arXiv subjects

Bihan Wang

Publications and source records attributed to Bihan Wang.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

High-pressure structural and lattice-dynamics study of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

The structural evolution of two selected compositions of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ), with 3mol% (3YSZ) and 8mol% (8YSZ) of Y2O3, have been investigated under pressure using in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy in a diamond anvil cell up to 40 GPa (at room temperature).The close crystallographic relation between the observed structures and the relatively large difference in the atomic numbers of Y/Zr and O, imposes the simultaneous study using both techniques, aiming to fully elucidate the structural evolution under pressure. The results, by combining both techniques, reveal that for both 3YSZ and 8YSZ, pressure promotes higher-symmetry structures. Under initial compression, the minority at ambient conditions monoclinic phase (m-phase) gradually transforms towards t-phase, a transition that is concluded for both 3YSZ/8YSZ at ~10 GPa. At higher pressures, the solely remaining t-phase of 3YSZ transforms to the t'', that in turns transforms to the c-phase above 28 GPa. Likewise, for 8YSZ the coexistence of t- and t''-phases continue up to 31 GPa, where both transforms towards c-phase, that remains stable up to the highest pressure of this study. Upon pressure release, all observed transitions are fully reversible with negligible hysteresis, with the exception of the practical disappearance of the monoclinic phase at ambient conditions. Our study underscores the significance of simultaneously performing and analyzing the results of both XRD and Raman spectroscopy studies in relevant crystallographic systems. Moreover, it provides a route towards a ``structural purification'' of YSZ through the elimination of the m-phase aiming to improve material properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

High pressure synthesis and structural study of AuGa2 intermetallic compound

We report the synthesis of the AuGa2 intermetallic compound, using a direct reaction of the relevant elements at room temperature and at very low pressure. The pressure needed to synthesize the AuGa2 compound is below 1 GPa, that is at the lower limit of modern large volume presses, routinely used to synthesize other commercially available materials. This study presents a new method of synthesizing AuGa2, which is much more cost efficient and environmentally friendly than the previously used high-temperature synthesis techniques, and will open new possibilities of synthesizing other intermetallic compounds using high-pressure athermal techniques.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

High pressure structural and lattice dynamics study of α-In$_2$Se$_3$

Layered $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$has been studied using a concomitant in-situ synchrotron angle dispersive powder x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy study in a diamond anvil cell up to 60+ GPa, at room temperature. Helium, that remains fairly hydrostatic up to the highest pressure in this study, was used as the pressure-transmitting medium. The results from both experimental methods reveal a pressure-induced structural phase transition from $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$ to a monoclinic $β$'-In2Se3 structure at $\approx$1 GPa, in agreement with previous studies. Based on our detailed measurements using both experimental techniques and F-f formalism, the $β$'-In$_2$Se$_3$ structure remains stable up to 45 GPa, without a clear indication of a phase transition towards the previously reported $β$-In2Se3 phase. Above this pressure, In$_2$Se$_3$ adopts a disordered solid-solution-like orthorhombic structure, phase IV. The results are discussed in comparison with the relevant previous studies of $α$-In$_2$Se$_3$ under pressure.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

X-ray induced grain boundary formation and grain rotation in Bi2Se3

Optimizing grain boundary characteristics in polycrystalline materials can improve their properties. Many processing methods have been developed for grain boundary manipulation, including the use of intense radiation in certain applications. In this work, we used X-ray free electron laser pulses to irradiate single-crystalline bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) and observed grain boundary formation and subsequent grain rotation in response to the X-ray radiation. Our observations with simultaneous transmission X-ray microscopy and X-ray diffraction demonstrate how intense X- ray radiation can rapidly change size and texture of grains.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Resolving the pressure induced 'self-insertion' in skutterudite CoSb3

CoSb3, a skutterudite compound, is key in studying thermoelectric materials. Under compression, it undergoes a 'self-insertion' isostructural transition, redistributing large Sb atoms among crystallographic sites. We investigated CoSb3's structural stability up to 70 GPa using single crystal X-ray diffraction and high-resolution X-ray scattering, including Bragg Coherent Diffraction Imaging. We examined the material in three pressure transmitting media (PTMs), exploring how PTMs and nonhydrostatic stresses affect CoSb3. Notably, the 'self-insertion' transition may reduce or even make compressibility negative. Additionally, we report a previously unknown phase transformation from cubic Im-3 to trigonal R-3 above 40 GPa and discuss the phases' distinctive behaviors.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Dynamic X-ray coherent diffraction analysis: bridging the timescales between imaging and photon correlation spectroscopy

The advent of diffraction limited sources and developments in detector technology opens up new possibilities for the study of materials in situ and operando. Coherent X-ray diffraction techniques such as coherent X-ray diffractive imaging (CXDI) and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) are capable for this purpose and provide complimentary information, although due to signal-to-noise requirements, their simultaneous demonstration has been limited. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for the simultaneous use of CXDI and XPCS to study in situ the Brownian motion of colloidal gold nanoparticles of 200 nm diameter suspended in a glycerol-water mixture. We visualise the process of agglomeration, examine the spatiotemporal space accessible with the combination of techniques, and demonstrate CXDI with 22 ms temporal resolution.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2023

Simultaneous Bright- and Dark-Field X-ray Microscopy at X-ray Free Electron Lasers

The structures, strain fields, and defect distributions in solid materials underlie the mechanical and physical properties across numerous applications. Many modern microstructural microscopy tools characterize crystal grains, domains and defects required to map lattice distortions or deformation, but are limited to studies of the (near) surface. Generally speaking, such tools cannot probe the structural dynamics in a way that is representative of bulk behavior. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction based imaging has long mapped the deeply embedded structural elements, and with enhanced resolution, Dark Field X-ray Microscopy (DFXM) can now map those features with the requisite nm-resolution. However, these techniques still suffer from the required integration times due to limitations from the source and optics. This work extends DFXM to X-ray free electron lasers, showing how the $10^{12}$ photons per pulse available at these sources offer structural characterization down to 100 fs resolution (orders of magnitude faster than current synchrotron images). We introduce the XFEL DFXM setup with simultaneous bright field microscopy to probe density changes within the same volume. This work presents a comprehensive guide to the multi-modal ultrafast high-resolution X-ray microscope that we constructed and tested at two XFELs, and shows initial data demonstrating two timing strategies to study associated reversible or irreversible lattice dynamics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗