arXiv subjects

Chandan Bera

Publications and source records attributed to Chandan Bera.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Ultrahigh pyroelectricity in monoelemental 2D tellurium

We report an ultrahigh pyroelectric response in van der Waals bonded layers of two-dimensional (2D) tellurium (Te) nanosheets (thickness, d = 4 to 5 nm) at periodic on-off temperature oscillations. For the first time a large pyroelectric coefficient, Pc ~ 3 mC.m-2.K-1, is observed which is eightfold higher than the traditional state-of-the-art pyroelectrics (lead zirconate titanate, PZT). The first-principles calculations point out that the breakdown of centro-symmetry in the 1-3 Te-layers (P-3m1 space group) of a non-centrosymmetry (higher-order symmetry of C2 space group) on an angular twist in the Te-Te bonds of an exotic electronic state in 2D Te. The angular Te-Te twisting elicits a surface-enhanced Raman band at 101 cm-1 (absent in bulk Te). The stimulation of the Born effective charge, in-plane piezoelectricity and thermal expansion coefficient are shown to tailor the large pyroelectricity. Thus, 2D Te nanosheets present a new paradigm for the wide application of pyroelectric materials for developing thermal energy-based flexible electronics.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Ultralow Lattice Thermal Conductivity in Complex Structure Cu26V2Sn6Se32 due to Interaction of Low-Frequency Acoustic-Optical Phonons

Damping of phonon momentum suppresses the lattice thermal conductivity (kl) through low energy acoustic-optical phonon interactions. We studied the thermal transport properties and underlying mechanism of phonon interactions in the large unit cell Cu26V2Sn6Se32. The large number of atoms in the unit cell results in low acoustic phonon cutoff frequency, flat phonon branches, low frequency Raman active modes, localized rattler-like vibrations and strong crystalline anharmonicity. The crystal structure complexity disrupts the phonon propagation through weak bonded Cu atoms, boson peak and poor phonon velocity. The sulfur at selenium sites (Cu26V2Sn6Se30S2) distort the crystal lattice by offering additional scattering mechanism at the anionic sites, thereby increases the power factor and decreases the kl. This strategic manipulation of phonon scattering towards ultra-low kl not only results in improved thermoelectric performance but also offers insights into the fundamental understanding of heat transport in complex structured, large unit cell compounds.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Emerging interfacial magnetization in isovalent manganite heterostructures driven by octahedral coupling

The distortion of corner-sharing octahedra in isovalent perovskite transition-metal oxide interfaces is proven to be an excellent way to tailor the electronic and magnetic properties of their heterostructures. Combining depth-dependent magnetic characterization technique; (polarized neutron reflectivity, PNR); and theoretical calculation (density functional theory), we report interface-driven magnetic exchange interactions due to a modification in the octahedral rotations at the interfaces in an isovalent La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 (LCMO)/La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) heterostructures. PNR results determined a length scale of ~ 8 unit cells at the interface, which demonstrated a modification in magnetic properties. The results also predicted a low-temperature exchange bias for these ferromagnetic heterostructures with a maximum exchange bias for the heterostructure, which showed an enhanced antiferromagnetic coupling at the interfaces.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2023

Interaction of Acoustic and Optical Phonons in Soft Bonded Cu-Se Framework of Large Unit Cell Minerals with Anionic Disorders

Large unit cell copper-chalcogenide based minerals with high crystalline anharmonicity have a potential for thermoelectric applications owing to their inherent poor lattice thermal conductivity. Here, the softening of copper-selenium bonding and hence crystal framework plays an important role in superionic conduction and thermal conductivity. We have studied Cu26Nb2Sn6Se32, Cu26Nb2Sn6Se31.5 and Cu26Nb2Sn6Se30Te2 minerals with a strategically tailored anionic disorders. These compounds have p-type degenerate behavior with carrier concentration ranging between 1020 cm-3 at 300 K, high power factor and low lattice thermal conductivity at 640 K. The existence of two low frequency Raman active optical modes associated with soft Cu and Se atoms, three localized Einstein modes in specific heat, suggest high scattering between acoustic and optical branches with very short phonon lifetime less than 1 ps. The excess vibrational density of states at low energies with compressed and flat optical branches strongly hinders the heat transport in these crystalline mineral. Comparatively, Cu26Nb2Sn6Se30Te2 is a promising thermoelectric material because of high crystalline anharmonicity and softening of Cu-Se framework due to heavier tellurium atom.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2021

Coexistence of Multiple Magnetic Interactions in Oxygen Deficient V2O5 Nanoparticles

This paper reports on the spin glass-like coexistence of competing magnetic orders in oxygen-deficient V2O5 nanoparticles having a broad size distribution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy yields the surface chemical stoichiometry of nearly V2O4.65 due to significant defect density. Temperature-dependent electrical conductivity and thermopower measurements demonstrate a polaronic conduction mechanism with a hopping energy of about 0.112 eV. The V2O5-{\delta} sample exhibits strong field as well as temperature-dependent magnetic behaviour when measured with a SQUID magnetometer, showing positive magnetic susceptibility across the temperature range of 2-350 K. Field-cooled and zero-field-cooled data indicate hysteresis, suggesting glassy behaviour. The formation of small polarons due to oxygen vacancy defects, compensated by V4+ charge defects, results in Magneto-Electronic Phase Separation (MEPS) and various magnetic exchanges, as predicted by first-principle calculations. This is evidenced by the strong hybridisation of V orbitals in the vicinity of vacant oxygen site. An increase in V4+ defects shows an antiferromagnetic (AFM) component. The magnetic diversity in undoped V2O4.9 originates from defect density and their random distribution, leading to MEPS. This involves localised spins in polarons and ferromagnetic (FM) clusters on a paramagnetic (PM) background, while V4+ dimers induce AFM interactions. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectra measured at different temperatures indicate a dominant paramagnetic signal at a g-value of 1.97 due to oxygen defects, with a broad FM resonance-like hump. Both signals diminish with increasing temperature. Neutron diffraction data rules out long-range magnetic ordering, reflecting the composition as V2O4.886. Despite the FM hysteresis, no long-range order is observed in ND data, consistent with the polaron cluster-like FM with MEPS nature.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗