Applied Surface Science Advances最新文献

{"title":"Unraveling the role of sponge matrix in the design of a 3D nature-inspired TiO2-based photocatalyst for ketoprofen removal from wastewater","authors":"Marta Jaruga,&nbsp;Michał Cegłowski,&nbsp;Adam Kubiak","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100858","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100858","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite growing interest in bioinspired photocatalytic systems, the influence of natural sponge-derived scaffolds on TiO₂-based photocatalyst performance has not been comprehensively investigated. This study investigates the influence of four biomimetic scaffolds—marine sponge, <em>Luffa cylindrica</em>, silk, and konjac—on the physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of TiO₂-based composites designed for the removal of ketoprofen from wastewater. A one-step immobilization procedure was employed to deposit TiO₂ nanoparticles onto pretreated natural matrices, yielding structurally stable and porous three-dimensional photocatalysts. Comprehensive material characterization confirmed the formation of TiO₂ with uniform surface distribution and preserved scaffold morphology. The materials were evaluated under UV-A LED irradiation in both model and real conditions. Photocatalytic degradation followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, with the marine sponge-based composite (MS_TiO₂) exhibiting the highest performance (up to 90 % removal efficiency), attributed to its high porosity, improved light penetration, and effective charge separation. Interestingly, surface Ti content did not correlate directly with activity, underscoring the significance of oxide dispersion and accessibility over total loading. The degradation pathway of ketoprofen was elucidated using ESI-MS, while ecotoxicity of intermediates was assessed via ECOSAR modeling, indicating progressive detoxification. Reusability tests confirmed long-term stability of the MS_TiO₂ system. The findings demonstrate that scaffold selection critically affects photocatalyst architecture and performance, offering a rational route toward scalable, sustainable materials for pharmaceutical removal in wastewater treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100858"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution via intrinsic electric fields in 2D Janus AlXY2 (X = Ga, In; Y = S, Se, Te) monolayers","authors":"Talha Zafer ,&nbsp;Nabil Khossossi ,&nbsp;Poulumi Dey","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100851","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100851","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Photocatalytic water splitting represents a promising approach for sustainable hydrogen production, with two-dimensional Janus materials offering unique advantages through intrinsic electric fields that enhance charge separation. We present a comprehensive first-principles investigation of Janus AlXY<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span> (X = Ga, In; Y = S, Se, Te) monolayers using density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. All six systems exhibit excellent structural, thermal, and mechanical stability with HSE06 bandgaps of 2.029–2.969 eV suitable for UV-light absorption. The asymmetric structure generates strong intrinsic electric fields of 5.391–6.437 V perpendicular to the monolayer plane, significantly enhancing photogenerated charge carrier separation. While pristine monolayers show poor hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity with Gibbs free energies of 1.937–2.371 eV, strategic introduction of metal vacancies dramatically improves performance, reducing <span><math><mi>Δ</mi></math></span>G<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mi>H</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> values to −0.371 to ＋0.607 eV and approaching optimal catalytic conditions. These findings demonstrate the potential of defect-engineered 2D Janus AlXY<span><math><msub><mrow></mrow><mrow><mn>2</mn></mrow></msub></math></span> materials for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"30 ","pages":"Article 100851"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145108006","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surface engineering of carbon nanotube films via pyrene grafting for high-performance flexible supercapacitors","authors":"Se Eun Jeong ,&nbsp;Junghwan Kim ,&nbsp;Dongju Lee ,&nbsp;Dae-Yoon Kim ,&nbsp;Jun Yeon Hwang ,&nbsp;Nam Dong Kim ,&nbsp;Jungwon Kim ,&nbsp;Nam Ho You ,&nbsp;Bon-Cheol Ku ,&nbsp;Seo Gyun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100841","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100841","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The performance of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based supercapacitors has been limited by their low surface area and lack of redox-active sites. Herein, we present a simple and scalable method to functionalize single-walled CNTs with pyrene moieties through radical grafting, enabled by thermal desulfonation of sulfonated pyrene. To enhance grafting efficiency, CNTs were intentionally shortened, increasing the number of reactive ends. The resulting pyrene-grafted short CNTs (PYgSCNTs) exhibited increased surface area and redox functionality without compromising the intrinsic electrical and mechanical properties of CNTs. Morphological and structural analyses confirmed successful grafting and formation of mesoporous structures. Electrochemical characterization revealed that PYgSCNT films deliver significantly improved capacitance, achieving a specific capacitance of 59.2 F g⁻¹, excellent rate capability, and stable cycling over 2000 cycles. A flexible supercapacitor device fabricated using PYgSCNT films as electrodes demonstrated a high volumetric energy density of 8.9 mW h cm⁻³ and power density of 878 mW cm⁻³, surpassing the performance of conventional CNT-containing devices. This work offers a non-destructive, solution-processable approach for surface engineering of CNTs, opening new avenues for the development of high-performance, flexible energy storage systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100841"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145007360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Real-time prediction of dielectric properties in a HZO-Based thin-film capacitor using deep learning","authors":"Dong Yeol Shin ,&nbsp;Jeesoo Lee ,&nbsp;Yewon Han ,&nbsp;Sunghwan Choi ,&nbsp;Kyung-Tae Kang","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100848","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100848","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The dielectric properties of hafnium–zirconium oxide (HZO)-based thin-film capacitors are critical for optimizing device performance and improving device reliability. Conventional methods for characterizing these properties rely on direct electrical measurements, which are time-consuming and unsuitable for large-scale semiconductor production. This study presents an AI-based method that rapidly predicts the dielectric properties of HZO thin films from microscopic image data. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model was trained to infer dielectric behavior based on color changes induced by post-metal annealing (PMA) process conditions. These surface color variations are directly linked to internal structural phase transitions, supporting the use of optical features as indicators of dielectric phase states. The model achieved prediction accuracies of 63 % and 50 % when trained on image data from HZO and Mo regions in HZO thin-film capacitors, respectively. Using combined image data from both regions improved accuracy to 88 %, highlighting the significance of capturing both HZO crystal structure changes and Mo electrode oxidation effects. This AI-based inspection technique enables rapid, non-contact classification of dielectric properties at the chip level before the packaging process, offering a practical tool for early detection and process optimization in semiconductor manufacturing. In addition, this AI-based imaging inspection may work as a sensor module for the real-time feedback control system to achieve the targeted dielectric properties. While demonstrated on HZO, the approach can be extended to other thin-film materials where physical or chemical changes affect surface appearance, providing a scalable and cost-effective platform for inline quality control across various device fabrication processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100848"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Light extraction enhancement of ZnO-based heterojunction light-emitting diode with roughened-ZnO surface","authors":"Jian-An Chen ,&nbsp;Shu-Min Tasi,&nbsp;Guan-Ting Lin,&nbsp;Chia-Hsun Chen,&nbsp;Day-Shan Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100856","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100856","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A hydrochloric acid (HCl)-etched ZnO surface was developed to enhance the light extraction efficiency (LEE) of the ZnO/GaN heterojunction light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This roughened surface led to the scattering of the incident light and resulted in the apparent enhancement of the film’s photoluminescence. It also showed better ohmic contact to the electrode ITO/Ag/ITO structure. The light output power density of the resulting LED was significantly higher than that of the referenced LED without the surface roughening process. Moreover, the roughened surface was beneficial for the current spreading of the injecting current. Accordingly, the luminance radiation from this device could be further optimized at an elevated injection current.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100856"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145094893","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Equilibrium and dynamics of single-peptide binding to aluminum oxides: Emphasizing the role of local surface charge and hydrophobicity","authors":"Joanne Lê-Chesnais ,&nbsp;Christophe Méthivier ,&nbsp;Daniela Rodriguez ,&nbsp;Christophe Humbert ,&nbsp;Jean-François Lambert ,&nbsp;Jessem Landoulsi","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100840","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100840","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the interactions between biomolecules and mineral surfaces is a fundamental challenge at the crossroads of colloid science, surface chemistry, and molecular biophysics. While peptides and amino acids are known to bind a variety of metal oxides, our understanding remains limited regarding how local surface characteristics influence these interactions at the nanoscale. This is particularly important for “real surfaces” which intrinsically exhibit heterogenous features that determines their behavior when interacting with biomolecules. Herein, we present a fresh perspective that focuses on probing local surface properties and dipeptide (Glu-Ala) binding on oxides grown on polycrystalline aluminum metal at the single-molecule level. First, a comprehensive surface characterization is performed to resolve the chemical composition and topography of two different native aluminum oxide surfaces. Then, by using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in force spectroscopy mode, we employ chemical force microscopy and colloidal probe techniques to quantify local surface charge and hydrophobicity, revealing noticeable differences between the two studied surfaces. Our findings demonstrate that both free enthalpies of adsorption (Δ_ads<em>G</em>°) and kinetic unbinding rates (<em>k</em>_off) are highly influenced by the surface characteristics probed locally, and suggest that the interaction of the dipeptide with the surfaces is dominated by van der Waals and hydrogen bonding. Beyond these fundamental insights regarding peptide–mineral interactions, this work provides methodological developments that are relevant for exploring molecular recognition mechanism, particularly on “real” oxide surfaces. Additionally, the implications of our findings extend to the design of peptide-functionalized materials and offer new perspectives on surface-mediated prebiotic chemistry, potentially relevant to the emergence of life on early Earth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100840"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044762","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Field-free highly efficient spin-orbit torque switching in Fe3GaTe2 at room temperature enabled by a unique distorted crystal symmetry of WTe2","authors":"Pradeep Raj Sharma ,&nbsp;Bogeun Jang ,&nbsp;Gaojie Zhang ,&nbsp;Wen Jin ,&nbsp;Haixin Chang ,&nbsp;Jongill Hong","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100847","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100847","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spin-orbit torque (SOT) is a highly viable mechanism for achieving low-energy and high-speed switching in spintronic devices. Two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) materials and their heterostructures have proven their scalability and energy effectiveness for device operation. Here, we demonstrate that SOT can be robustly realized in a heterostructure composed of the 2D-vdW ferromagnetic material (FM) Fe₃GaTe₂ (FGaT) and the 2D-vdW topological semimetal WTe₂ at room temperature. The anisotropic Fermi surface originating from the uniquely reduced crystal symmetry of WTe₂ enables field-free deterministic SOT switching. We report an unprecedentedly low threshold switching current density of 6.5 × 10⁹ A <em>m</em>⁻² at zero field and a spin Hall angle (<span><math><mrow><msub><mi>θ</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>H</mi></mrow></msub><mrow><mo>)</mo></mrow></mrow></math></span> of 8.5. These results demonstrate a nearly 100-fold improvement in device performance over all previously reported 3D heavy metal (HM)/FM systems, supported by a second harmonic-modulated nonlinear signal measurement implemented to ensure SOT analysis and reliability. The spin Hall conductivity <span><math><mrow><mo>(</mo><msub><mi>σ</mi><mrow><mi>S</mi><mi>H</mi></mrow></msub><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span> and the switching power density <span><math><mrow><mo>(</mo><msub><mi>P</mi><mrow><mi>s</mi><mi>w</mi></mrow></msub><mo>)</mo></mrow></math></span> reported are about 1.3 × 10⁶ S <em>m</em>⁻¹ and 0.33 × 10¹⁵ W <em>m</em>⁻³, respectively, supporting the efficient device performance at low power consumption. Our result highlights that Fe₃GaTe₂, coupled with the strong spin–orbit coupling and low crystal symmetry of WTe₂, in the form of 2D-vdW heterostructure (WTe₂/Fe₃GaTe₂), offers a promising platform for generating substantial torque on magnetization at room temperature. This leads to more efficient and easier switching, paving the way for developing next-generation, highly advanced, room-temperature spin-electronic devices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100847"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145007351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nitrogen-doped mesoporous nickel cobaltite for oxygen evolution and urea oxidation reactions","authors":"Niranjanmurthi Lingappan,&nbsp;Wonoh Lee","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100844","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100844","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Doping nitrogen atoms into spinel metal oxides enhances the electrical conductivity and boosts the catalytic active sites, which are favorable properties for catalytic applications such as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR). However, nitrogen doping approach suffers from lack of exposed surface sites, complicated process, and required expensive gas source, limiting their efficiency and implementation. In this study, a two-step process, combining self-assembly strategy, followed by hydrazine vapor treatment was employed to synthesize a nitrogen-doped mesoporous spinel nickel cobalt oxide catalyst (N@m-NiCo₂O₄) active for both OER and UOR. Structural modulation <em>via</em> self-assembly produced a mesoporous architecture with an enlarged surface area, which facilitated hydrazine vapor diffusion, enabling effective nitrogen doping, the formation of abundant oxygen vacancies, and enhanced electrical conductivity. As a result, the N@m-NiCo₂O₄ catalyst exhibited excellent OER activity, with an onset potential of 1.49 V and a Tafel slope of 44 mV dec^‑1, as well as outstanding UOR performance, delivering a low overpotential of 330 mV at a high current density of 500 mA cm^-2. These findings highlight the importance of integrating a porous structural design with improved electrical conductivity to achieve superior catalytic efficiency. This effective strategy may also be extended to other spinel metal oxides for diverse electrochemical energy applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100844"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145044763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Scale influence in surface design regarding laser structures for adhesion enhancement in polymer-metal hybrids: A fractal dimension approach","authors":"Niclas Hanisch ,&nbsp;Philipp Steinert ,&nbsp;Thomas Lindner ,&nbsp;Hendrik Liborius ,&nbsp;Andreas Schubert ,&nbsp;Thomas Lampke","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100838","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100838","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Surface structuring enhances adhesion, particularly at the interface of polymer-metal hybrids. Therefore, laser beam machining is well-established. However, the influence of scaling of such structures was not sufficiently determined yet. Correlating surface structure to functional properties, especially the adhesion strength, offers opportunities for further optimization in surface design and in processing. Therefore, the fractal dimension was employed to establish a quantitative correlation and to investigate the influence of structure scaling on groove structures in aluminum 6082 specimens for subsequent joining to a polymer counterpart as well as on modeled groove structures. Regardless of the actual groove widths, similar values of the fractal dimension for similar aspect-ratios were calculated – approximately 1.09, 1.13, and 1.16 for the structure densities 10 %, 20 %, and 30 %, respectively. For both cases (virtual, experimental) the fractal dimension acts as a scale-independent measure. Finally, the adhesion strength from 3.5 MPa to 18.5 MPa in lap shear tests occurred – despite partially within the standard deviation – independently of the scaling as well. Furthermore, a direct correlation between fractal dimension and adhesion strength is indicated (<em>R</em>² &gt; 0.94). In conclusion, the suitability of the fractal dimension as quantitative design criterion and the feasibility of scaling for structuring were substantiated.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100838"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144921313","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low-temperature, high-throughput spatial atomic layer deposition of NiOx nanocrystalline thin films from [Ni(ipki)2]","authors":"Samuel Porcar ,&nbsp;Marcel Schmickler ,&nbsp;Hayri Okcu ,&nbsp;Jorit Obenlüneschloß ,&nbsp;Stefano d’Ercole ,&nbsp;Laura Cervera- Gabalda ,&nbsp;Itziar Galarreta-Rodriguez ,&nbsp;Juan Rubio-Zuazo ,&nbsp;Jaime Gonzalez Cuadra ,&nbsp;Abderahim Lahlahi ,&nbsp;Diego Fraga ,&nbsp;Camilo Sanchez-Velasquez ,&nbsp;Daniel Bellet ,&nbsp;Thomas Fix ,&nbsp;Juan B. Carda ,&nbsp;Anjana Devi ,&nbsp;David Muñoz-Rojas","doi":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100836","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.apsadv.2025.100836","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) is a recent ALD variant enabling much faster deposition rates, even at atmospheric pressure, making it ideal for scalable, low-cost devices. NiO_x, a transparent p-type oxide, is widely used in emerging technologies like perovskite solar cells. However, no suitable SALD process for NiO thin films has been reported so far. In this work, we present the deposition of nanocrystalline NiO_x thin films via SALD using a recent Ni precursor not yet explored for the ALD of NiO, namely, bis(4-(isopropylamino)pent-3en-2-onato)nickel(II) or [Ni(ⁱpki)₂]. O₂ has been used as coreactant, with higher deposition rates being achieved if H₂O is added to the O₂ flow. A narrow ALD window has been obtained between 230 °C and 250 °C, where a GPC of 0.023 nm is observed. This corresponds to a deposition rate of 1.4 nm/min, which is 2 to 10 times faster than the rates reported for conventional ALD of NiO thin films. Remarkably, the growth onset of NiO_x starts around only 170 °C. The transmittance of the films reaches nearly 97 % in the visible for 55 nm thick films. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed a high homogeneity of the films. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies confirm the presence of a cubic NiO_x crystalline phase. Finally, NiO_x films have been deposited on Ag nanowire networks, demonstrating the possibility of depositing homogeneous and conformal coatings with this new process.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":34303,"journal":{"name":"Applied Surface Science Advances","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100836"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144932069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}