Publications

Relaxor behavior in rocksalt cation-ordered material induced by (anti)ferroelectric phase competition

Merijn — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Atomic-scale visualization of reaction pathways of CoFe2O4 under hydrogen reduction

Merijn — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Yang Shen, Yuhan Wang, Yangfan Li, Mengshu Ge, Xiaozhi Liu, Dong Su

Journal: Materials Today Advances · Impact Factor: 8

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100784

Advanced Electron Microscopy of Clusters Grown Inside Superfluid Helium Droplets: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives

Merijn — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Daniel Knez, Wolfgang E. Ernst, Gerald Kothleitner, Ferdinand Hofer

Journal: Small Structures · Impact Factor: 11.3

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sstr.202500586

Abstract

Superfluid helium nanodroplets act as ultracold, nanoscale “cryostats” that enable the synthesis of exceptionally pure metallic, bimetallic, and hybrid nanoparticles with precise control over size and architecture. This review highlights how advanced electron microscopy—particularly aberration‐corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with spectroscopy—reveals the structure, composition, and three‐dimensional morphology of these particles at near‐atomic resolution. In situ heating and cooling experiments uncover unique thermodynamic behaviors, such as nanowire breakup, alloying, and structural inversion, while studies on beam‐induced effects expose atomic displacements and radiolysis‐driven chemistry. The soft‐landing deposition of the helium droplet method preserves metastable configurations and facilitates the creation of nanoparticle architectures that are unattainable by conventional routes. Looking ahead, emerging low‐dose imaging techniques, phase‐sensitive methods, and machine learning‐driven analyses promise to further expand our ability to design and study functional nanomaterials for use in catalysis, plasmonics, and quantum technologies.

In-Operando 4D-STEM and STEM-EBIC Imaging of Electric Fields and Charge Carrier Behavior in Biased Silicon p–n Junctions

Merijn — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Eoin Moynihan, Yining Xie, David Cooper, Grigore Moldovan, Richard Beanland, Ana Sanchez

Journal: Advanced Electronic Materials · Impact Factor: 5.8

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aelm.202500415

Abstract

ABSTRACT Electronic devices are shrinking, and scanning transmission electron microscopy is essential for the characterization of in‐operando nanoscale devices. This paper demonstrates the combined capabilities of 4D‐STEM and STEM‐EBIC for measuring localized electronic properties (electric field strength, field direction, built‐in potential, and minority carrier diffusion length) in an in‐operando nanoscale device. Quantitative analysis supported by simulations enables robust interpretation of local electric fields and potential gradients. STEM‐EBIC measurements at different thicknesses show a regime where the effective diffusion length of minority carriers is entirely dominated by surface recombination. In situ biasing of a symmetrically doped 4 × 10 17 cm −3 p–n diode shows how 4D‐STEM and STEM‐EBIC complement each other for localized interpretation of electronic components.

Temperature distributions in MEMS microheaters during gas phase experiments in an environmental TEM

Merijn — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Amit Kumar, Zhongtao Ma, Julian Taubmann, Arash Nemati, Kristian Speranza Mølhave, Joerg R. Jinschek, Magnus Björnsson, Søren Bredmose Simonsen

Journal: Ultramicroscopy · Impact Factor: 3.9

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2026.114326

Synthesis and Nanostructure Characterization of New Aero CeO₂/(Zn)TiO₂ Composite Networks for (photo-)Catalytic Applications

Merijn — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Niklas Wolff, Jonas Lumma, Erik Greve, Niklas Kohlmann, Redwanul Islam, Rainer Adelung, Lorenz Kienle

Journal: Particle & Particle Systems Characterization (Wiley) · Impact Factor: 3.5

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ppsc.202500211

Abstract

ABSTRACT Photocatalytic reactions hold great promise for using the abundant solar energy for green energy production via water splitting to gain as well as purifying air from pathogens or waste water from organic pollutants. To initiate these reactions using visible light, a catalytic material is required, often based on compounds of one or more oxide semiconductors, which necessitates the control of material production and the designed architecture with respect to the targeted application. In this contribution, we demonstrate a wet chemical synthesis approach to produce a highly macroporous 3D network structure of oxide semiconductors /(Zn) which is hierarchically designed by interconnecting hollow microscale tetrapodal structures with nanoscale functionalization using a core/shell geometry. Transmission electron microscopy was used to identify the present crystalline structures and chemical properties of the components before and after annealing. Before annealing, a variation of the oxidation state is present in the nanocrystalline component, while during further oxidation the formation of a ternary particle network composed of heterojunctions between , rutile and crystalline particles is evidenced. Producing such a combination of materials on a rigid and macroporous framework could show great potential as a catalyst for liquid‐ or gas phase applications.

Elucidation Dynamics of ZnO and ZrO2 in Catalytic CO2 Hydrogenation: An in-situ TEM Study

Merijn — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Lizhuo Wang, Yasuhiro Sakamoto, Ang Li, Xin Fang, Yuhan Men, Penny Xiao, Paul A. Webley, Xiaodong Han, Jun Huang

Journal: Materials Today Nano · Impact Factor: 8.2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtnano.2026.100765

Interstitial nitrogen-engineered square-planar Ni surfaces enabling efficient hydrogenation

Merijn — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Yinghui Pu, Yiming Niu, Tongtong Gao, Junnan Chen, Bingsen Zhang

Journal: Acta Materialia · Impact Factor: 6.6

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2026.121954

Atomic Scale Ordering of liquid Water at a Dynamic Pt(111) Interface Under Electrochemical Conditions Imaged by Electron Holography

Merijn — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Jonas Lindner, Ulrich Ross, Tobias Meyer, Sung Sakong, Axel Gross, Michael Seibt, Christian Jooss

Journal: Advanced Energy Materials · Impact Factor: 15.8

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202505756

Abstract

ABSTRACT Imaging atomic structure and electric fields of the electric double layer at electrode‐water interfaces is essential for understanding electrochemical reactions. The wave properties of electrons in an environmental transmission electron microscope were used to reconstruct the atomic scale electric potentials of a platinum (111) interface in water by phase shifting electron holography. This progress allowed the observation of ordered water layers at the dynamic state of the platinum (111) surface and the water reorganization under applied electric potentials. The obtained projected electric potential of the Pt‐water interface is quantitatively compared to ab‐initio molecular dynamics simulations, revealing an extended ordered water region. We conclude that the potential drop at the Pt ‐H 2 O interface is mainly carried by the polarization field of the ordered water structure. The impact of different surface Pt configurations and the presence of adsorbates on the ordered structure are discussed.

In-situ observations of misfit dislocation motion in AlSb/GaSb dislocation filter layer structures

Merijn — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT

Authors: Karl Graser, Audrey Gilbert, Jean-Baptiste Rodriguez, Eric Tournié, Achim Trampert

Journal: Acta Materialia · Impact Factor: 6.60

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2026.121946