Using first-principles density functional calculations, we show that ferroelectricity can be induced in simple alkaline-earth-metal binary oxides such as barium oxide (BaO) using appropriate epitaxial strains. Going beyond the fundamental discovery, we highlight that the functional properties (polarization, dielectric constant, and piezoelectric response) of such strained binary oxides are comp...

INTRODUCTION With the present downscaling of MOS devices, gate oxides have been pushed towards their limit regarding leakage current and reliability. In this context, traditional dry oxides are expected to be limited to at least 1.6nm[1]-2.5nm[2]. In this paper, new RTP process, socalled ISSG (In Situ Steam Generated) oxidation, is proposed as an alternative for thickness as thin as 1.5nm2.5nm....

The mechanical properties, including the Young's modulus and intrinsic strength, of graphene oxides are investigated by first-principles computations. Structural models of both ordered and amorphous graphene oxides are considered and compared. For the ordered graphene oxides, the Young's modulus is found to vary from 380 to 470 GPa as the coverage of oxygen groups changes, respectively. The cor...

Biogenic Mn oxides exert important controls on trace metal cycling in aquatic and soil environments. A Mn-oxidizing bacterium Bacillus sp. WH4 was isolated from Fe-Mn nodules of an agrudalf in central China. The biogenic Mn oxides formed by mediation of this Mn oxidizing microorganism were identified as short-ranged and nano-sized Mn oxides. Cd adsorption isotherms, pH effect on adsorption and ...

Recently, transition metal oxides, such as ruthenium oxide (RuO₂), manganese dioxide (MnO₂), nickel oxides (NiO) and cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄), have been widely investigated as electrode materials for pseudo-capacitors. In particular, these metal oxides with mesoporous structures have become very hot nanomaterials in the field of supercapacitors owing to their large specific surface areas and suitab...

Transition metal oxides are widely used in solar cells, batteries, transistors, memories, transparent conductive electrodes, photocatalysts, gas sensors, supercapacitors, and smart windows. In many of these applications, large surface areas and pore volumes can enhance molecular adsorption, facilitate ion transfer, and increase interfacial areas; the formation of complex oxides (mixed, doped, m...

The contribution of free iron oxides to positive and negative charge distribution has been studied on soils and synthetic kaolinite-iron oxide complexes over a wide range ofpH values. The charge on the iron oxides is pH-dependent, being positive at low and negative at high pH values, respectively, and accounts for a considerable proportion of the pHdependent negative charge in soils. Iron oxide...

A leaching experiment using a mixture of five REE oxides and gravelly, sandy loam soils was conducted to examine the applicability of the REE oxides as a sediment tracer for coarse-textured soils. The experiment showed little leaching of the oxides and an enrichment of various size classes of soil particles with the oxides, which reflected the strong binding capability of the REE oxides with th...

Magnetism is not usually expected in simple sp oxides like MgO or in carbons like graphite. Yet basic intrinsic defects in these systems can be magnetic in ways that seem to be shared by more complex oxides. A second puzzle comes from reports of possible room temperature ferromagnetism in simple oxides, where experiments are not always in agreement. This paper discusses what determines whether ...

Cholesterol oxides are atherogenic and can affect the activity of diverse important enzymes for the lipidic metabolism. The effect of 7b-hydroxycholesterol, 7-ketocholesterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, cholestan-3b,5a,6b-triol,5,6b-epoxycholesterol, 5,6a-epoxycholesterol and 7a-hydroxycholesterol on esterification of cholesterol by lecithin:cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT, EC 2.3.1.43) and the ...