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Oxidation Numbers

Oxidation Numbers

In redox reactions, the transfer of electrons occurs between reacting species. Electron transfer is described by a hypothetical number called the oxidation number (or oxidation state). It represents the effective charge of an atom or element, which is assigned using a set of rules.

Alkali Metals

Alkali Metals

Group 1 elements are soft and shiny metallic solids. They are malleable, ductile, and good conductors of heat and electricity. The melting points of the alkali metals are unusually low for metals and decrease going down the group, while the density increases going down the group with the exception of potassium (Table 1).
Table 1: Properties of the alkali metals

Properties of Transition Metals

Properties of Transition Metals

Transition metals are defined as those elements that have partially filled d orbitals. As shown in Figure 1, the d-block elements in groups 3–12 are transition elements. The f-block elements, also called inner transition metals (the lanthanides and actinides), also meet this criterion because the d orbital is partially occupied before the f orbitals.

Metal-Ligand Bonds

Metal-Ligand Bonds

The hemoglobin in the blood, the chlorophyll in green plants, vitamin B-12, and the catalyst used in the manufacture of polyethylene all contain coordination compounds. Ions of the metals, especially the transition metals, are likely to form complexes.
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation–Reduction Reactions

Protein-protein Interfaces

Protein-protein Interfaces

Many proteins form complexes to carry out their functions, making protein-protein interactions (PPIs) essential for an organism's survival. Most PPIs are stabilized by numerous weak noncovalent chemical forces. The physical shape of the interfaces determines the way two proteins interact. Many globular proteins have closely-matching shapes on their surfaces, which form a large number of weak bonds. Additionally, many PPIs occur between two helices or between a surface cleft and a...

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Metal Oxide Nanocomposites: A Perspective from Strain, Defect, and Interface.

Aiping Chen¹, Qing Su², Hyungkyu Han¹

¹Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT), Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, 87545, USA.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|October 29, 2018

Summary

Vertically aligned nanocomposite thin films offer tunable properties by controlling strain, defects, and interfaces. This research summarizes advancements in manipulating these nanostructured materials for energy and IT applications.

Keywords:

defects functional properties interfaces strain vertical nanocomposites

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Area of Science:

Materials Science
Nanotechnology
Thin Film Physics

Background:

Vertically aligned nanocomposite thin films with ordered phases grown epitaxially on substrates are of significant interest.
These films possess unique nanostructures with large vertical interfacial areas, controllable strain, and defects.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the progress in vertically aligned nanocomposite thin films.
To highlight the tuning of functionalities through control of strain, defect, and interface.

Main Methods:

Epitaxial growth of ordered two-phase nanocomposite thin films.
Characterization of nanostructure, strain, and defects.
Analysis of the interplay between strain, defect, and interface for property manipulation.

Main Results:

Demonstration of control over vertical lattice strain and defects.
Establishment of the relationship between material properties and interfacial phenomena.
Advancement from basic growth to functionality tuning.

Conclusions:

Vertically aligned nanocomposite thin films provide a platform for manipulating material properties.
The control of strain, defect, and interface is key to tuning functionalities.
These materials show potential for applications in energy conversion and information technology.