arXiv subjects

Sergio Marras

Publications and source records attributed to Sergio Marras.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A new helical InSeI polymorph: crystal structure and polarized Raman spectroscopy study

Tetragonal InSeI is an interesting low-dimensional metal chalcohalide due to its composition and anisotropic crystal structure composed of helical chains, which give rise to optoelectronic properties with potential application in photodetectors, optical thermometers, and spintronic devices. However, experimental works lack on the study of its anisotropic or chiral behavior. Here we present the crystal structure of an unreported InSeI polymorph and study its lattice dynamics in bulk crystals and exfoliated nanowires by polarized Raman spectroscopy for two non-equivalent crystallographic planes. We determine the orientation of the helical chains and distinguish between crystallographic planes by linearly polarized measurements, evaluating the angle-dependent intensity of the modes, which allows assigning each mode to its representation. Circularly polarized Raman measurements do not reveal chiral phonons, despite the helical chains and anisotropic crystal structure. These results offer insight into the crystal structure of InSeI, which is fundamental for the fabrication of orientation-dependent optoelectronic and spintronic devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

A Nanocrystal Synthesis Derived Approach to Silver Bismuth Iodide Layered Double Perovskites with Aliphatic Amines: (CnH(2n+1)NH3)4AgBiI8

Lead-free iodide double perovskites are an interesting class of materials since they combine a relatively low toxicity (compared to the lead counterpart) with the small bandgap typical of iodide-based perovskite structures. Their reported number is small due to their lower structural stability compared to the chloride and bromide analogues, hence their difficult synthesis. The structural constraints that limit stability, on the other hand, can be much relieved in layered, organic-inorganic perovskites. Following this line of thought, we report here a successful fast precipitation route to iodide layered (CnH(2n+1)NH3)4AgBiI8 (n = 10, 12, and 14) double perovskites that borrow concepts from the synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals. X-ray diffraction studies revealed for these compounds a monoclinic crystal structure containing edge-sharing alternated [AgI6] and [BiI6] octahedra. These materials have experimental band gaps of 2.1 eV, as also corroborated by theoretical calculations. We have also investigated their phase transitions by thermal analysis and temperature-dependent diffraction and found them to be similar to their lead-based layered perovskite counterparts.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Permanent Lattice Compression of Lead-Halide Perovskite for Persistently Enhanced Optoelectronic Properties

Under mild mechanical pressure, halide perovskites show enhanced optoelectronic properties. However, these improvements are reversible upon decompression, and permanent enhancements have yet to be realized. Here, we report antisolvent-assisted solvent acidolysis crystallization that enables us to prepare methylammonium lead bromide single crystals showing intense emission at all four edges under ultraviolet light excitation. We study structural variations, edge-vs-center, in these crystals using micro-X-ray diffraction and find that the enhanced emission at the edges correlates with lattice compression compared to in the central areas. Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements show much longer-lived photogenerated carriers at the compressed edges, with radiative component lifetimes of ca. 1.4 us, 10 times longer than at the central regions. The properties of the edges are exploited to fabricate planar photodetectors exhibiting detectivities of 3x10^13 Jones, compared to 5x10^12 Jones at the central regions. The enhanced lifetimes and detectivities correlate to the reduced trap state densities and the formation of shallower traps at the edges due to lattice compression.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2025

Lattice dynamics in chiral tellurium by linear and circularly polarized Raman spectroscopy: crystal orientation and handedness

Trigonal tellurium (Te) has attracted researchers' attention due to its transport and optical properties, which include electrical magneto-chiral anisotropy, spin polarization and bulk photovoltaic effect. It is the anisotropic and chiral crystal structure of Te that drive these properties, so the determination of its crystallographic orientation and handedness is key to their study. Here we explore the structural dynamics of Te bulk crystals by angle-dependent linearly polarized Raman spectroscopy and symmetry rules in three different crystallographic orientations. The angle-dependent intensity of the modes allows us to determine the arrangement of the helical chains and distinguish between crystallographic planes parallel and perpendicular to the chain axis. Furthermore, under different configurations of circularly polarized Raman measurements and crystal orientations, we observe the shift of two phonon modes only in the (0 0 1) plane. The shift is positive or negative depending on the handedness of the crystals, which we determine univocally by chemical etching. Our analysis of three different crystal faces of Te highlights the importance of selecting the proper orientation and crystallographic plane when investigating the transport and optical properties of this material. These results offer insight into the crystal structure and symmetry in other anisotropic and chiral materials, and open new paths to select a suitable crystal orientation when fabricating devices.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2024

Magnetic properties of layered hybrid organic-inorganic metal-halide perovskites: transition metal, organic cation and perovskite phase effects

Understanding the structural and magnetic properties in layered hybrid organic-inorganic metal halide perovskites (HOIPs) is key for their design and integration in spin-electronic devices. Here, we have conducted a systematic study on ten compounds to understand the effect of the transition metal (Cu$^{2+}$, Mn$^{2+}$, Co$^{2+}$), organic spacer (alkyl- and aryl-ammonium) and perovskite phase (Ruddlesden-Popper and Dion-Jacobson) on the properties of these materials. Temperature-dependent Raman measurements show that the crystals' structural phase transitions are triggered by the motional freedom of the organic cations as well as by the flexibility of the inorganic metal-halide lattice. In the case of Cu$^{2+}$ HOIPs, an increase of the in-plane anisotropy and a reduction of the octahedra interlayer distance is found to change the behavior of the HOIP from that of a 2D ferromagnet to that of a quasi-3D antiferromagnet. Mn$^{2+}$ HOIPs show inherent antiferromagnetic octahedra intralayer interactions and a phenomenologically rich magnetism, presenting spin-canting, spin-flop transitions and metamagnetism controlled by the crystal anisotropy. Co$^{2+}$ crystals with non-linked tetrahedra show a dominant paramagnetic behavior irrespective of the organic spacer and the perovskite phase. This work demonstrates that the chemical flexibility of HOIPs can be exploited to develop novel layered magnetic materials with tailored magnetic properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2022

P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO3 nanoparticle composite films mediate piezoelectric stimulation and promote differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene, P(VDF-TrFE)) and P(VDF-TrFE)/barium titanate nanoparticle (BTNP) films are prepared and tested as substrates for neuronal stimulation through direct piezoelectric effect. Films are characterized in terms of surface, mechanical, and piezoelectric features before in vitro testing on SH-SY5Y cells. In particular, BTNPs significantly improve piezoelectric properties of the films (4.5-fold increased d31). Both kinds of films support good SH-SY5Y viability and differentiation. Ultrasound (US) stimulation is proven to elicit Ca2+ transients and to enhance differentiation in cells grown on the piezoelectric substrates. For the first time in the literature, this study demonstrates the suitability of polymer/ceramic composite films and US for neuronal stimulation through direct piezoelectric effect.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2019

Nanoporous Aluminum-Magnesium Alloy for UV enhanced spectroscopy

We report the first preparation of nanoporous Al-Mg alloy films by selective dissolution of Mg from a Mg-rich AlxMg1-x alloy. We show how to tune the stoichiometry, the porosity and the oxide contents in the final film by modulating the starting ratio between Al and Mg and the dealloying procedure. The obtained porous metal can be exploited for enhanced UV spectroscopy. In this respect, we experimentally demonstrate its efficacy in enhancing fluorescence and surface Raman scattering for excitation wavelengths of 360 nm and 257 nm respectively. Finally, we numerically show the superior performance of the nanoporous Al-Mg alloy in the UV range when compared to equivalent porous gold structures. The large area to surface ratio provided by this material make it a promising platform for a wide range of applications in UV/deep-UV plasmonics.

physics.app-ph↗