An Overview of the Multi-Band and the Generalized BCS Equations-Based Approaches to Deal with Hetero-Structured Superconductors

We trace the conceptual basis of the Multi-Band Approach (MBA) and recall the reasons for its wide following for composite superconductors (SCs). Attention is then drawn to a feature that MBA ignores: the possibility that electrons in such an SC may also be bound via simultaneous exchanges of quanta with more than one ion-species—a lacuna which is addressed by the Generalized BCS Equations (GBCSEs). Based on several papers, we give a concise account of how this approach: 1) despite employing a single band, meets the criteria satisfied by MBA because a) GBCSEs are derived from a temperature-incorporated Bethe-Salpeter Equation the kernel of which is taken to be a “superpropagator” for a composite SC-each ion-species of which is distinguished by its own Debye temperature and interaction parameter and b) the band overlapping the Fermi surface is allowed to be of variable width. GBCSEs so-obtained reduce to the usual equations for the Tc and Δ of an elemental SC in the limit superpropagator → 1-phonon propagator;2) accommodates moving Cooper pairs and thereby extends the scope of the original BCS theory which restricts the Hamiltonian at the outset to terms that correspond to pairs having zero centre-of-mass momentum. One can now derive an equation for the critical current density (j0) of a composite SC at T = 0 in terms of the Debye temperatures of its ions and their interaction parameters— parameters that also determine its Tc and Δs;3) transforms the problem of optimizing j0 of a composite SC, and hence its Tc, into a problem of chemical engineering;4) provides a common canopy for most composite SCs, including those that are usually regarded as outside the purview of the BCS theory and have therefore been called “exceptional”, e.g., the heavy-fermion SCs;5) incorporates s±-wave superconductivity as an in-built feature and can therefore deal with the iron-based SCs, and 6) leads to presumably verifiable predictions for the values of some relevant parameters, e.g., the effective mass of electrons, for the SCs for which it has been employed.

Thermally conductive polyvinyl alcohol composite films via introducing hetero-structured MXene@silver fillers

Ag nanoparticles were in-situ grown on the surface of MXene nanosheets to prepare thermally conductive hetero-structured MXene@Ag fillers.With polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)as the polymer matrix,thermally conductive MXene@Ag/PVA composite films were fabricated by the processes of solution blending,pouring,evaporative self-assembly.With the same mass fraction,MXene@Ag-III(MXene/Ag,2:1,w/w)presents more significant improvement in thermal conductivity coefficient(λ)than MXene@Ag,single MXene,Ag,simply blending MXene/Ag.MXene@Ag-III/PVA composite films show dual functions of excellent thermal conductivity and electromagnetic interference(EMI)shielding.When the mass fraction of MXene@Ag-III is 60 wt.%,the in-planeλ(λ_(∥)),through-planeλ(λ_(⊥)),EMI shielding effectiveness(EMI SE)are 3.72 and 0.41 W/(m∙K),32 dB,which are increased by 3.1,1.3,105.7 times than those of pure PVA film(0.91 and 0.18 W/(m∙K),0.3 dB),respectively.The 60 wt.%MXene@Ag-III/PVA composite film also has satisfying mechanical and thermal properties,with Young’s modulus,glass transition temperature,heat resistance index of 3.8 GPa,58.5 and 175.3℃,respectively.

Improvement of thermal conductivities and simulation model for glass fabrics reinforced epoxy laminated composites via introducing hetero-structured BNN-30@BNNS fillers

Hetero-structured thermally conductive spherical boron nitride and boron nitride nanosheets(BNN-30@BNNS)fillers were prepared via electro static self-assembly method.And the corresponding thermally conductive&electrically insulating BNN-30@BNNS/Si-GFs/E-44 laminated composites were then fabricated via hot compression.BNN-30@BNNS-Ⅲ(fBNN-30/fBNNS,1/2,wt/wt)fillers presented the optimal synergistic improvement effects on the thermal conductivities of epoxy composites.When the mass fraction of BNN-30@BNNS-Ⅲwas 15 wt%,λvalue of the BNN-30@BNNS-Ⅲ/E-44 composites was up to0.61 W m^(-1)K^(-1),increased by 2.8 times compared with pure E-44(λ=0.22 W m^(-1)K^(-1)),also higher than that of the 15 wt%BNN-30/E-44(0.56 W m^(-1)K^(-1)),15 wt%BNNS/E-44(0.42 W m^(-1)K^(-1)),and 15 wt%(BNN-30/BNNS)/E-44(direct blending BNN-30/BNNS hybrid fillers,1/2,wt/wt,0.49 W m^(-1)K^(-1))composites.Theλin-plane(λ//)andλcross-plane(λ_(⊥))of 15 wt%BNN-30@BNNS-Ⅲ/Si-GFs/E-44 laminated composites significantly reached 2.75 W m^(-1)K^(-1)and 1.32 W m^(-1)K^(-1),186.5%and 187.0%higher than those of Si-GFs/E-44 laminated composites(λ//=0.96 W m^(-1)K^(-1)andλ_(⊥)=0.46 W m^(-1)K^(-1)).Established models can well simulate heat transfer efficiency in the BNN-30@BNNS-Ⅲ/Si-GFs/E-44 laminated composites.Under the condition of point heat source,the introduction of BNN-30@BNNS-Ⅲfillers were conducive to accelerating heat flow trans fe r.BNN-30@BNNS-Ⅲ/Si-GFs/E-44 laminated composites also demonstrated outstanding electrical insulating properties(cross-plane withstanding voltage,breakdown strength,surface&volume resistivity of 51.3 kV,23.8 kV mm^(-1),3.7×10^(14)Ω&3.4×10^(14)Ω·cm,favorable mechanical properties(flexural strength of 401.0 MPa and ILSS of 22.3 MPa),excellent dielectric properties(εof 4.92 and tanδof 0.008)and terrific thermal properties(T_(g )of 167.3℃and T_(HRI) of 199.2℃).

Hetero-structured ZnIn_(2)S_(4)-NiO@MOF photo-catalysts for efficient hydrogen evolution

To obtain a high-performance heterogeneous photo-catalyst, herein, the hetero-structured Zn In_(2)S_(4)-Ni O@MOF(ZNM) nano-sheets are designed and prepared by partial pyrolysis of nickel-based MOFs(NiMOF) combined with the low-temperature solvo-thermal method. The results indicate that the NiO nanoparticles, produced by partial pyrolysis of the Ni-MOF, have a high density of the surface active sites with limited aggregation, which act as a co-catalyst to capture photo-induced charge carriers. In addition, the morphology and structure of Ni-MOF nano-sheets were preserved in ZNM, which is beneficial to the reduction of the conduction barrier for the photo generated electron-hole pairs. With the synergetic advantages of co-catalyst and unique two-dimensional hetero-structure, ZNM nano-sheets exhibited significantly improved activity for photo-catalytic hydrogen production.

Engineering hollow core-shell hetero-structure box to induce interfacial charge modulation for promoting bidirectional sulfur conversion in lithium-sulfur batteries

Severe polysulfide shuttling and sluggish sulfur redox kinetics significantly decrease sulfur utilization and cycling stability in lithium-sulfur batteries(LSBs).Herein,we develop a hollow CoO/CoP-Box core-shell heterostructure as a model and multifunctional catalyst modified on separators to induce interfacial charge modulation and expose more active sites for promoting the adsorption and catalytic conversion ability of sulfur species.Theoretical and experimental findings verify that the in-situ formed core-shell hetero-interface induces the formation of P-Co-O binding and charge redistribution to activate surface O active sites for binding lithium polysulfides(LiPSs)via strong Li-O bonding,thus strongly adsorbing with Li PSs.Meanwhile,the strong Li-O bonding weakens the competing Li-S bonding in LiPSs or Li2S adsorbed on CoO/CoP-Box surface,plus the hollow heterostructure provides abundant active sites and fast electron/Li+transfer,so reducing Li2S nucleation/dissolution activation energy.As expected,LSBs with CoO/CoP-Box modified separator and traditional sulfur/carbon black cathode display a large initial capacity of 1240 mA h g^(-1)and a long cycling stability with 300 cycles(~60.1%capacity retention)at 0.5C.Impressively,the thick sulfur cathode(sulfur loading:5.2 mg cm^(-2))displays a high initial areal capacity of 6.9 mA h cm^(-2).This work verifies a deep mechanism understanding and an effective strategy to induce interfacial charge modulation and enhance active sites for designing efficient dual-directional Li-S catalysts via engineering hollow core-shell hetero-structure.

Thermoelectric-transport in metal/graphene/metal hetero-structure

We investigate the thermoelectric-transport properties of metal/graphene/metal hetero-structure. We use a single band tight-binding model to prcsent the two-dimensional electronic band structure of graphene. Using the LandauerButticker formula and taking the coupling between graphene and the two electrodes into account, we can calculate the thermoelectric potential and current versus temperature. It is found that in spite of metal electrodes, the carrier type of graphene determines the electron motion direction driven by the difference in temperature between the two electrodes, while for n type graphene, the electrons move along the thermal gradient, and for p type graphene, the electrons move against the thermal gradient.

Electronic Structure of Single-Crystal CaF₂(111) with Nanoscale Phases of Ca and Si

The impact of Ca and Si nano-scale structures on parameters and density of states of single-crystalline CaF2(111) was studied. It was shown that at low concentration of ions of Ar+ (D ≤ 5 × 1015 cm-2) one witnesses formation of nanoscale phases on CaF2 surface. It was revealed that these phases lead to narrowing of the forbidden band Еg between the phases by 4 - 4.5 eV. At higher concentrations (D ≈ 6 × 1016 cm-2) the surface completely is covered by Ca atoms. It was shown that deposition of θ = 10 thick Si single layer on CaF2 surface manifests island picture. The concentration of Ca and Si nano-scale phases on the surface of CaF2 and the band gap of the phases were investigated as a function of (hν) of passing light. Nano-scale phases and nano-scale films of Ca were obtained by using the technique of bombardment with ions of Ar+ of CaF2 surface. Formation of nano-scale phases were accompanied by change in the composition and structure of CaF2 zones located between the phases. These changes led to narrowing of the forbidden band of CaF2 down to 7.5 - 8 eV. The concentration of Ca and Si nano-scale phases on the surface of CaF2 and the band gap of the phases were investigated as a function of (hν) of passing light.

Si/Si C-based DD hetero-structure IMPATTs as MM-wave power-source:a generalized large-signal analysis

A full-scale, self-consistent, non-linear, large-signal model of double-drift hetero-structure IMPATT diode with general doping profile is derived. This newly developed model, for the first time, has been used to analyze the large-signal characteristics of hexagonal SiC-based double-drift IMPATT diode. Considering the fabrication feasibility, the authors have studied the large-signal characteristics of Si/SiC-based hetero-structure devices. Under small-voltage modulation （~ 2%, i.e. small-signal conditions） results are in good agreement with calculations done using a linearised small-signal model. The large-signal values of the diode＇s negative conductance （5 × 106 S/m2）, susceptance （10.4 × 107 S/m2）, average breakdown voltage （207.6 V）, and power generating efficiency （15%, RF power： 25.0 W at 94 GHz） are obtained as a function of oscillation amplitude （50% of DC breakdown voltage） for a fixed average current density. The large-signal calculations exhibit power and efficiency saturation for large-signal （〉 50%） voltage modulation and thereafter decrease gradually with further increasing voltage-modulation. This generalized large-signal formulation is applicable for all types of IMPATT structures with distributed and narrow avalanche zones. The simulator is made more realistic by incorporating the space-charge effects, realistic field and temperature dependent material parameters in Si and SiC. The electric field snap-shots and the large-signal impedance and admittance of the diode with current excitation are expressed in closed loop form. This study will act as a guide for researchers to fabricate a high-power Si/SiC-based IMPATT for possible application in high-power MM-wave communication systems.

Ta_(3)N_(5)/CdS Core–Shell S‑scheme Heterojunction Nanofibers for Efficient Photocatalytic Removal of Antibiotic Tetracycline and Cr(VI):Performance and Mechanism Insights

Ta_(3)N_(5)/CdS core–shell S-scheme heterojunction nanofibers are fabricated by in situ growing CdS nanodots on Ta_(3)N_(5) nanofib-ers via a simple wet-chemical method.These Ta_(3)N_(5)/CdS nanofibers not only affords superior photocatalytic tetracycline degradation and mineralization performance,but also cause an efficient photocatalytic Cr(VI)reduction performance.The creation of favorable core–shell fiber-shaped S-scheme hetero-structure with tightly contacted interface and the maximum interface contact area promises the effective photo-carrier disintegration and the optimal photo-redox capacity synchronously,thus leading to the preeminent photo-redox ability.Some critical environmental factors on the photo-behavior of Ta_(3)N_(5)/CdS are also evaluated in view of the complexity of the authentic aquatic environment.The degradation products of tetracycline were confirmed by HPLC–MS analyses.Furthermore,the effective decline in eco-toxicity of TC intermediates is confirmed by QSAR calculation.This work provides cutting-edge guidelines for the design of high-performance Ta_(3)N_(5)-based S-scheme heterojunction nanofibers for environment restoration.

协同性的介电损耗和磁损耗使少层WS2纳米片与NiO纳米粒子的杂化物具有优异的微波吸收性能

由于高的比表面、层状结构以及特殊的电子结构,二硫化钨在电磁波吸收领域受到了科研人员的广泛关注.然而,二硫化钨有限的电磁吸收能力和带宽还有待进一步的改进,以满足其作为电磁吸收材料的实际应用.本研究采用水热法制备了具有异质结构的WS2/NiO杂化材料,并将其发展成为电磁波吸收基体.在4.27 mm厚度下,掺20%NiO杂化物材料的最大反射损失可达-53.31 dB;RL值小于-10 dB的带宽范围为4.54~18 GHz,此时吸波材料的厚度在3.5~5.5 mm.研究结果表明,WS2/NiO杂化材料优异的吸波性能是由于磁性Ni O的加入,形成了WS2和Ni O的异质界面,从而引起杂化材料协同的磁损耗和介电损耗,这为设计优异的吸波材料以及实际的应用开辟了新的途径.

NiSe_(2)-CoSe_(2) with a Hybrid Nanorods and Nanoparticles Structure for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Reaction

Hetero-structure induced high performance catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction(OER)in the water splitting reaction has received increased attention.Herein,we demonstrated a novel catalyst system of NiSe_(2)-CoSe_(2) consisting of nanorods and nanoparticles for the efficient OER in the alkaline electrolyte.This catalyst system can be easily fabricated via a low-temperature selenization of the solvothermal synthesized NiCo(OH)x precursor and the unique morphology of hybrid nanorods and nanoparticles was found by the electron microscopy analysis.The high valence state of the metal species was indicated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study and a strong electronic effect was found in the NiSe_(2)-CoSe_(2) catalyst system compared to their counterparts.As a result,NiSe_(2)-CoSe_(2) exhibited high catalytic performance with a low overpotential of 250 mV to reach 10 mA·cm^(-2) for OER in the alkaline solution.Furthermore,high catalytic stability and catalytic kinetics were also observed.The superior performance can be attributed to the high valence states of Ni and Co and their strong synergetic coupling effect between the nanorods and nanoparticles,which could accelerate the charge transfer and offer abundant electrocatalytic active sites.The current work offers an efficient hetero-structure catalyst system for OER,and the results are helpful for the catalysis understanding.

High-performance microwave absorption enabled by Co_(3)O_(4) modified VB-group laminated VS_(2) with frequency modulation from S-band to Ku-band

High performance microwave absorption(MA)materials especially those with tunable frequency are highly desirable for telecommunication industries and military camouflage in the information era.Herein,we constructed hierarchical heterostructures based on VB-group laminated vanadium disulfide(VS_(2))nanosheets embedded with cobalt tetroxide(Co_(3)O_(4))nanoparticles.The highly dispersed Co_(3)O_(4)nanoparticles generate strong electromagnetic coupling networks that could enhance the loss properties of MA materials.Moreover,the interconnected VS_(2)layered network results in dipolar/interfacial polarization,multiple reflection and scattering favorable for the enhanced MA performance.Impressively,the maximum reflection loss of the VS_(2)/Co_(3)O_(4)hybrids containing 10%Co_(3)O_(4)can reach 57.96 dB at a thin thickness of 1.57 mm,and the bandwidth with an RL value less than-10 dB is as large as 3.5 GHz.The effective MA band could be adjusted in a range of 15.1 GHz(2.9-18 GHz)from S to Ku bands by the increase in thickness from 1.2 mm to 5.5 mm.The results show that the synergistic effect of multiple loss mechanisms and good impedance matching could be the reasons for strong MA capability in nearly all frequency bands,and thus,the high-performance and lightweight MA materials could be developed by the VS_(2)/Co_(3)O_(4)hybrids.

Mechanisms and applications of layer/spinel phase transition in Li-and Mn-rich cathodes for lithium-ion batteries

Li-and Mn-rich(LMR)cathode materials have received tremendous attention due to the highly reversible specific capacity(>250 m Ah·g^(-1)).In the analysis of its crystal structure,the two-phase composite model gains increasing acceptance,and the phase transition behaviors in LMR cathode materials have been extensively studied.Herein,the structure controversy of LMR cathode materials,and the mechanisms of phase transition are summarized.Particularly,the causes of initiating or accelerating the phase transition of LMR cathode materials have been summarized into three main driving forces,i.e.,the electrochemical driving force,the component driving force and the thermodynamic driving force.Additionally,the applications of phase transition behavior in improving the electrochemical performance of LMR cathode materials,including the construction of spinel surface coating and spinel/layered hetero-structure are discussed.

Comparison of band-to-band tunneling models in Si and Si–Ge junctions

We compared several different band-to-band tunneling （BTBT） models with both Sentaurus and the two-dimensional full-band Monte Carlo simulator in Si homo-junctions and Si-Ge hetero-junctions. It was shown that in Si homo-junctions, different models could achieve similar results. However, in the Si-Ge hetero-junctions, there were significant differences among these models at high reverse biases （over 2 V）. Compared to the nonlocal model, the local models in Sentaurus underrated the BTBT rate distinctly, and the Monte Carlo method was shown to give a better approximation. Additionally, it was found that in the Si region near the interface of the Si-Ge hetero-junctions, the direct tunneling rates increased largely due to the interaction of the band structures of Si and Ge.

High-quality ZnO growth, doping, and polarization effect

The authors have reported their recent progress in the research field of ZnO materials as well as the corresponding global advance. Recent results regarding（1） the development of high-quality epitaxy techniques,（2） the defect physics and the Te/N co-doping mechanism for p-type conduction, and（3） the design, realization,and properties of the ZnMgO/ZnO hetero-structures have been shown and discussed. A complete technology of the growth of high-quality ZnO epi-films and nano-crystals has been developed. The co-doping of N plus an isovalent element to oxygen has been found to be the most hopeful path to overcome the notorious p-type hurdle. High mobility electrons have been observed in low-dimensional structures utilizing the polarization of ZnMgO and ZnO.Very different properties as well as new physics of the electrons in 2DEG and 3DES have been found as compared to the electrons in the bulk.

Highly Thermally Conductive Polydimethylsiloxane Composites with Controllable 3D GO@f-CNTs Networks via Self-sacrificing Template Method

Constructing controllable thermal conduction networks is the key to efficiently improve thermal conductivities of polymer composites.In this work,graphite oxide(GO)and functionalized carbon nanotubes(f-CNTs)are combined to prepare“Line-Plane”-like hetero-structured thermally conductive GO@f-CNTs fillers,which are then performed to construct controllable 3D GO@f-CNTs thermal conduction networks via selfsacrificing template method based on oxalic acid.Subsequently,thermally conductive GO@f-CNTs/polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)composites are fabricated via casting method.When the size of oxalic acid is 0.24 mm and the volume fraction of GO@f-CNTs is 60 vol%,GO@f-CNTs/PDMS composites present the optimal thermal conductivity coefficient(λ,4.00 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1)),about 20 times that of theλof neat PDMS(0.20 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1)),also much higher than theλ(2.44 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1))of GO/f-CNTs/PDMS composites with the same amount of randomly dispersed fillers.Meanwhile,the obtained GO@f-CNTs/PDMS composites have excellent thermal stability,whoseλdeviation is only about 3%after 500 thermal cycles(20-200℃).