoring the promising commercial viability of EC-based additives in developing high-efficiency and long-life aqueous zinc-ion battery systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113558"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113557
Sobhan M. Fathabad , Vladimir V. Shvartsman , Andrei N. Salak , Tongqing Yang , Doru C. Lupascu , J.D.S. Guerra , A. Peláiz-Barranco
The electrocaloric effect and energy-storage performance of the (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.92Ba0.08TiO3 (BNT–8BT) ceramic composition were explored from 250 to 450 K. Anomalous behavior was observed in both the recovered energy density (JR) as well as the adiabatic temperature change (ΔTIEC), obtained from the P–E dependence, which extend in a broad temperature range around the previously reported depolarization temperature (Td = 416 K) for this composition. Maximum values of 360 mJ/cm3 and 37 %, were obtained at 410 K for JR and η, respectively. A strong discrepancy between the values obtained from direct measurements (ΔTDEC) and indirect estimation (ΔTIEC) of the electrocaloric effect was observed, which originates from the irreversibility feature of the field-induced phase transition. ΔTDEC is positive in the entire studied temperature range and monotonously increases with the increasing electric field. However, ΔTIEC yields negative values for several temperatures, and changes non-monotonously with the applied field. Furthermore, a significant anomaly in the pyroelectric coefficient is observed around the depolarization temperature, showing a high pyroelectric coefficient value (p ≈ 0.01 μC/cm2⋅K) at room temperature. The obtained results confirm the multifunctional characteristic of the studied ceramic composition and reveal this material as an environmentally friendly lead-free candidate for using in strategic applications based on energy-storage and electrocaloric devices, where the physical properties can be tailored for the operating temperature range close to the depolarization temperature.
{"title":"Critical role of the depolarization temperature on the electrocaloric response and energy storage performance in the (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.92Ba0.08TiO3 ceramic system","authors":"Sobhan M. Fathabad , Vladimir V. Shvartsman , Andrei N. Salak , Tongqing Yang , Doru C. Lupascu , J.D.S. Guerra , A. Peláiz-Barranco","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113557","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113557","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The electrocaloric effect and energy-storage performance of the (Bi<sub>0.5</sub>Na<sub>0.5</sub>)<sub>0.92</sub>Ba<sub>0.08</sub>TiO<sub>3</sub> (BNT–8BT) ceramic composition were explored from 250 to 450 K. Anomalous behavior was observed in both the recovered energy density (<em>J</em><sub>R</sub>) as well as the adiabatic temperature change (Δ<em>T</em><sub>IEC</sub>), obtained from the <em>P</em>–<em>E</em> dependence, which extend in a broad temperature range around the previously reported depolarization temperature (<em>T</em><sub>d</sub> = 416 K) for this composition. Maximum values of 360 mJ/cm<sup>3</sup> and 37 %, were obtained at 410 K for <em>J</em><sub>R</sub> and <em>η</em>, respectively. A strong discrepancy between the values obtained from direct measurements (Δ<em>T</em><sub>DEC</sub>) and indirect estimation (Δ<em>T</em><sub>IEC</sub>) of the electrocaloric effect was observed, which originates from the irreversibility feature of the field-induced phase transition. Δ<em>T</em><sub>DEC</sub> is positive in the entire studied temperature range and monotonously increases with the increasing electric field. However, Δ<em>T</em><sub>IEC</sub> yields negative values for several temperatures, and changes non-monotonously with the applied field. Furthermore, a significant anomaly in the pyroelectric coefficient is observed around the depolarization temperature, showing a high pyroelectric coefficient value (<em>p</em> ≈ 0.01 μC/cm<sup>2</sup>⋅K) at room temperature. The obtained results confirm the multifunctional characteristic of the studied ceramic composition and reveal this material as an environmentally friendly lead-free candidate for using in strategic applications based on energy-storage and electrocaloric devices, where the physical properties can be tailored for the operating temperature range close to the depolarization temperature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113557"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113556
Abdelhamid Ait M’hid , Guojian Li , Mourad Boughrara , Mohamed Kerouad , Qiang Wang
This work presents a combined experimental and first-principles study on undoped and Ti-doped ZnO and ZnS thin films synthesized by magnetron sputtering. The aim is to investigate how Ti incorporation affects their structural, morphological, electronic, magnetic, and transport properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that all samples maintain the wurtzite crystal structure. The introduction of Ti leads to a slight lattice contraction, peak broadening, a decrease in crystallite size, and an increase in microstrain and dislocation density. Surface characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirms uniform Ti incorporation (about 2.5 at% for Ti–ZnO and 3.1 at% for Ti–ZnS). Ti doping also results in a reduction of surface roughness for both oxides and sulfides. Magnetic characterization indicates that the undoped films show weak ferromagnetic-like behavior, whereas Ti doping leads to a significant enhancement of the ferromagnetic response. The saturation magnetization increases to 12.31 emu cm−3 for Ti–ZnO and 6.40 emu cm−3 for Ti–ZnS, accompanied by higher remanence and coercivity. Electrical measurements using the van der Pauw and Hall techniques reveal that Ti acts as an electron donor in both ZnO and ZnS. Doped samples exhibit lower resistivity, higher carrier concentration, and increased mobility compared with the undoped films, with a more pronounced effect in Ti–ZnO. Spin-polarized DFT+ calculations support the experimental results. Ti substitution is thermodynamically more favorable in ZnS than in ZnO. The calculations show the formation of impurity states near the conduction band, Fermi level shifting, and pronounced spin polarization. Ti–ZnS exhibits nearly half-metallic behavior in the majority spin channels. These results demonstrate that Ti doping can effectively tune both the magnetic and electronic properties of ZnO and ZnS films, making them promising materials for electronic and spintronic device applications.
{"title":"Experimental and theoretical evidence of Ti-induced spin polarization and half-metallicity in wide-band-gap II–VI semiconductor thin films","authors":"Abdelhamid Ait M’hid , Guojian Li , Mourad Boughrara , Mohamed Kerouad , Qiang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113556","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113556","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This work presents a combined experimental and first-principles study on undoped and Ti-doped ZnO and ZnS thin films synthesized by magnetron sputtering. The aim is to investigate how Ti incorporation affects their structural, morphological, electronic, magnetic, and transport properties. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that all samples maintain the wurtzite crystal structure. The introduction of Ti leads to a slight lattice contraction, peak broadening, a decrease in crystallite size, and an increase in microstrain and dislocation density. Surface characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) confirms uniform Ti incorporation (about 2.5 at% for Ti–ZnO and 3.1 at% for Ti–ZnS). Ti doping also results in a reduction of surface roughness for both oxides and sulfides. Magnetic characterization indicates that the undoped films show weak ferromagnetic-like behavior, whereas Ti doping leads to a significant enhancement of the ferromagnetic response. The saturation magnetization increases to 12.31 emu cm<sup>−3</sup> for Ti–ZnO and 6.40 emu cm<sup>−3</sup> for Ti–ZnS, accompanied by higher remanence and coercivity. Electrical measurements using the van der Pauw and Hall techniques reveal that Ti acts as an electron donor in both ZnO and ZnS. Doped samples exhibit lower resistivity, higher carrier concentration, and increased mobility compared with the undoped films, with a more pronounced effect in Ti–ZnO. Spin-polarized DFT+<span><math><mi>U</mi></math></span> calculations support the experimental results. Ti substitution is thermodynamically more favorable in ZnS than in ZnO. The calculations show the formation of impurity states near the conduction band, Fermi level shifting, and pronounced spin polarization. Ti–ZnS exhibits nearly half-metallic behavior in the majority spin channels. These results demonstrate that Ti doping can effectively tune both the magnetic and electronic properties of ZnO and ZnS films, making them promising materials for electronic and spintronic device applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113556"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078257","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113551
Ou Sha , Yana Guo , Yuxiang Yang , Lin Zhang , Gang You , Jinglei Ma , Chuandong Wang , Wenjing Tang
With rod-shaped Ga2O3 as growth framework, flower-like Ga2O3@MoS2@C composite material has been successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method with subsequent annealing process. The synergetic effect between each component endowed the composite with excellent performance as anode for lithium-ion batteries. The electrode delivered the initial specific capacity of 1287.6 mAh g−1 at the current density of 0.1 A g−1. After 800 cycles at 0.5 A g−1, the specific capacity of 402.1 mAh g−1 can still be retained, revealing excellent cycling stability. This is mainly attributed to the specific nanosheet flower-like structure of MoS2@C, which effectively alleviate the volume expansion of Ga2O3 during cyclic process, and further promote the electron transfer and electrochemical reaction activity.
以棒状Ga2O3为生长骨架,采用水热法制备了花状Ga2O3@MoS2@C复合材料,并进行了后续退火处理。各组分之间的协同作用使该复合材料具有优异的锂离子电池负极性能。在0.1 A g−1电流密度下,电极的初始比容量为1287.6 mAh g−1。在0.5 A g−1下循环800次后,仍能保持402.1 mAh g−1的比容量,显示出优异的循环稳定性。这主要归功于MoS2@C特有的纳米片花状结构,有效缓解了Ga2O3在循环过程中的体积膨胀,进一步促进了电子转移和电化学反应活性。
{"title":"Rod-supported flower-like Ga2O3@MoS2@C as anode for lithium-ion batteries with excellent performance","authors":"Ou Sha , Yana Guo , Yuxiang Yang , Lin Zhang , Gang You , Jinglei Ma , Chuandong Wang , Wenjing Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113551","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jpcs.2026.113551","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>With rod-shaped Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> as growth framework, flower-like Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>@MoS<sub>2</sub>@C composite material has been successfully prepared by a hydrothermal method with subsequent annealing process. The synergetic effect between each component endowed the composite with excellent performance as anode for lithium-ion batteries. The electrode delivered the initial specific capacity of 1287.6 mAh g<sup>−1</sup> at the current density of 0.1 A g<sup>−1</sup>. After 800 cycles at 0.5 A g<sup>−1</sup>, the specific capacity of 402.1 mAh g<sup>−1</sup> can still be retained, revealing excellent cycling stability. This is mainly attributed to the specific nanosheet flower-like structure of MoS<sub>2</sub>@C, which effectively alleviate the volume expansion of Ga<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> during cyclic process, and further promote the electron transfer and electrochemical reaction activity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16811,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids","volume":"212 ","pages":"Article 113551"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2026-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146078258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}