Advances in Phase Change Materials

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Phase transition phenomena occur in a wide range of materials, such as ferroelectrics, vanadium oxides, and other tunable and switchable dielectric materials. Such materials can present obvious changes in electrical and electrical characteristics triggered by multiphysics fields, including temperature, electric field, laser, and stress. This has attracted increased attention for the varied possibilities that can emerge, ranging from physical mechanisms to the electrical and optical applications of various phase transition materials. Progress in materials synthesis, nanotechnology, film deposition, etc. further promotes the design of higher-quality samples for advanced properties and applications.

Topics covered include but are not limited to:

• Fundamentals of phase transition materials and applications;
• Chemistry process in the synthesis of phase transition materials;
• Advanced synthesis or fabrication technology for phase transition materials;
• Phase transition mechanisms;
• Emergent materials with phase transition properties;
• Phase transition phenomena investigated using new optical or electrical methods;
• Interdisciplinary research in phase transition materials.

Dr. Qiwu Shi
Prof. Dr. Liguo Zhu
Dr. Kirill I. Zaytsev
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Chemistry chemistry	2.1	2.5	2019	19.1 Days	CHF 1800
Materials materials	3.4	5.2	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600
Molecules molecules	4.6	6.7	1996	14.6 Days	CHF 2700
Nanomaterials nanomaterials	5.3	7.4	2010	13.6 Days	CHF 2900

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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9 pages, 3019 KiB  

Open AccessCommunication

Sol-Gel Derived Tungsten Doped VO₂ Thin Films on Si Substrate with Tunable Phase Transition Properties

by Xiaoming Ding, Yanli Li and Yubo Zhang

Molecules 2023, 28(9), 3778; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28093778 - 27 Apr 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1371

Abstract

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) with semiconductor-metal phase transition characteristics has presented great application potential in various optoelectrical smart devices. However, the preparation of doped VO₂ film with a lower phase transition threshold on Si substrate needs more investigation for the exploration [...] Read more.

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) with semiconductor-metal phase transition characteristics has presented great application potential in various optoelectrical smart devices. However, the preparation of doped VO₂ film with a lower phase transition threshold on Si substrate needs more investigation for the exploration of silicon-based VO₂ devices. In this work, the VO₂ films doped with different contents of W element were fabricated on high-purity Si substrate, assisted with a post-annealing process. The films exhibited good crystallinity and uniform thickness. The X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations illustrated that W element can be doped into the lattice of VO₂ and lead to small lattice distortion. In turn, the in situ FT-IR measurements indicated that the phase transition temperature of the VO₂ films can be decreased continuously with W doping content. Simultaneously, the doping would lead to largely enhanced conductivity in the film, which results in reduced optical transmittance. This work provides significant insights into the design of doped VO₂ films for silicon-based devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Phase Change Materials)

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12 pages, 6524 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Nanoscale Phase Change Material Array by Sub-Resolution Assist Feature for Storage Class Memory Application

by Jiarui Zhang, Wencheng Fang, Ruobing Wang, Chengxing Li, Jia Zheng, Xixi Zou, Sannian Song, Zhitang Song and Xilin Zhou

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(6), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13061050 - 15 Mar 2023

Viewed by 1700

Abstract

High density phase change memory array requires both minimized critical dimension (CD) and maximized process window for the phase change material layer. High in-wafer uniformity of the nanoscale patterning of chalcogenides material is challenging given the optical proximity effect (OPE) in the lithography [...] Read more.

High density phase change memory array requires both minimized critical dimension (CD) and maximized process window for the phase change material layer. High in-wafer uniformity of the nanoscale patterning of chalcogenides material is challenging given the optical proximity effect (OPE) in the lithography process and the micro-loading effect in the etching process. In this study, we demonstrate an approach to fabricate high density phase change material arrays with half-pitch down to around 70 nm by the co-optimization of lithography and plasma etching process. The focused-energy matrix was performed to improve the pattern process window of phase change material on a 12-inch wafer. A variety of patternings from an isolated line to a dense pitch line were investigated using immersion lithography system. The collapse of the edge line is observed due to the OPE induced shrinkage in linewidth, which is deteriorative as the patterning density increases. The sub-resolution assist feature (SRAF) was placed to increase the width of the lines at both edges of each patterning by taking advantage of the optical interference between the main features and the assistant features. The survival of the line at the edges is confirmed with around a 70 nm half-pitch feature in various arrays. A uniform etching profile across the pitch line pattern of phase change material was demonstrated in which the micro-loading effect and the plasma etching damage were significantly suppressed by co-optimizing the etching parameters. The results pave the way to achieve high density device arrays with improved uniformity and reliability for mass storage applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Phase Change Materials)

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12 pages, 4089 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Field-Driven Magnetic Phase Diagram and Vortex Stability in Fe Nanometric Square Prisms

by Mauricio Galvis, Fredy Mesa and Johans Restrepo

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4243; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234243 - 29 Nov 2022

Viewed by 1378

Abstract

In this work, we deal with the zero temperature hysteretic properties of iron ($\mathrm{Fe}$) quadrangular nanoprisms and the size conditions underlying magnetic vortex states formation. Different aspect ratios of a square base prism of thickness t with free boundary conditions were [...] Read more.

In this work, we deal with the zero temperature hysteretic properties of iron ($\mathrm{Fe}$) quadrangular nanoprisms and the size conditions underlying magnetic vortex states formation. Different aspect ratios of a square base prism of thickness t with free boundary conditions were considered in order to summarize our results in a proposal of a field-driven magnetic phase diagram where such vortex states are stable along the hysteresis loops. To do that, a Hamiltonian consisting of exchange, magnetostatic, Zeeman and cubic anisotropy energies was considered. The time dynamics at each magnetic field step was performed by solving the time-dependent Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert differential equation. The micromagnetic simulations were performed using the Ubermag package based on the Object Oriented Micromagnetic Framework (OOMMF). Circular magnetic textures were also characterized by means of topological charge calculations. The aspect ratio dependencies of the coercive force, nucleation and annihilation fields are also analyzed. Computations agree with related experimental observations and other micromagnetic calculations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Phase Change Materials)

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9 pages, 1523 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Mathematical Model for Sublimation of a Thin Film in Trace Explosive Detection Problem

by Olga B. Kudryashova and Sergey S. Titov

Molecules 2022, 27(22), 7939; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27227939 - 16 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1043

Abstract

Here, we introduce an advanced mathematical model for the sublimation of thin films of explosives. The model relies on the Hertz–Knudsen–Langmuir (HKL) equation that describes the vaporization rate of an explosive and controls the mass exchange between the surface and the ambient air. [...] Read more.

Here, we introduce an advanced mathematical model for the sublimation of thin films of explosives. The model relies on the Hertz–Knudsen–Langmuir (HKL) equation that describes the vaporization rate of an explosive and controls the mass exchange between the surface and the ambient air. The latest experimental data on sublimation and diffusion of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) monocrystals were factored in, as well as the data on the sublimation rate of hexogen (RDX), octogen (HMX), and picramide (TNA) traces. To advance the mathematical model we suggested previously, we took into account the structure of a substrate on which a thin explosive layer was deposited. The measurement problem of the sublimation rate and limits of an explosive arises from developing and advancing remote detection methods for explosives traces. Using mathematical modelling, we can identify a detectable quantity of a specific explosive under given conditions. We calculated the mass of the explosive in the air upon sublimation of thin explosive films from the surfaces over a wide range of the parameters in question and made conclusions regarding the application limits of the devised standoff trace explosive detection techniques. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Phase Change Materials)

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19 pages, 6701 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Multiple-Stimuli-Responsive Amphiphilic Copolymer for Antifouling and Antibacterial Functionality via a “Resistance–Kill–Release” Mechanism

by Xiaohan Liao, Kai Niu, Feng Liu and Yongming Zhang

Molecules 2022, 27(16), 5059; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165059 - 09 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1786

Abstract

In recent years, polymers with stimuli-responsive properties have been increasingly reported on due to their diverse applications. However, most of the studies have only focused on the performance of polymers under specific scenarios. The laws of changes in the properties in response to [...] Read more.

In recent years, polymers with stimuli-responsive properties have been increasingly reported on due to their diverse applications. However, most of the studies have only focused on the performance of polymers under specific scenarios. The laws of changes in the properties in response to various external stimuli have been less systematically and quantitatively studied. In this paper, we prepared an amphiphilic polymer (PadaMX and PAdaM3QA−X) with temperature-, pH-, ion-, and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD)-responsive properties. According to the cloud point tested by the UV-Vis method, the lower critical soluble temperature (LCST) of PAdaM3QA−10% was more sensitive to a change in pH and less sensitive to a change in ions compared with PadaM3 due to quaternized side chains with a stronger intramolecular mutual repulsion. We then fabricated the coatings with responsive properties by immobilizing the adamantyl groups on β-CD-modified surfaces. The hydrophilicity of the coatings was improved after quaternization, as proven by the water contact angle (WCA) measurement. The antifouling and antibacterial performance was further evaluated via the fluorescence intensity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorbed on the surfaces and the spread plate method. A 78.4% BSA desorption rate and a 96.8% sterilization rate were achieved by the PAdaM3QA−10% coating. In summary, this work prepared a multiple-stimuli-responsive amphiphilic copolymer for antifouling and antibacterial functionality via a “resistance–kill–release” mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Phase Change Materials)

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