Microstructures

Latest Issues

Volume 3, Issue 1 (in progress)

Volume 2, Issue 4

Volume 2, Issue 3

Volume 2, Issue 2

Volume 2, Issue 1

Volume 1, Issue 1

Advances in conducting polymer-based thermoelectric materials and devices

Tianyi Cao, ... Zhi-Gang Chen

Review|Published on: 30 Sep 2021
Design of super-elastic freestanding ferroelectric thin films guided by phase-field simulations

Changqing Guo, Houbing Huang

Review|Published on: 13 Oct 2022

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Announcement

Computational Modeling of Flexoelectric Energy Harvesters

Speaker: Professor Timon Rabczuk, Institute of Structural Mechanics, Bauhaus-University Weimar, Germany.

Accepted Manuscripts

Triethanolamine assisted synthesis of bimetallic Nickel Cobalt Nitride/Nitrogen-doped carbon hollow nanoflowers for supercapacitor

Qiao Luo, Congcong Lu, Lingran Liu, Maiyong Zhu

Research Article
Recent progress on alloy-based anode materials for potassium-ion batteries

Qiuran Yang, Qining Fan, Jian Peng, Shulei Chou, Huakun Liu, Jiazhao Wang

Review

Articles

Elastic properties and Ion-mediated domain switching of self-assembled heterostructures CuInP₂S₆-In_4/3P₂S₆

Xiangping Zhang, ... Jiawang Hong

Microstructures 2023;3:2023010. DOI: 10.20517/microstructures.2022.39

Abstract
Van der Waals (vdW) ferroelectric CuInP₂S₆ (CIPS) has attracted intense research interest due to its ... MORE

Van der Waals (vdW) ferroelectric CuInP₂S₆ (CIPS) has attracted intense research interest due to its unique ferroelectric properties that make it promising for potential applications in flexible electronic devices. A mechanical mean, or so-called strain gradient engineering, has been proven as an effective method to modulate its ferroelectric properties, but the key parameter elastic constants C_ij has not been accurately measured. Here, we utilized nanoindentation and contact resonance atomic force microscopy (CR-AFM) techniques to measure the elastic modulus on the (001) plane of nanoscale phase separated CuInP₂S₆-In_4/3P₂S₆ (CIPS-IPS). The Young’s modulus of the CIPS was slightly less than that of the IPS. Density Functional Theory was introduced to obtain the accurate full elastic constant C_ij of CIPS and IPS, and we deduced their respective Young’s moduli, all of which are in good agreement with our experimental values. We further discovered the asymmetrical domain switching and proposed an ion-mediated domain switching model. The results provide a reliable experimental reference for strain gradient engineering in the phase field simulation in CIPS-IPS. LESS Full article

Research Article|Published on: 17 Jan 2023

Full-Text | PDF-5M
Energy storage properties of NaNbO₃-based lead-free superparaelectrics with large antiferrodistortion

Guanfu Liu, ... He Qi

Microstructures 2023;3:2023009. DOI: 10.20517/microstructures.2022.29

Abstract
NaNbO₃-based lead-free energy storage ceramics are essential candidates for next-generation pulsed power capacitors, especially under ... MORE

NaNbO₃-based lead-free energy storage ceramics are essential candidates for next-generation pulsed power capacitors, especially under the background of energy saving and environmental protection. However, the room-temperature antiferroelectric P phase of pure NaNbO₃ ceramics limits its further development in energy storage owing to the irreversible antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition under electric fields. In this work, CaZrO₃ was introduced to NaNbO₃ ceramics to destroy the long-range polarization ordering but keep large antiferrodistortion, causing the formation of superparaelectric state with macrodomains, which can be identified by the refinement results of high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and TEM results. Combined with the fine grains, dense and homogeneous microstructure, ergodic relaxation behaviors, and delayed polarization saturation, a high recoverable energy storage density of ~5.4 J/cm³ and efficiency of ~82% can be realized in 0.85NaNbO₃-0.15CaZrO₃ ceramics at an ultrahigh breakdown electric field of ~68 kV/mm. The results found in this work suggest that the supersparaelectric with non-cubic phase would be a good candidate for generating excellent dielectric energy storage properties. LESS Full article

Research Article|Published on: 12 Jan 2023

Full-Text | PDF-25M
Trilayer PVDF nanocomposites with significantly enhanced energy density and energy efficiency using 0.55Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃-0.45(Sr_0.7Bi_0.2)TiO₃ nanofibers

Yuan Liu, ... Dou Zhang

Microstructures 2023;3:2023008. DOI: 10.20517/microstructures.2022.31

Abstract
The development of dielectric capacitors with high energy density and energy efficiency is of great ... MORE

The development of dielectric capacitors with high energy density and energy efficiency is of great significance in the modern electronic components market. To reduce the high energy loss of Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃, 0.55Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃-0.45(Sr_0.7Bi_0.2)TiO₃ (BNT-BST) nanofibers with a high aspect ratio are synthesized via electrospinning. To achieve a high energy density, the design of a symmetric trilayer nanocomposite consisting of a BNT-BST/polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) layer with a high dielectric constant sandwiched between two layers of pure PVDF is herein described. The trilayer structure can effectively alleviate the electric field concentration effect, resulting in a considerably enhanced breakdown strength and improved discharge energy density. The maximum discharge energy density of 17.37 J/cm³ at 580 kV/mm could be achieved in the symmetric trilayer nanocomposite with a BNT-BST/PVDF middle layer, which is 90.5% greater than that achieved using pure PVDF (9.21 J/cm³ at 450 kV/mm). This study presents a new case for developing dielectric capacitors with high energy density. LESS Full article

Research Article|Published on: 11 Jan 2023

Full-Text | PDF-9.6M
The influence of A/B-sites doping on antiferroelectricity of PZO energy storage films

Dongxu Li, ... Hua Hao

Microstructures 2023;3:2023007. DOI: 10.20517/microstructures.2022.27

Abstract
Antiferroelectrics are a kind of unique dielectric materials, mainly due to their polarization behavior, and ... MORE

Antiferroelectrics are a kind of unique dielectric materials, mainly due to their polarization behavior, and composition-induced antiferroelectricity stability also draws considerable attention. In this work, single orthorhombic phase (Pb_0.95Bi_0.05)ZrO₃ (PBZ), Pb(Zr_0.95Bi_0.05)O₃ (PZB), and PbZrO₃ (PZO) films with good density and flatten surface was prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate via sol-gel method. Compared with pure PZO films, the PBZ and PZB films possess increased switching electric field difference Δ E due to enhanced forward switching field and the late response of backward switching field. In terms of stabilizing AFE phase, changing the tolerance factor t has the similar effect as Bi-doping the A/B sites in PZO, with the modification of the A-site being more effective than that of the B-site. PBZ films achieve a high recoverable energy density (W_rec) of 26.4 J/cm³ with energy efficiency (η) of 56.2% under an electric field of 1278 kV/cm, which exceeds other pure AFE materials. This work provides a fundamental understanding of the crystal structure-related antiferroelectricity of PZO materials and broadens the chemical doping route to enhance the electric properties of AFE materials. LESS Full article

Research Article|Published on: 10 Jan 2023

Full-Text | PDF-1.6M
Environmental embrittlement behavior of high-entropy alloys

Bo Xiao, ... Tao Yang

Microstructures 2023;3:2023006. DOI: 10.20517/microstructures.2022.26

Abstract
High entropy alloys (HEAs), as a new class of structural materials, have attracted extensive interest ... MORE

High entropy alloys (HEAs), as a new class of structural materials, have attracted extensive interest from numerous metallurgical scientists and engineers. Benefiting from their unique microstructural features and outstanding mechanical performance, HEAs have shown significant potential for applications in many engineering fields, even under extreme conditions. In particular, when exposed to hydrogen and/or intermediate-temperature environments, these HEAs inevitably suffer from severe environmental embrittlement (EE) issues, e.g., hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and intermediate-temperature embrittlement (ITE), resulting in serious premature intergranular failure. In this work, we critically review the state-of-the-art advances of EE in previously reported HEA systems. Particular focus is given to novel strategies to enhance the resistance to EE in different HEAs. Two critical embrittlement phenomena, namely, HE and ITE, are highlighted separately. Finally, we provide perspectives on future research directions and opportunities for EE-resistant HEAs. LESS Full article

Review|Published on: 10 Jan 2023

Full-Text | PDF-13.1M
An ultraviolet-visible distinguishable broadband photodetector based on the positive and negative photoconductance effects of a graphene/ZnO quantum dot heterostructure

Xun Yang, ... Chong-Xin Shan

Microstructures 2023;3:2023005. DOI: 10.20517/microstructures.2022.24

Abstract
Broadband photodetectors covering the ultraviolet (UV) to visible range are significant for applications in communication ... MORE

Broadband photodetectors covering the ultraviolet (UV) to visible range are significant for applications in communication and imaging. Broadband photodetectors with the capacity to distinguish wavelength bands are highly desirable because they can provide additional spectral information. Herein, we report a UV-visible distinguishable broadband photodetector based on a graphene/ZnO quantum dot heterostructure. The photodetector exhibits negative photoconductance under visible illumination because the adsorbents on graphene act as scattering centers to reduce the carrier mobility. In contrast, under UV illumination, the photodetector shows positive photoconductance as the photogenerated electrons in the ZnO quantum dots transfer to the graphene, thereby increasing the conductivity. Thus, the detection and distinction of UV and visible illumination can be realized by utilizing the opposing photoconductivity changes. These results offer inspiration for the design of multifunctional broadband photodetectors. LESS Full article

Research Article|Published on: 10 Jan 2023

Full-Text | PDF-10.8M

About The Journal

ISSN

2770-2995 (Online)

Publisher

OAE Publishing Inc.

Article Processing Charges

$600
Editor-in-Chief

Shujun Zhang

Publishing Model

Gold Open Access

Copyright

Copyright is retained by author(s)
Publication Frequency

Quarterly

Indexing

Google Scholar

Dimensions

Lens

Journal Data Analysis

Total publications: 40

Total article views: 46,459

Total article downloads: 15,467

Aims and Scope

Microstructure, which is the nature, quantity and distribution of structural elements or phases that make up materials, determines the properties of materials. Understanding microstructure–properties relationships is critical for the design of materials. With the increase of demand and investment in new materials around the globe, there has been a great deal of interest in the exploration and manipulation of microstructure in materials science and engineering.

The journal of Microstructures publishes peer-reviewed articles that present a full spectrum of research topics in microstructure-oriented research and development. Papers involve all aspects of microstructures, including the design, fabrication, modelling, characterization, testing, and evaluation of the end-user-oriented applications, from the microscale to the atomic scale. Contents are written at a general level aiming at a broad audience. The journal publishes articles covering new research and developments, perspectives, and reviews related to the microstructures of materials, including, but not limited to metals and alloys, ceramics, polymers, composites, crystals, glasses, biomaterials, interfaces and nanomaterials.

Microstructures serves the interdisciplinary community of physicists, chemists, engineers, biologists, and engineers in related disciplines, delivering high-quality, original research focusing on design–fabrication–microstructure–property–application relationships in materials.

The journal provides scientists and engineers with cutting-edge information on topics that are closely linked to microstructures of all types of materials. These include but are not limited to:

Microstructure characterization
Microstructural evolution under external stimulations
Synthesis/processing–microstructure–properties relationships
Prediction and design of microstructures
Computational modelling of microstructure and its relationships with processing condition and properties
Multifunction and emerging coupling phenomena in microstructures
Applications of structure-manipulated materials
Advances in microstructure characterization techniques

Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Microstructures in 2022

A rigorous and impartial peer-review process is essential for publication, which can help authors revise their papers in a timely manner and maintain a sound academic environment.

Published on: 30 Dec 2022
Congratulations on the Success of AM&ST 22 Co-sponsored by Microstructures

International Symposium Advanced Materials and Sustainable Technologies 2022 (AM&ST 22) was successfully held from 30th November to 2nd December 2022 in Cairns, Australia.

Published on: 14 Dec 2022
Microstructures is Now a Member of the Committee on Publication Ethics

We are pleased to announce that Microstructures is now a member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE).

Published on: 17 May 2022
Acknowledgment to Reviewers of Microstructures

A rigorous and impartial peer-review process is essential for the publication on a full scale, which can help authors revise their papers timely and maintain a sound academic environment.

Published on: 5 Jan 2022
Congratulations to Five Editorial Board Members Who Featured in the List of “Highly Cited Researchers 2021” Announced by Clarivate Analytics

On November 16, 2021, Clarivate Analytics announced the list of “Highly Cited Researchers 2021”. Five Editorial Board Members of Microstructures are on the list.

Published on: 26 Nov 2021