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Applied Sciences
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Advanced Characterization of Functional Materials
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Advanced Characterization of Functional Materials

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Science and Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2023) | Viewed by 12912

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniel Sola

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Guest Editor
Laboratorio de Óptica (LO·UM), Centro de Investigación en Óptica y Nanofísica (CIOyN), Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
Interests: laser–polymer interaction mechanisms; laser micro- and nano-structuring of polymers; direct laser interference patterning in polymers; laser-induced period surface structures in polymers; applications of modified polymers; functional polymers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Paloma Fernández Sánchez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: semiconductor metal oxides for applications on sensing photocatalysis and optoelectronics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The fundamental understanding of the origin of functional properties of materials at the microscopic level and the development of comprehensive models to predict these properties are fields of intense research. The essential properties of these materials may be remarkably altered by the size, topology, shape of their constituent phases and surface topography, resulting in entirely different optical, mechanical, electrical, and magnetic properties.

This Special Issue covers advanced characterization techniques, including all methods of microscopy (light, 2 photons, electron, etc.), analysis (microanalysis and surface analytical techniques), and spectroscopic characterization (Raman, LIBS, laser, etc.), with topics connecting the preparation and the resulting relevant functional properties. 

It is our pleasure to invite you to submit a manuscript to this Special Issue. Full papers, short communications, and reviews would be greatly appreciated.

Dr. Daniel Sola
Prof. Dr. Paloma Fernández Sánchez
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 4135 KiB  
Article
Growth of Zr/ZrO2 Core–Shell Structures by Fast Thermal Oxidation
by Juan Francisco Ramos-Justicia, José Luis Ballester-Andújar, Ana Urbieta and Paloma Fernández
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(6), 3714; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063714 - 14 Mar 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1010
Abstract
This research has been conducted to characterize and validate resistive heating as a synthesis method for zirconium oxides (ZrO2). A wire of Zr has been oxidized to form a core–shell structure, in which the core is a metal wire, and the [...] Read more.
This research has been conducted to characterize and validate resistive heating as a synthesis method for zirconium oxides (ZrO2). A wire of Zr has been oxidized to form a core–shell structure, in which the core is a metal wire, and the shell is an oxide layer that is around 10 μm thick. The characterization of the samples has been performed by means of several techniques based on Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The topography images show that thermal gradient appears to have little influence on morphology, unlike time, which plays an important role. The chemical composition was analyzed by X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy has been used to assess crystallinity and crystal structure. The oxide layer is mainly formed by monoclinic ZrO2, alongside other, less significant, phases. Photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements have allowed us to study the distribution of defects along the shell and to confirm the degree of uniformity. The oxygen vacancies, either as isolated defects or forming complexes with impurities, play a determinant role in the luminescent processes. Color centers, mainly electron centers such as F, FA and FAA, give rise to several visible emissions extending from blue to green, with main components at around 2 eV, 2.4–2.5 eV and 2.7 eV. The differences between PL and CL in relation to distinct recombination paths are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Characterization of Functional Materials)
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17 pages, 6199 KiB  
Article
Laser-Induced Surface Modification on Wollastonite-Tricalcium Phosphate and Magnesium Oxide-Magnesium Stabilized Zirconia Eutectics for Bone Restoring Applications
by Shunheng Wang, Daniel Sola and Jose I. Peña
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(23), 12188; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122312188 - 28 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1082
Abstract
An adaptation of the laser floating zone technique is used to modify the surface properties of ceramics with interest for biomedical applications. This new method is based upon the surface remelting of ceramic rods by using laser radiation, and its versatility is demonstrated [...] Read more.
An adaptation of the laser floating zone technique is used to modify the surface properties of ceramics with interest for biomedical applications. This new method is based upon the surface remelting of ceramic rods by using laser radiation, and its versatility is demonstrated in the surface structuring of two different eutectic composites with potential application as bone substitutes. Firstly, directionally eutectic rods of wollastonite (W)–tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and magnesium oxide (MgO)–magnesium stabilized zirconia (MgSZ) were grown by the laser floating zone technique. In the case of W-TCP eutectics, materials with crystalline, glass–ceramic, or vitreous microstructure could be obtained as the growth rate was increased. In the other case, a material made up of magnesium oxide and magnesium stabilized zirconia phases arranged in fibrillar or lamellar geometry was obtained. At higher solidification rates, the rupture of the growth front gave rise to the organization of the phases in the form of colonies or cells. The laser zone remelting technique was used to remove defects and to refine the microstructure of the directionally solidified eutectic surfaces as well as to cover MgO–MgSZ rods with W–TCP glass in the eutectic composition. The study provides a promising technique that can tailor the surface properties and functionality of bone repair materials. The products’ properties and challenges in preparation procedures are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Characterization of Functional Materials)
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17 pages, 3541 KiB  
Article
Directionally Solidified Cobalt-Doped MgO-MgAl2O4 Eutectic Composites for Selective Emitters
by Rosa I. Merino, Patricia B. Oliete, Bibi Malmal Moshtaghioun, Daniel Sola and José I. Peña
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(20), 10254; https://doi.org/10.3390/app122010254 - 12 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1356
Abstract
Cobalt-doped MgO-MgAl2O4 eutectic composites were explored for their use as selective emitters for thermophotovoltaic devices. Eutectic ceramic rods with different cobalt content were directionally solidified by using the laser floating zone technique at two processing rates to obtain microstructures with [...] Read more.
Cobalt-doped MgO-MgAl2O4 eutectic composites were explored for their use as selective emitters for thermophotovoltaic devices. Eutectic ceramic rods with different cobalt content were directionally solidified by using the laser floating zone technique at two processing rates to obtain microstructures with different domain sizes. Thermal emission between 1000 °C and 1500 °C and optical properties (reflectance and transmittance) at room temperature were measured in the Co-doped composites and the effect on microstructure and cobalt content was investigated. Thermal emission consisted of an intense broad band at about 1.67 µm matching with the bandgap of the InGaAs cell. The emission was ascribed to the de-excitation from the 4T1(F) multiplet to the 4A2(F) ground state of the thermally excited Co ions located in the tetrahedral sites of the MgAl2O4 phase. The selectivity of the thermal emission showed a decrease with the cobalt content due to the enhancement of other electronic transitions, which leads to keeping the cobalt content in these composites at low levels (<0.15% at Co) for their use as selective emitters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Characterization of Functional Materials)
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14 pages, 7788 KiB  
Article
Characterization, Luminescence and Optical Resonant Modes of Eu-Li Co-Doped ZnO Nano- and Microstructures
by Fernanado Pavón, Ana Urbieta and Paloma Fernández
Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(14), 6948; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12146948 - 08 Jul 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 8715
Abstract
ZnO nano- and microstructures co-doped with Eu and Li with different nominal concentrations of Li were grown using a solid vapor method. Different morphologies were obtained depending on the initial Li content in the precursors, varying from hexagonal rods which grow on the [...] Read more.
ZnO nano- and microstructures co-doped with Eu and Li with different nominal concentrations of Li were grown using a solid vapor method. Different morphologies were obtained depending on the initial Li content in the precursors, varying from hexagonal rods which grow on the pellet when no Li is added to ribbons to sword-like structures growing onto the alumina boat as the Li amount increases. The changes in the energy of the crystallographic planes leading to variations in the growth directions were responsible for these morphological differences, as Electron Backscattered Diffraction analysis shows. The crystalline quality of the structures was investigated by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, showing that all the structures grow in the ZnO wurtzite phase. The luminescence properties were also studied by means of both Cathodoluminescence (CL) and Photoluminescence (PL). Although the typical ZnO luminescence bands centered at 3.2 and 2.4 eV could be observed in all cases, variations in their relative intensity and small shifts in the peak position were found in the different samples. Furthermore, emissions related to intrashell transitions of Eu3+ ion were clearly visible. The good characteristics of the luminescent emissions and the high refraction index open the door to the fabrication of optical resonant cavities that allow the integration in optoelectronic devices. To study the optical cavity behavior of the grown structures, µ-PL investigations were performed. We demonstrated that the structures not only act as waveguides but also that Fabry–Perot optical resonant modes are established inside. Quality factors around 1000 in the UV region were obtained, which indicates the possibility of using these structures in photonics applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Characterization of Functional Materials)
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