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Rechargeable lithium batteries (LBs) are considered the most promising electrochemical energy storage systems for utilizing renewable energies like solar and wind, ushering society into an electric era. However, the development of LBs faces challenges due to interfacial issues caused by side reactions between existing electrode and electrolyte materials. Magnetron sputtering (MS), a type of physical vapor deposition technology, offers solutions with its wide material selection, gentle deposition process, high uniformity of nano/micro‐scale thin films, and strong thin‐film adhesion. This review outlines the main operating principles of MS technology and explores its advanced applications in interfacial modification of various cathodes, anodes, separators, solid‐state electrolytes, and thin‐film LBs integrated with other microelectronic devices. Furthermore, the review discusses the potential of MS technology to accelerate scientific research and industrial progress toward higher‐performance LBs, advancing human society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interface engineering is a promising strategy for controlling the Curie temperature (Tc) and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in magnetic 2D van der Waals (2D vdWs)‐based heterostructures. However, establishing high‐quality interface structures in magnetic 2D vdWs/metal stacks, crucial for maximizing interface effects, remains a significant challenge. Here, a Fe5‐xGeTe2/Pt (F5GT/Pt) prototype with a superior interface quality is achieved using a low‐power physical vapor deposition technique. The magnetic properties of the F5GT/Pt heterostructures are strongly influenced by employing the specific physical deposition method. Stable ferromagnetism at 400 K is observed when depositing Pt atoms with relatively high energy, despite the Tc of pristine F5GT being below 300 K. This unexpected high‐temperature ferromagnetism is attributed to the formation of a ferromagnetic alloy at the interface, commonly present in vdWs‐based stacks fabricated through physical deposition but often overlooked. The deposit of Pt atoms with ultralow energy leads to the formation of a unique Fe5‐xGeTe2/Fe3‐xGeTe2 heterojunction at the interface, significantly enhancing the PMA. This work emphasizes the importance of interface structures in vdWs‐based devices, suggesting that controlling the growth process offers an effective approach to construct and engineer vdWs heterostructures, thus improving the performance and introducing new functionalities to spintronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molybdenum Trioxide (MoO3) is a promising candidate as an anode material for lithium‐ion batteries (LIB), with a theoretical capacity of 1 117 mAhg−1. Nevertheless, MoO3 has inherent lower electronic conductivity and suffers from significant volume expansion during the charge–discharge cycle, which hinders its ability to attain a substantial capacity and cyclability for practical applications. In this study, a novel material design strategy is reported for LIB anodes containing MoO3 and hard carbon (HC) architecture fabricated using a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technique. MoO3/HC as anode materials are evaluated for LIBs, which demonstrate an exceptional performance with a capacity of 953 mAhg−1 at a discharging rate of 0.2 C. Additionally, MoO3/HC anode demonstrated exceptional rate capability during fast charging at 5 C and achieved a capacity of 342 mAhg−1. The MoO3/HC anode demonstrates remarkable cycle life, retaining over > 99% Coulombic efficiency after 3 000 cycles at a rate of 0.2 C. The exceptional performance of MoO3/HC anode can be attributed to the novel material design strategy based on a multi‐layered structure where HC provides a barrier against the possible volumetric expansion of LIB anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bis(8‐hydroxyquinolates) Zinc (Znq2) can be used as a light‐emitting layer material in OLED devices to achieve its efficient electroluminescence effect. In this paper, Znq2 powder has been successfully synthesized and modified by the physical vapor deposition (PVD) method. Precursors and nano‐materials are characterized by XRD, SEM, PL, and so on. The performance of the modified material has been significantly improved. The emission intensity and absorption intensity in the deposited products increased with the increase in PVD temperature. At 453 K, luminous properties such as luminous intensity reach the optimal value including its fluorescence lifetime. Fluorescence lifetime values vary from 13 to 17 ns with the increase in temperature. The luminescence mechanism is also discussed. The energy gap and absorption spectrum of HOM‐LUMO are calculated by the DFT/UB3LYP method. The experimental values agree well with the theoretical values. The nanomaterial crystals modified by PVD technology are more orderly, impurities are reduced, and the luminous stability of the material is improved, which may be one of the reasons for the relatively slow decline in product life. The research combined with theoretical simulation is expected to be helpful to the research and promotion of such materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corrosion behavior of the TiN monolayer and CrN/TiN multilayer coatings deposited via cathodic arc evaporation physical vapor deposition (CAE‐PVD) on the Ti–6Al–4V substrates were evaluated in Ringer's and Hank's physiological saline electrolytes. XRD (x‐ray diffractometry) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis were used to characterize the coatings. The corrosion behavior of coatings was assessed by impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The results showed that the corrosion resistance of coatings was increased in the order of TiN‐Ringer's < TiN‐Hank's < CrN/TiN‐Ringer's < CrN/TiN‐Hank's. Therefore, it can be concluded that the CrN/TiN coating, due to having a large number of interfaces and a smoother surface with fewer macroparticles and pinholes, is more efficient in raising the corrosion resistance properties of titanium than TiN monolayer coating. Moreover, it was observed that Ringer's solution is a more severe environment than Hank's solution. Both coatings, because of the precipitation of a protective corrosion products layer on their surface, showed an enhancement in corrosion resistance with increasing the immersion time from 1 to 14 days in Hank's. The results suggest TiN monolayer and CrN/TiN multilayer coatings as promising candidates for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) exhibit outstanding mechanical strength, chemical stability, and electrical characteristics; however, their constrained mechanical elasticity and chemical responsiveness spurred research on atomic decoration techniques for enhancing their mechanochemical attributes. Nevertheless, achieving uniform atomic decoration on the VACNT surface is difficult because of the high density and large aspect ratio of VACNT. Herein, a strategy to design and apply nanopatterned VACNTs (nVACNTs) based on a nanotransfer printing process is proposed to improve atomic penetrability. Nanopatterns inherent to nVACNTs facilitate atomic penetration, allowing for the more consistent and higher quality deposition of functional materials such as zinc oxide and alumina by atomic layer deposition. Furthermore, physical vapor deposition provides an improved coating of metal catalysts such as gold. The uniform deposition of ceramic layers on the entire surface of nVACNTs strengthens its mechanical resilience, owing to the diminished van der Waals forces of CNTs. Surface‐decorated nVACNTs display an increased sensitivity to NO2 gas, which is attributed to the enhanced quality of the reactive catalyst deposition and augmented permeability. This strategy achieves a larger decorated area while increasing a catalytically active reaction area. The obtained results promise that the enhanced nVACNTs will expand the industrial applications of carbon nanotubes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted widespread attention due to their low cost and high efficiency. So far, a variety of single‐junction PSCs have been successfully developed and considered for commercialization, including normal PSCs (N‐PSCs), inverted PSCs (I‐PSCs), and carbon‐based PSCs (C‐PSCs) without hole transporter. Herein, the material cost, equipment depreciation cost, and energy consumption of these three types of PSCs (1 m2) in detail are analyzed. As indicated, the total fabrication cost of the N‐PSCs ($86.49) and I‐PSCs ($81.31) is very close, but is significantly reduced to $41.16 for the C‐PSCs (49%–52% reduction) because carbon electrode is much cheaper than noble metal electrode and organic hole transporter. Besides, only a low‐cost slot‐die coating process with low energy consumption is needed for the deposition of carbon electrode, while the expensive physical vapor deposition and reactive plasma deposition processes with high energy consumption are needed for the deposition of the noble metal electrode and organic hole transporter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic coatings have the potential to contribute to the purification of water via an advanced oxidation process (AOP). A commonly used method for analyzing the mechanism of the photocatalytic performance of a given reactor type is to document the degradation behavior in a solution containing methylene blue. However, since methylene blue is rather unstable, the degradation results should be viewed critically. In this work, the degradation behavior of a test solution with methylene blue on quartz glass surfaces coated with photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) of the anatase modification was investigated through a variety of different light sources. The coating was deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) with the reactive pulsed DC magnetron sputtering ion plating (MSIP) method described in the study by Desch and Lake, while the quartz glasses were coated with a 100 nm thick TiO2 coating on the outside. The same glasses were used for all experiments with TiO2. In the determination of the degradation rate, additional experiments were performed using pure quartz glass without any coating, which made it possible to examine the influence of different light sources on the degradation rate of methylene blue in general. Three different light sources, namely UV‐A, UV‐C, and simple fluorescent lamps were used in this study. The concentration of methylene blue was recorded by photo spectrometer in 10‐min increments throughout the experiment and the experiments were performed for 24 h in all cases. Our data indicates that the methylene blue test is a poor method because the degradation rate is not clearly differentiable due to the low stability of the test substance. Without including reference testing in the absence of a catalyst, data may be subject to misinterpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have received much attention in the aerospace, transportation, automotive industry, and military equipment fields due to their unique chemical and physical properties, such as their low density and high specific strength, particularly as the lightest structural metal materials, with the opportunity to achieve the design of lighter engineering systems. With the continuous improvement of processing technology, the application scope of magnesium alloy is rapidly expanding, and market demand is increasing. However, because of its significant electronegativity (2.37 V) and loose naturally formed oxide coating, magnesium has low corrosion resistance in comparison to other structural metal elements, severely limiting its large‐scale use. This review summarizes several typical anticorrosion methods for magnesium alloys, including chemical conversion coating treatment, anodic oxide film treatment, micro‐arc oxidation treatment, laser surface treatment, ion implantation, physical vapor deposition, and superhydrophobic coating. In most cases, the corrosion resistance of magnesium and its alloys has improved, but it has a certain degree of environmental damage. It is hoped that this review will contribute to further developing magnesium alloy materials in the field of preservative coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D materials possess significant potential across various applications, with physical and chemical properties that can be effectively modulated by their thickness, enabling tailored optimization for specific uses. For instance, 2D monolayers are ideal for transparent and flexible electronics, while 2D multilayers are more suitable for solar cells and high‐speed devices. Although scalable methods for synthesizing large‐area 2D materials and their applications have been developed, most research has focused on monolayers, with comparatively limited efforts directed toward multilayers. This review provides an overview of the emerging field of 2D multilayers, revisiting the analysis of layer‐dependent properties to determine the optimal material thickness for various applications. It introduces representative techniques for synthesizing 2D multilayer films and presents applications where multilayer structures demonstrate superior performance compared to monolayers, particularly in electronics and optoelectronics. The review advocates for the development of synthesis and integration methods for 2D multilayers, calling for a shift in research focus toward these materials to enhance their technological impact and unlock new industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the surface characteristics of mild steel are modified using aluminum oxide (alumina) coating using the microwave‐assisted solution combustion synthesis (mSCS) and physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique. The deposited coatings are subjected to microstructural, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), micro‐hardness, surface roughness, high‐temperature oxidation, and wear tests. The XRD results confirmed the formation of α‐alumina coating on the mild steel surface. An average thickness of coatings is approximately 125 ± 5 µm in mSCS and around 1 ± .3 µm in PVD. The coating demonstrated good adherence and significantly improved surface hardness, wear resistance, and high‐temperature oxidation resistance. The surface hardness of coatings increased to 12.2 and 9.4 GPa from mSCS and PVD, respectively, while it is 1.57 GPa for the uncoated mild steel. The PVD‐coated alumina surface exhibited a smooth surface (Ra = .076 µm) compared to the mSCS coating (Ra = .344 µm). The specific wear rate of the alumina‐coated sample decreased to 2.5 times, and the high‐temperature oxidation rate decreased about 1.7 times at 500°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed‐dimensional van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) have aroused extensive attention owing to distinctive properties by integrating advantages of materials with different types and dimensionalities for high‐performance optoelectronic devices. Herein, 2D Yb‐doped monolayer WS2 (WS2(Yb)) nanosheets and 3D bulk Te microwires are first prepared using chemical and physical vapor deposition (CVD/PVD) techniques, respectively. 12.7 at% of Yb‐doping concentration in WS2(Yb) matrix is achieved. Te microwires are transferred onto WS2(Yb) triangles by microarea fixed‐point dry transfer technique to form 2D WS2(Yb)/3D Te p–p heterostructures with a clean interface. Both p‐type semiconductors are shown for WS2(Yb) monolayer and bulk Te by calculating their band structures based on density functional theory (DFT), which is consistent with the experimental results. The optoelectronic device based on the WS2(Yb)/Te mixed‐dimensional vdWHs is fabricated using Au/Cr as the electrodes. Further, the photodetector demonstrates outstanding optoelectronic performance, including 1.87 A W−1 of responsivity, 366.7% of external quantum efficiency, and 2.53 × 1011 Jones of specific detectivity under illumination of a 635 nm light. Here a remarkable strategy is provided for preparation of mixed‐dimensional optoelectronic devices with high performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface decoration of support structures by physical vapor deposition (PVD) of small molecular building blocks offers a versatile platform to realize functional supramolecular nanofibers in a controlled manner and with tailored properties. Here, details on the preparation of surface‐decorated polyamide fabrics by PVD using N1,N3,N5‐tris[2‐(diisopropylamino)‐ethyl]‐1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxamide (1) as a molecular building block are reported. It is shown that a defined morphology with uniform nanofiber length can be achieved, which is controlled by the PVD conditions. The functional periphery of supramolecular nanofibers of 1 allows the immobilization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This results in AuNP‐loaded nanostructures with a high surface area, which can be used as a heterogenous catalyst for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol in aqueous media. The surface‐decorated support structures with firmly deposited AuNPs also provide the opportunity to conveniently reuse these structures without compromising the catalytic performance. This approach provides fabrication strategies for the controlled surface decoration of macroscopic support structures with small molecular building blocks by PVD with the potential to realize functional robust supramolecular nanofibers for various catalytic or filtration applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous systems that combine synthesis, characterization, and artificial intelligence can greatly accelerate the discovery and optimization of materials, however platforms for growth of macroscale thin films by physical vapor deposition techniques have lagged far behind others. Here this study demonstrates autonomous synthesis by pulsed laser deposition (PLD), a highly versatile synthesis technique, in the growth of ultrathin WSe2 films. By combing the automation of PLD synthesis and in situ diagnostic feedback with a high‐throughput methodology, this study demonstrates a workflow and platform which uses Gaussian process regression and Bayesian optimization to autonomously identify growth regimes for WSe2 films based on Raman spectral criteria by efficiently sampling 0.25% of the chosen 4D parameter space. With throughputs at least 10x faster than traditional PLD workflows, this platform and workflow enables the accelerated discovery and autonomous optimization of the vast number of materials that can be synthesized by PLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of high‐performance structural thin films consistently seeks to achieve a delicate equilibrium by balancing outstanding mechanical properties like yield strength, ductility, and substrate adhesion, which are often mutually exclusive. Metallic glasses (MGs) with their amorphous structure have superior strength, but usually poor ductility with catastrophic failure induced by shear bands (SBs) formation. Herein, we introduce an innovative approach by synthesizing MGs characterized by large and tunable mechanical properties, pioneering a nanoengineering design based on the control of nanoscale chemical/structural heterogeneities. This is realized through a simplified model Zr24Cu76/Zr61Cu39, fully amorphous nanocomposite with controlled nanoscale periodicity (Λ, from 400 down to 5 nm), local chemistry, and glass–glass interfaces, while focusing in‐depth on the SB nucleation/propagation processes. The nanolaminates enable a fine control of the mechanical properties, and an onset of crack formation/percolation (>1.9 and 3.3%, respectively) far above the monolithic counterparts. Moreover, we show that SB propagation induces large chemical intermixing, enabling a brittle‐to‐ductile transition when Λ ≤ 50 nm, reaching remarkably large plastic deformation of 16% in compression and yield strength ≈2 GPa. Overall, the nanoengineered control of local heterogeneities leads to ultimate and tunable mechanical properties opening up a new approach for strong and ductile materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancements in halide perovskite materials, celebrated for their exceptional optoelectronic properties, have not only led to a remarkable increase in the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) but also opened avenues for the development of semitransparent devices. Such devices are ideally suited for integration into building facades and for use in tandem solar cell configurations. However, depositing transparent electrodes (TEs) on top of the charge transport layers in PSC poses significant challenges. Physical vapor deposition (PVD), commonly used in the industry to prepare transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) as TEs, can introduce plasma‐induced damage during the process, which decreases the efficiency of the final devices. While incorporating a buffer layer is the typical approach to mitigate plasma damage, it also increases the complexity and costs of solar cell fabrication. This perspective focuses on the developments of buffer‐free semitransparent PSCs. It highlights the shift away from the typical approach of incorporating a buffer layer. Through a comprehensive analysis of recent research, this work presents successful cases of direct TCO deposition onto transport layers, evaluates scalability and stability, and concludes with recommendations for optimizing PVD processes in the fabrication of buffer‐free PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tribological performance of the tungsten carbide substrate (WC‐Co), improved by ceramic coatings, is still being reported in new studies that have been carried out to date. It has become a hot research topic that are widely applied in hard material research, especially in the tools manufacturing fields. This study was conducted to investigate the wear characteristics of a commercial cemented carbide tool (WC‐Co) coated with a physical vapor deposition chromium‐vanadium nitride film (CrVN), followed by a boriding process as a final thermochemical treatment. Tested in dry sliding contact against an alumina ball as a static partner, the tribological responses of the specimen were analyzed and compared with an uncoated specimen. Friction coefficients, calculated from volume loss, were around .58 for all specimens except the uncoated specimen at 10 N of applied load. Wear scar analyses revealed the occurrence of several wear mechanisms that is polishing, oxidation, wear debris formation, surface binder removal, grain fragmenting, and grain pull‐out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, 1D nanostructure‐based devices have achieved widespread usage in various fields, such as sensors, energy harvesters, transistors, and electrodes owing to their exceptional and distinct properties. The pioneering work of Dr. R. S. Wagner at Bell Laboratories in 1964 introduced the vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) process, a powerful synthesis method. Since then, numerous synthesis techniques, including sol–gel, hydrothermal, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), and more, have been developed. These methods have enabled researchers to effectively control the shape (length and diameter) and material properties of nanowires. However, it was only about two decades ago that nanowires started to be widely utilized as key components in functional devices, primarily due to the lack of proper integration methods. Although dozens of integration techniques have been developed, none have emerged as a predominant choice, with each method presenting its own set of advantages and limitations. Therefore, this work aims to categorize these methods based on their working principles and provide a comprehensive summary of their pros and cons. Additionally, state‐of‐the‐art devices that capitalize on the integration of 1D nanomaterials are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two‐dimensional (2D) intrinsic vacancy semiconductors possess great application prospects in optoelectronics fields, originating from abundant intrinsic vacancy structures and exceptional physical properties. Understanding the structure‐activity relationship between vacancies and physical/photoelectric properties is significant for building advanced photoelectric devices. However, limited by the increasing instability of 2D structure induced by intrinsic vacancies, the precise synthesis of 2D intrinsic vacancy semiconductors faces great challenges. Here, high‐quality 2D intrinsic vacancy semiconductor α‐Ga2Se3 is synthesized via low‐pressure and space‐confined physical vapor deposition. The vacancy structures induce an intermediate energy level and a super‐bandgap photoluminescence (PL) peak, which are verified by temperature‐dependent PL spectra. Furthermore, the vacancy energy level favorably endows 2D α‐Ga2Se3‐based photodetector with a UV‐vis‐NIR super‐bandgap photoresponse, excellent ultraviolet detection ability (photoresponsivity (41.86 A W−1), epitaxial quantum efficiency (1.42 × 104%), and detectivity (6.69 × 1011 Jones) @365 nm), fast photoresponse (20 ms), and superior photocurrent‐light power‐fitting factors. In addition, 2D α‐Ga2Se3‐based phototransistor displays p‐type transport behavior with a responsivity of 105 A W−1@365 nm at a gate voltage of −40 V. This work suggests a bright future of 2D intrinsic vacancy semiconductors in tailoring physical properties and enabling sophisticated device functionality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field‐effect transistors (FETs) with ultra‐wide bandgap semiconductor Ga2O3 have been fabricated by physical vapor deposition with advantages of low cost, wafer scale, and rapid production. The insulator‐like pristine Ga2O3 is converted to semiconductor by co‐sputtering Sn with post‐annealing, which demonstrates a 5.6 × 107 times higher on‐state current. Importantly, this Sn‐doped Ga2O3 sample shows a high breakdown voltage near 500 V. Furthermore, a 4 inch array of Sn‐doped Ga2O3 FETs with high‐k Ta2O5 gate dielectric has been fabricated on a silicon substrate, successfully showing a large on‐current density of 1.3 mA mm−1, a high ION/IOFF of 2.5 × 106, and a low threshold voltage of 3.9 V, which are extracted from the average 350 devices. This work paves a promising way for Ga2O3‐based nanoelectronics to serve medium‐high voltage with low cost, rapid, and wafer‐scale production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CuGaS2 films grown by physical vapor deposition were studied by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, using excitation intensity and temperature‐dependent analyses. We observed free and bound exciton recombinations, three donor‐to‐acceptor (DA) transitions, and deep‐level transitions. The DA transitions at ~2.41, 2.398, and ~2.29 eV are attributed to a common donor level ~35 meV and two shallow acceptors at ~75 and ~90 meV and a deeper acceptor at 210 meV above the valence band. This electronic structure is similar to those of other chalcopyrite materials. The observed DA transitions are accompanied by several phonon replicas. The Cu‐rich and near‐stoichiometric CuGaS2 films are dominated by transitions involving the acceptor at 210 meV. All films show deep‐level transitions at ~2.15 and 1.85 eV due to broad deep defect bands. The slightly Cu‐deficient films were dominated by intense transitions at ~2.45 eV, which were attributed to excitonic transitions, and a broad defect transition at 2.15 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuromorphic devices that parallelize perception, preprocessing, and computation functions are expected to play a significant role in future non‐von Neumann architecture computers. Herein, a new retina‐inspired broadband self‐powered optoelectronic synaptic device based on 2D/3D heterojunction of epitaxial InSe on GaN(0001) is reported. Few‐layer n‐type InSe is grown on p‐type GaN by physical vapor deposition in an ultra‐high vacuum (UHV) environment. The devices are fabricated using a shadow mask assisted UHV electrode deposition technique. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images reveal that an atomically thin amorphous layer, which induces highly efficient charge trapping, is formed at the InSe/GaN interface. The photoresponse spans from visible to near‐infrared, and the response time is prolonged to 103 ms owing to the deep trapping levels. Thus, synaptic functions, including excitatory postsynaptic current, paired‐pulse facilitation with a high index of up to 170%, short‐term plasticity, and high‐pass filtering characteristics, are realized. Additionally, the synapses demonstrated the merit of realizing image sharpening and arithmetic operations on the same device under infrared and visible light illumination. This study provides a new platform of 2D/3D heterostructures for robust optoelectronic synapses that may find applications in post‐Moore era neuromorphic vision systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium‐based coatings have been of interest to researchers for the last two decades because of their extraordinary properties like high hardness, high wear, and corrosion resistance properties. However, it is in practice and research to increase the properties of Cr‐based coatings for high‐temperature applications. Numerous dopants like silicon (Si), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), aluminum (Al), and zirconium (Zr) have been used together with Cr to achieve enhanced properties. The plasma‐based sputtering process is one of the popular and reliable techniques to deposit thin film coatings. The substrate material, processed gas and pressure, substrate temperature, film thickness, and so on also play a significant role in varying the properties and microstructure of the deposited film. Several researchers have deposited Cr/CrN‐based thin films via the chemical vapor deposition technique (CVD) and physical vapor deposition technique (PVD) to study their properties and behavior at room temperature as well as for high‐temperature applications. This work reflects the review of work done to deposit Cr/CrN‐based coatings deposited via PVD: more specifically sputtering technique. The effect of doping in the CrN matrix and variation in sputtering parameters on the properties of CrN‐based coatings have also been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid organic‐inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have rapidly advanced in the new generation of photovoltaic devices. As the demand for energy continues to grow, the pursuit of more stable, highly efficient, and cost‐effective solar cells has intensified in both academic research and the industry. Consequently, the development of scalable fabrication techniques that yield a uniform and dense perovskite absorber layer with optimal crystallization plays a crucial role to enhance stability and higher efficiency of perovskite solar modules. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent advancements, comparison, and future prospects of scalable deposition techniques for perovskite photovoltaics. We discuss various techniques, including solution‐based and physical methods such as blade coating, inkjet printing (IJP), screen printing, slot‐die coating, physical vapor deposition, and spray coating that have been employed for fabrication of perovskite modules. The advantages and challenges associated with these techniques, such as contactless and maskless deposition, scalability, and compatibility with roll‐to‐roll processes, have been thoroughly examined. Finally, the integration of multiple subcells in perovskite solar modules is explored using different scalable deposition techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal borides have received a lot of attention recently as a potentially useful material for a wide range of applications. In particular, molybdenum‐based borides and MBenes are of great significance, due to their remarkable properties like good electronic conductivity, considerable stability, high surface area, and environmental harmlessness. Therefore, in this article, the progress made in molybdenum‐based borides and MBenes in recent years is reviewed. The first step in understanding these materials is to begin with an overview of their structural and electronic properties. Then synthetic technologies for the production of molybdenum borides, such as high‐temperature/pressure methods, physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), element reaction route, molten salt‐assisted, and selective etching methods are surveyed. Then, the critical performance of these materials in numerous applications like energy storage, catalysis, biosensors, biomedical devices, surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and tribology and lubrication are summarized. The review concludes with an analysis of the current progress of these materials and provides perspectives for future research. Overall, this review will offer an insightful reference for the understanding molybdenum‐based borides and their development in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: PVD Coatings Enable Textile Wires and Sensors – Process control by adjusted energy ranges Plasma sputtering deposition is a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) method based on a weakly ionized gas, the plasma, that ablates atoms from a solid target material at vacuum conditions to deposit the sputtered atoms on a substrate. In this way, the plasma has two functions, i) the generation of high‐energy ions of several 100 eV accelerated to the target for sputtering, and ii) to support film growth by plasma‐surface interaction with particles bearing lower energies around ∼10 eV. For both processes, energy thresholds are present, which will be discussed in this article. Plasma sputtering deposition has wide spread industrial applications. As one example, the metallization of polymer fibers is demonstrated to obtain electrically conductive textile sensors and wires. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The choice of deposition technique and post deposition treatment can significantly influence the performance of organic electronic devices by altering the complex relationship between film properties and charge transport. Herein, the influence of deposition method and post deposition thermal annealing on the thin‐film properties of an emerging semiconductor, bis(tri‐n‐propylsilyl oxide) SiPc ((3PS)2‐SiPc), is examined by polarized Raman microscopy. Comparing physical vapor deposition (PVD) and spin‐coating, the orientation of (3PS)2‐SiPc molecules in films is determined and further characterized by X‐ray diffraction to assess variations in microstructure and morphology due to thermal annealing. Despite differences in film formation, non‐annealed organic thin‐film transistors (OTFTs) fabricated by PVD and spin‐coating resulted in similar electron mobilities (μe) on the order of 10−2 cm2 V−1 s−1 and threshold voltages (VT) of 10–20 V. Films fabricated by PVD annealed at 175 °C transition to a new polymorphic form with molecules aligned at a higher angle to the substrate and exhibiting reduced device performance. Conversely, spin‐coated films do not undergo any new polymorph formation or structural reorganization with thermal annealing. PVD fabricated films are thus more readily able to undergo transformations to structure and morphology with post deposition processing, while the microstructure of spin‐coated films is established at the time of deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group IIIA metal chalcogenides are an auspicious material system due to their variability of properties and hence the multitude of application options, for example, in the fields of optoelectronic, thermoelectric, piezo‐, and ferroelectric devices. Indium and gallium selenide films are innovatively grown in a sequential PVD (physical vapor deposition) process starting from metal precursor layers of various thicknesses, which are then subject to chalcogenization in different selenium contents. The resulting thin films are investigated for structural and optical properties by Raman, XRD (X‐ray diffraction), and UV–Vis–NIR spectrometry, revealing that all the compounds In2Se3, InSe, In4Se3, Ga2Se3, and GaSe as well as different polytypes can be achieved depending on the metal/chalcogen ratio. Results from Raman and XRD spectroscopy are highly consistent, and also from the optical measurements changes in absorption characteristics can be correlated. The results indicate, that by fine‐tuning the selenium content, deliberately growing ultra‐thin layers of the different indium and gallium phases will be possible, thus opening up a promising route for 2D material fabrication. Given the scalability of the fabrication method, it is highly promising for large‐scale deployment of the materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical synaptic device is a novel nonvolatile memory device that combines optical sensing function with synaptic plasticity to simulate the basic biomimetic behaviors of the human visual system. It shows a great potential application in artificial vision. However, most of the current optical synaptic devices are either structurally special or complex, which are quite difficult to prepare especially for mass production. In this work, a submillimeter single‐crystal Bi2O2Se flake with selenium vacancies (Bi2O2Se‐VSe) grown by physical vapor deposition is presented. Upon the Bi2O2Se‐VSe flake, an optical synaptic device is designed with the persistent photoconductivity (PPC) effect induced by selenium vacancies. The device can simulate the biological synapses with an obvious synaptic plasticity. Moreover, an artificial vision system consisting of a 3 × 4 array of optical synaptic devices has been fabricated. The intensity of the image pattern can keep at a high memory level of 54.64% and 19.31% for 532 and 1060 nm waiting for 400 s after illumination of 100 s, which demonstrates the devices exhibit excellent image sensing, learning, and memory storage. This work opens up a new route for fabricating the optical synaptic device with a simple structure and provides new ideas for studying artificial vision systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface modification techniques play an important role in adjusting the physicochemical properties of titanium and its alloys. To reduce the penetration of alloying element ions into the body, various types of oxide coatings are used to protect it from the corrosive environment. Another important issue related to the surface layer requirement is ensuring an appropriate set of mechanical properties. Accordingly, in this study, the mechanical and electrochemical properties of the silicon dioxide layers formed by the deposition of nano physical vapor deposition on the surface of titanium and titanium 13‐niobium 13‐zirconium alloy samples were investigated. To evaluate the mechanical properties of the layers produced by this method, hardness tests were carried out, as well as tests on the adhesion of these layers to the metal substrate. On the other hand, electrochemical properties were studied using potentiodynamic measurements to assess the resistance to pitting corrosion, followed by impedance measurements to interpret the processes and phenomena occurring at the silicon dioxide layer/electrolyte interface. The data obtained showed different mechanical and electrochemical properties of the silicon dioxide layers generated with varying process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation during ionized physical vapor deposition (IPVD) of tantalum barriers on various porous organosilicate glass low‐k SiCOH films is studied using advanced diagnostics and quantum chemical calculations. VUV photons break the Si–C bonds, releasing hydrocarbon radicals from the pore surfaces. These radicals, trapped in pores that are partially sealed by tantalum deposition, can either react with tantalum to form carbide‐like compounds, TaCx, or be redeposited in the pores as CHx polymers. This is evidenced by a decrease in CH3 groups that correlates with an increase in TaCx. The formation of TaCx poses a significant challenge in the back end of line (BEOL) technology when reducing the barrier thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the nanoscale, methodically reconfiguring interface charges, and leveraging this newly structured interface to modify the energy-momentum dynamics of heterojunction energy bands, hold profound implications for microwave electronics because of the intensified interaction between external microwaves and interfaces of materials. Mastering the orderly reconstruction of interface charges, contingent upon precise control over composition, orientation, and electronic structure remains a challenge at this scale. Herein, an in situ hierarchical assembly approach is used to successively deposit layers of Cu2S, C, and MoS2 on a hollow cubic framework with a thickness of 20 nm. Additionally, by harnessing the quasi-graphitic characteristics and elevated work function of graphitized carbon in the middle layer, its inherent charge is steered toward both the outer and inner layers, establishing a structured configuration for the crafted Cu2S@C and C@MoS2 interfaces. Employing advanced off-axis electron holography, microwave dielectric measurements, and first-principle calculations, the dynamic reconstruction of interface charges and the resulting microwave response is ascertained. The synergistic effect revealed that the Cu2S@C@MoS2 materials exhibited exceptional microwave absorption, with an effective absorption band covering 7.03 GHz at 2.0 mm thickness. Furthermore, the orderly reconstruction of nano-interfaces paves the way for research into novel electromagnetic protection materials and their unique electronic behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mid‐infrared (mid‐IR) region is attractive for spectroscopy because this range has molecular fingerprint information. Existing FTIR‐based systems are limited by their complex optical systems, highlighting the ongoing necessity to advance miniaturization and simplify these systems. Here, a compact mid‐IR spectroscopy is introduced in the mid‐IR range, utilizing a continuously variable mid‐IR filter. This filter is made from Germanium (Ge) and BaF2 and is produced using physical vapor deposition. Continuously varying wavelengths of mid‐IR light are transmitted from different areas of the filter. These different wavelengths of light enter each pixel of the microbolometer array. Calibration is conducted using a sample material to match each pixel of the microbolometer array to its corresponding wavelength. Additionally, a deconvolution algorithm is applied to sharpen the acquired spectrum. This results in acquisition of high signal‐to‐noise ratio mid‐IR spectra in the LWIR region. Using this technology, mid‐IR spectroscopy for several types of samples like polymer film, and gas molecules is possible. In addition, by adopting total internal reflection, it is possible to measure non‐uniform thickness samples, such as liquid droplets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We summarize the current knowledge on crystal structures, synthesis, applications, and Raman spectroscopy of Wadsley phases of vanadium oxide, including VO2 (B), V6O13, V4O9, V3O7, and V2O5. While these oxides have garnered significant attention for potential energy storage applications and have been studied for decades, there remains inconsistency in data regarding their characteristic Raman spectra. To address this, we synthesized a series of Wadsley phases by physical vapor deposition of amorphous vanadium oxide films and subsequent annealing in a controlled environment. X‐ray diffraction studies confirmed the formation of VO2 (B), V6O13, V4O9, and V3O7. We meticulously measured the room‐temperature Raman spectra of these phases, offering robust reference data for the easy identification of vanadium oxides in unknown samples. Finally, we studied low‐temperature phase transitions in VO2 (B) and V6O13. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This perspective outlines the research directions of ferroelastic rare‐earth (RE) tantalates (RETaO4), which have been studied as multifunctional thermal/environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) with working temperatures above 1600°C. Ferroelastic RETaO4 ceramics exhibit several distinct features, including the reversible second‐order ferroelastic phase transition, high toughness, low thermal conductivity, low oxygen ion conductivity, and adjustable thermal expansion coefficients. This perspective provides a concise summary of the research progress on tantalate coatings synthesized via air plasma spraying and electron beam physical vapor deposition. The service performance of tantalate coatings is typically evaluated through thermal fatigue and shock measurements. Uncovering the failure mechanisms and understanding influencing factors are key aspects for future studies. In this regard, establishing the synthesis‐structure‐property relationship of RETaO4 coatings is essential. This brief perspective can serve as a guide for future work on RETaO4 coatings and further advancements in their applications across various fields, including aviation engines and gas turbines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymethines containing an allyl group have been synthesized. Their films are produced by physical vapor deposition (PVD) on glass, silicon (Si), gold (Au), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and nanostructured plastic substrates. Optical spectra recorded during the deposition showed no decomposition of molecules. The influence of dye structure and substrate on the morphology of the deposits is studied using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Depending on the dye structure and the substrate material, various nanostructures are grown. Dichroic nanowires (NWs) are formed by self‐assembly on Au and Si substrates. On the Si surface, NWs grow between the edges of neighboring Au stripes. Several methods are used for the selective opening of the allyl group. Smooth films are produced with optical spectra similar to those deposited by PVD. The morphology of the films is dependent on the activation conditions. The thermal stability of the films exceeds the stability of those deposited via PVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chalcogen vacancy has long been recognized as a detrimental deep‐level defect that can induce severe charge recombination and diminish the quasi‐Fermi‐level splitting in Sb2S3 and Sb2Se3, especially when they are prepared by physical vapor deposition in vacuum. In order to counter this limitation, a sulfur‐supplemented vapor transport deposition technique is proposed, which intentionally introduces low pressure sulfur vapor and can thus afford low‐defect‐density antimony chalcogenide films. The resultant photocathodes modified with conformal TiO2 protection layer and Pt cocatalyst demonstrate a photocurrent as high as 20 mA cm−2 along with a much improved fill factor and onset potential, achieving an applied bias photoconversion efficiency above 1%. This work highlights the importance of the vacancy defect passivation and the preferential crystalline orientation in the film in promoting the photocathode performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undoped and In‐doped ZnSb thin films are deposited on rigid glass and flexible polyimide (Kapton) by physical vapor deposition. Detailed structural and chemical characterization is performed along with measurement of electrical and optical properties. These properties are very similar for films on glass and Kapton. Flexible ZnSb films show remarkable stability of electrical and optical properties, which are unchanged after 104 cycles of linear bending with surface strain 0.18%. Only severe flexing after this treatment (torsional bending with surface strain 1.7%) causes progressive degradation of conductivity over tens to hundreds of cycles. The ZnSb optical direct gap is determined to be 0.89 ± 0.05 eV. The optical direct gap of β Zn4Sb3 was 1.07 ± 0.05 eV. Other absorption features in the films, including smaller indirect gaps, are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar thermophotovoltaics (STPV) receive considerable attention for the record high energy transfer efficiency beyond conventional photovoltaics systems, which requires a well‐designed structured absorber/emitter and high operating temperature. However, the inherent tradeoff between increased operation temperature and material/structure stability (especially for the thermal emitters) severely hinders the development of STPV. In this work, a new design is proposed for a step‐function‐like thermal emitter based on a two‐path (quasi) coherent perfect absorption effect, which is experimentally enabled by a few‐layer Si/Mo/AlN lamellar film on a Mo substrate through a sequential physical vapor deposition process. The as‐prepared lamellar emitter exhibits maximal emissivity of ≈97% for 1.4 µm with excellent thermal suppression down to 10% across 3.4–10 µm, the performance of which is well maintained up to 973 K. When employed in the established STPV system, the dual coherent enhanced absorption (DCEA) system contributes to an increase of 20% in the total system efficiency compared to the unimodal coherent perfect absorption counterpart. The design proposed in this study provides a new methodology for improving the efficiency of the STPV system and may have significant applications in improving thermal energy regulation for compact systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional supramolecular nanostructures are a promising class of materials, which can be used as potential heterogeneous photocatalysts in water. Self‐assembly to nanoobjects in solution typically requires large solubilizing groups linked to the photoactive building block, and possibly hampers access to the photocatalytic active sites. Herein, a straightforward method to fabricate supramolecular nanofibers based on the disclike tricycloquinazoline (TCQ) by physical vapor deposition (PVD) is reported. It is demonstrated that TCQ can be assembled on different substrates into supramolecular nanofibers with diameters of about 70 nm resulting in densely packed fiber layers. With optimized conditions, the evaporation time allows full control over the fiber length and the absorbance of the TCQ fiber layer. A bottlebrush‐like morphology with TCQ nanofibers is realized using glass‐microfiber nonwovens as porous support. These mesostructured nonwovens can be used as photocatalysts for the degradation of rhodamine B in a batch process in water where the morphology remains intact after the reaction. After photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B or tetracycline under continuous flow conditions, the supramolecular TCQ nanofibers still remain on the support. These findings demonstrate that PVD is a feasible approach to achieve functional mesostructured nonwovens with controlled morphology for use and reuse in catalytic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct‐write vapor deposition is a new technique that would enable one‐step 3D maskless nanofabrication on a variety of substrates. A novel silicon chip‐based microevaporator is developed that allows evaporant to exit through 2000–300 nm nozzles while held at distances comparable to the nozzle diameter from the substrate by a three‐axis nanopositioning stage in vacuum. This results in a localized deposition on the substrate, which may be scanned relative to the substrate to produce direct‐write patterns. The performance of the microevaporator is tested by creating localized depositions of various materials and the line‐writing potential is demonstrated. The relationship between linewidth and source‐to‐substrate distance is investigated by the application of Knudsen's cosine law and Monte‐Carlo simulations, and then utilized to approximate the source‐to‐substrate distance from performed depositions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium‐magnesium‐aluminium‐silicate (CMAS) attack is a longstanding challenge for yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) particularly at higher engine operating temperature. Here, a novel microstructural design is reported for YSZ TBCs to mitigate CMAS attack. The design is based on a drip coating method that creates a thin layer of nanoporous Al2O3 around YSZ columnar grains produced by electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB‐PVD). The nanoporous Al2O3 enables fast crystallization of CMAS melt close to the TBC surface, in the inter‐columnar gaps, and on the column walls, thereby suppressing CMAS infiltration and preventing further degradation of the TBCs due to CMAS attack. Indentation and three‐point beam bending tests indicate that the highly porous Al2O3 only slightly stiffens the TBC but offers superior resistance against sintering in long‐term thermal exposure by reducing the intercolumnar contact. This work offers a new pathway for designing novel TBC architecture with excellent CMAS resistance, strain tolerance, and sintering resistance, which also points out new insight for assembly nanoporous ceramic in traditional ceramic structure for integrated functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In simulation for machining processes, temperature dependent properties and their exact specification are important for application oriented results. For calculation of coated tools and components, interest in thermophysical properties of hard coatings is increasing. A methodical approach is used to measure the specific heat capacity of nitride and oxynitride hard coatings deposited by physical vapor deposition. The coating is converted into powdery state and measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Heat capacities for Cr44Al5N51 and two oxynitride Cr40Al5O18N37 and Cr44Al8O28N21 coatings were measured from T=200 °C to T=900 °C, technically relevant in tribological applications and manufacturing technology. The measured heat capacities showed reproducible results between cp ≈0.38 J/gK and cp ≈0.78 J/gK and dependency on the chemical composition of the coatings. The coating with highest non‐metal to metal ratio exhibited the highest heat capacity. The coating with highest oxygen content and lowest non‐metal to metal ratio showed the lowest heat capacity. Hard coatings and their thermophysical properties can affect heat transfer in industrial processes. Knowledge of these properties is necessary for process control by temperature sensor coatings or temperature dependent simulations. With measured values of heat capacities of physically vapor deposited hard coatings separated from the substrate, coatings can be adapted for use in application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CdTe films, Ag nanoparticles, and Ag/CdTe composites are successfully fabricated on substrates by means of the physical vapor deposition process. The morphological structure, crystal growth and bandgap of the samples are specifically characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometer, and UV–vis spectrophotometer. Picosecond (ps) Z‐scan technology is used to investigate the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the composites under 532 nm. The results indicate that all samples exhibit saturated absorption nonlinear absorption properties and self‐dispersion nonlinear refraction properties. In addition, Ag nanoparticles can improve the NLO properties of Ag/CdTe composites, and this improvement is more obvious with the increase of Ag power. The results show that the excellent properties of the Ag/CdTe composites are expected to make them an ideal material for use in the photoelectric field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monolayer organic crystals provide an unprecedented opportunity for studies on the intrinsic charge transport of organic semiconductors because of their 2D nature that is free of grain boundaries with fewer defects. However, due to the spatially stochastic molecular nucleation and the difficulty in controlling monolayer assembly, large‐scale growth of monolayer organic crystals remains a formidable challenge. Here, a self‐limited epitaxial growth strategy is proposed to realize large‐area patterned growth of monolayer organic crystals via physical vapor deposition process. Specifically, this approach confines the molecular nucleation and crystallization in defined wetting patterns, whose sizes are smaller than the mean free path of the molecules on substrate, enabling the formation of a single nucleus in wetting pattern. Meanwhile, the intermolecular lattice mismatch between 2,7‐dialkyl[1]benzothieno[3,2‐b][1]benzothiophene (Cn‐BTBT, n = 8 and 10) derivatives inhibits vertical molecular stacking, thereby promoting the monolayer assembly of organic molecules. Using this approach, centimeter‐sized patterned growth of mixed Cn‐BTBT monolayer organic crystals is achieved. Polarization‐sensitive phototransistors based on the monolayer organic crystals exhibit ultrahigh dichroic ratio up to 4.6 × 103, on par with the commercial polarizers (103). This work sheds light on large‐scale patterned growth of monolayer organic crystals toward high‐performance optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study investigated the effect of substrate deformation behavior on crack resistance of CrAlN coatings under quasi‐static and cyclic loads using nanoindentation. (Cr47Al53)N coatings were deposited on cemented carbide WC‐Co and high‐speed steel HS652C substrates through physical vapor deposition (PVD) und characterized. In order to study the coating cracking behavior, the coated substrates were subjected to quasi‐static nanoindentations with indentation force Fmax = 1 N, Fmax = 1.5 N and Fmax = 2 N. Moreover, the crack resistance under cyclic loading with frequency f = 0.16 Hz was analyzed at F = 1 N and F = 1.5 N after n = 900 cycles. A conical diamond indenter was used for the tests. At the end, the indentation imprints were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The substrate dependency was apparent in cracking behavior of the coating. Albeit the lower indentation depth compared to the variant with HS6‐5‐2C substrate, the CrAlN coating on WC‐Co substrate showed surface cracks under quasi‐static and cyclic loading. These cracks on the coated surface were absent in the variant with HS6‐5‐2C substrate. This could be related to higher resistance of cemented carbide substrates against plastic deformation, prompting earlier crack initiation in CrAlN coating for effective energy dissipation during indentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Sensor‐actor coating – Enabler for temperature control on tool surfaces Temperature control in aluminum die casting is crucial for sustainable processes and high product quality. Knowledge of the temperature in the loaded contact zone is required during production process. Therefore, a sensor coating consisting of a base insulation coating, two sensor layers and an insulating wear protection coating is applied by means of physical vapor deposition (PVD). Temperature measurement bases on the thermoelectric effect. In addition to isolated temperature measurement, the PVD sensor coating can be combined with a thermally sprayed (TS) actor coating. The TS actor coating consists of insulation coatings and a heater coating, generating heat based on the function of a resistive heater. To investigate the sensor‐actor function, the combined coating was exposed to thermal cycling tests in this study. The combination of PVD sensor coating and TS actor coating was successfully applied. The TS actor coating tempered the surface with high dynamics. At the same time, the PVD sensor coating measured the temperature at the surface with short response time. In thermal cycling tests, the sensor function showed a comparable temperature profile to reference measurements with an infrared sensor. By means of the sensor‐actor coating, temperature can be measured at contact surface and heat can be applied if necessary. The sensor‐actor coating offers the opportunity to control temperature in primary and forming processes, for machine elements or for processing temperature‐sensitive materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the activity and stability of Fe/N/C catalyst in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a huge challenge in the commercial application of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). In the past decade, there have been significant break‐throughs in the performance of transition metal catalysts, but little progress has been made in their stability. Herein, a zinc‐based zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF‐8) and tungsten carbide engaged strategy was reported to prepare Fe/N/C catalyst. Particularly, physical vapor deposition (PVD) was used to trap tungsten carbide nanoparticles with particle size of less than 3 nm limited into the FeNC catalytic micropores to synthesis composite catalyst (WC@FeNC). Compared with original Fe/N/C cata‐lysts, confined WC nanoparticles in Fe/N/C porous has improved the ORR activity (2.7 mA mg−1vs. 2.2 mA mg−1 at 0.85 V vs. RHE) as well as stability (decay 18.7 mV vs. 21.6 mV after 10 h charged) in 0.1 M H2SO4. This work puts forward some unique insights for improving the stability of transition metal oxygen reduction catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Without any experimental inputs, the electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB‐PVD) of Gd2Zr2O7 with much potential for thermal barrier coatings was investigated by use of the kinetic Monte Carlo, after fitting the potential function using lattice inversion method and "coarse‐grained" mapping on the cohesive energy calculated by density functional theory, to reveal the effect of critical processing parameters of EB‐PVD on the microstructures and porosity of the deposited coating, for example, substrate temperature, deposition rate and incident angle. Based on the lower energy barrier calculated by a nudged elastic band, intra‐layer diffusion is easier than interlayer diffusion, attributed to the fewer bonds in the former. Furthermore, the porosity of the coating decreases with the increase of temperature or decrease of deposition rate, with the gradual disappearing large gaps among columnar crystals and filled pores, because of the increase of transition probability and transition times. With the decreasing incident angle, the area of the shadow zone decreases and less particles can be blocked by previously deposited ones, making the columnar crystals disappear gradually, with more like laminated structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition‐metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) islands and thin films are grown on TiO2(110) via physical vapor deposition of Mo and Se and are analyzed with electron diffraction, Auger spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Surprisingly, large, crystalline TiSe2 patches develop on the TiO2 surface instead of the expected MoSe2 islands. They are identified by a hexagonal lattice with 3.4 Å periodicity, a unique (2 × 2) superstructure related to charge‐density waves, and an empty conductance doublet in STM spectroscopy. Density‐function‐theory calculations assign the imaging contrast and the conductance doublet to tunneling into the 3p orbitals of the topmost Se layer and Ti 3d‐related electronic states, respectively. Control experiments without Mo deposition confirm that the observed TMDC growth indeed results from a surface reaction between gas‐phase Se and Ti3+ atoms, segregating out of the reduced TiO2 crystal. From the unique shape and orientation of the TiSe2 islands in the low‐coverage regime, a distinct nucleation scheme is proposed, in which the Se(3 × 1) superstructure on TiO2 provides pinning centers for the TMDC. This article aims at increasing the awareness that Mo and Se co‐deposition does not automatically result in MoSe2 formation, but parasitic processes may trigger the growth of other TMDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]