Search

Fabrication of transition metal dichalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) is complex and requires submerging powders in binary solvents and constant tuning of wavelength and pulsed frequency of light to achieve a desired reaction. Instead of liquid state photoexfoliation, we utilize infrared laser irradiation of free-standing MoS2 flakes in transmission electron microscope (TEM) to achieve solid-state multi-level photoexfoliation of QDs. By investigating the steps involved in photochemical reaction between the surface of MoS2 and the laser beam, we gain insight into each step of the photoexfoliation mechanism and observe high yield production of QDs, led by an inhomogeneous crystalline size distribution. Additionally, by using a laser with a lower energy than the indirect optical transition of bulk MoS2, we conclude that the underlying phenomena behind the photoexfoliation is from multi-photon absorption achieved at high optical outputs from the laser source. These findings provide an environmentally friendly synthesis method to fabricate QDs for potential applications in biomedicine, optoelectronics, and fluorescence sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of radiation-induced defects in Ni and the single-phase concentrated solid solution alloy, NiCoCr, were investigated during in situ 2.8 MeV Au ion irradiation and post-irradiation analysis using transmission electron microscopy. Compared to Ni, both the size and area density of defect clusters decreased in NiCoCr under the same irradiation conditions, suggesting that the chemical complexity, i.e., randomness of lattice site occupations, of NiCoCr suppressed radiation-induced damage. One-dimensional glide of defect clusters was observed in Ni but not in the NiCoCr alloy. The structural nature of small defect clusters in NiCoCr were further investigated using high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy. • Smaller and fewer defects were generated in more chemically-complicated alloys. • One-dimensional gild of defect clusters was observed in Ni but not in NiCoCr. • Both vacancy-type and interstitial-type defect clusters were identified in NiCoCr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiation induced segregation in austenitic Fe-Ni-Cr stainless steels is a key detrimental microstructural modification experienced in the current generation of light water reactors. In particular, Cr depletion at grain boundaries can be a significant factor in irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking. Therefore, having a complete knowledge and mechanistic understanding of radiation induced segregation at high dose and after a long thermal history is desired for continued sustainability of existing reactors. Here, we examine a 12% cold worked AISI 316 stainless steel hexagonal duct exposed in the lower dose, outer blanket region of the EBR-II reactor, by using advanced characterization and analysis techniques including atom probe tomography and analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy. Contrary to existing literature, we observe an oscillatory w-shape Cr and M-shape Ni concentration profile at 31 dpa. The presence and characterization through advanced atom probe tomography analysis of the w-shape Cr RIS profile is discussed in the context of the localized GB plane interfacial excess of the other major and minor alloying elements. The key finding of a co-segregation phenomena coupling Cr, Mo, and C is discussed in the context of the existing solute segregation literature under irradiation with emphasis on improved spatial and chemical resolution of atom probe tomography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocrystalline materials have been proposed as superior radiation tolerant materials in comparison to coarse grain counterparts. However, there is still a limited understanding whether a particular nanocrystalline grain size is required to obtain significant improvements in key deleterious effects resulting from energetic irradiation. This work employs the use of in-situ heavy ion irradiation transmission electron microscopy experiments coupled with quantitative defect characterization and precession electron diffraction to explore the sensitivity of defect size and density within the nanocrystalline regime in platinum. Under the explored experimental conditions, no significant change in either the defect size or density between grain sizes of 20 and 100 nm was observed. Furthermore, the in-situ transmission electron microscopy irradiations illustrate stable sessile defect clusters of 1–3 nm adjacent to most grain boundaries, which are traditionally treated as strong defect sinks. The stability of these sessile defects observed in-situ in small, 20–40 nm, grains is the proposed primary mechanism for a lack of defect density trends. This scaling breakdown in radiation improvement with decreasing grain size has practical importance on nanoscale grain boundary engineering approaches for proposed radiation tolerant alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Under REDD+, the enhancement of carbon stocks through reforestation and restoration of degraded forest landscapes offers considerable potential benefits. In the Asia–Pacific region, however, many previous reforestation and forest restoration initiatives have exacerbated existing inequities by concentrating resources among powerful political and economic actors, often to the detriment of forest-dependent communities. Both in design and implementation, tree-planting programs have been guided by forest rent distribution practices of state forestry bureaucracies and by corporate accumulation strategies linked to increasingly globalized commodity chains. This article examines the political economy of reforestation and forest restoration programs in Asia–Pacific and highlights governance challenges these pose. In various contexts, they have: [•] consolidated the control of state agencies and corporate actors over ‘degraded’ forest landscapes, often resulting in the displacement of rural communities; [•] exacerbated economic disparities by channeling large capital subsidies and resource rents to companies with close ties to state elites; [•] facilitated corruption and financial fraud, in some cases on a grand scale; [•] accelerated biodiversity loss by creating perverse incentives for the conversion of ‘degraded’ secondary forests; and [•] generated mixed results for rural small-holders, at times locking them in inequitable agreements with plantation companies, and in other cases, offering enhanced tenure security. To avoid the negative results of earlier reforestation schemes, REDD+ must incorporate: (1) rights-based spatial planning; (2) equitable and accountable distribution of financial incentives; (3) improved financial governance to prevent corruption and fraud; (4) policy reform to remove perverse incentives for forest conversion; (5) strengthening of economic benefits and safeguards for small-holders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of nanopillar compression tests were performed on tungsten as a function of temperature using in situ transmission electron microscopy with localized laser heating. Surface oxidation was observed to form on the pillars and grow in thickness with increasing temperature. Deformation between 850 °C and 1120 °C is facilitated by long-range diffusional transport from the tungsten pillar onto adjacent regions of the Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 indenter. The constraint imposed by the surface oxidation is hypothesized to underly this mechanism for localized plasticity, which is generally the so-called whisker growth mechanism. The results are discussed in context of the tungsten fuzz growth mechanism in He plasma-facing environments. The two processes exhibit similar morphological features and the conditions under which fuzz evolves appear to satisfy the conditions necessary to induce whisker growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need to understand materials exposed to overlapping extreme environments such as high temperature, radiation, or mechanical stress. When these stressors are combined there may be synergistic effects that enable unique microstructural evolution mechanisms to activate. Understanding of these mechanisms is necessary for the input and refinement of predictive models and critical for engineering of next generation materials. The basic physics and underlying mechanisms require advanced tools to be investigated. The in situ ion irradiation transmission electron microscope (I³TEM) is designed to explore these principles. To quantitatively probe the complex dynamic interactions in materials, careful preparation of samples and consideration of experimental design is required. Particular handling or preparation of samples can easily introduce damage or features that obfuscate the measurements. There is no one correct way to prepare a sample; however, many mistakes can be made. The most common errors and things to consider are highlighted within. The I³TEM has many adjustable variables and a large potential experimental space, therefore it is best to design experiments with a specific scientific question or questions in mind. Experiments have been performed on large number of sample geometries, material classes, and with many irradiation conditions. The following are a subset of examples that demonstrate unique in situ capabilities utilizing the I 3 TEM. Au nanoparticles prepared by drop casting have been used to investigate the effects of single ion strikes. Au thin films have been used in studies on the effects of multibeam irradiation on microstructure evolution. Zr films have been exposed to irradiation and mechanical tension to examine creep. Ag nanopillars were subjected to simultaneous high temperature, mechanical compression, and ion irradiation to study irradiation induced creep as well. These results impact fields including: structural materials, nuclear energy, energy storage, catalysis, and microelectronics in space environments.

Metals subjected to irradiation environments undergo microstructural evolution and concomitant degradation, yet the nanoscale mechanisms for such evolution remain elusive. Here, we combine in situ heavy ion irradiation, atomic resolution microscopy, and atomistic simulation to elucidate how radiation damage and interfacial defects interplay to control grain boundary (GB) motion. While classical notions of boundary evolution under irradiation rest on simple ideas of curvature-driven motion, the reality is far more complex. Focusing on an ion-irradiated Pt Σ3 GB, we show how this boundary evolves by the motion of 120° facet junctions separating nanoscale {112} facets. Our analysis considers the short- and mid-range ion interactions, which roughen the facets and induce local motion, and longer-range interactions associated with interfacial disconnections, which accommodate the intergranular misorientation. We suggest how climb of these disconnections could drive coordinated facet junction motion. These findings emphasize that both local and longer-range, collective interactions are important to understanding irradiation-induced interfacial evolution.

Fabrication of transition metal dichalcogenide quantum dots (QDs) is complex and requires submerging powders in binary solvents and constant tuning of wavelength and pulsed frequency of light to achieve a desired reaction. Instead of liquid state photoexfoliation, we utilize infrared laser irradiation of free-standing MoS 2 flakes in transmission electron microscope (TEM) to achieve solid-state multi-level photoexfoliation of QDs. By investigating the steps involved in photochemical reaction between the surface of MoS 2 and the laser beam, we gain insight into each step of the photoexfoliation mechanism and observe high yield production of QDs, led by an inhomogeneous crystalline size distribution. Additionally, by using a laser with a lower energy than the indirect optical transition of bulk MoS 2 , we conclude that the underlying phenomena behind the photoexfoliation is from multi-photon absorption achieved at high optical outputs from the laser source. These findings provide an environmentally friendly synthesis method to fabricate QDs for potential applications in biomedicine, optoelectronics, and fluorescence sensing., (© 2021 IOP Publishing Ltd.)