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Inorganic Chemistry 2026 65 (5), 2728-2744

Anion Exchange in LaBaInO3F2: Structural and Optical Effects of Low-Temperature Topochemical Modification

S. Perween, B. Knies, M. Barroso and et al.

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S. Perween, B. Knies, M. Barroso, et al.

We present a comprehensive investigation of the low-temperature topochemical modification of the Ruddlesden–Popper-type (RP) indium oxyfluoride LaBaInO3F2 using sodium hydride (NaH). By varying NaH equivalents, we monitored phase evolution, anion exchange, and reduction pathways using combined structural, spectroscopic, elemental and the density functional theory (DFT) analysis. LaBaInO3F2 undergoes controlled anion-extraction, with hydride-for-fluoride substitution produces mixed-anion oxyfluoride-hydride phases, LaBaInO3F2–xHy, and NaF as a stable byproduct. At moderate xNaH contents (x ≤ 1), the RP-framework incorporates hydride with minimal decomposition, supported by reoxidation experiments and DFT-calculated reaction enthalpies that confirm oxidizable hydride and subtle modification of the indium coordination environment. In contrast, higher xNaH contents (x > 1) result in the formation of secondary phases, indicating progressive lattice degradation. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) indicates the possibility of subtle reduction of indium, with redox changes secondary to anion exchange. The executed study revealed a pathway how to stabilize hydride ions next to In3+, which is known to be notoriously hard otherwise. Optical spectroscopy reveals bandgap narrowing and enhanced visible-light absorption in hydride-rich samples, however, DFT estimates that idealized hydride substitution widens the bandgap, consistent with the experimentally non-ideal reduction with secondary phases. Overall, these findings establish hydride-based topochemical strategies as a promising route for controlled anion exchange with implications for photocatalytic and energy applications.

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Phys. Rev. B 113, 035113

Optical control of a metastable phase in the charge density wave Mott insulator 1⁢𝑇−TaS2 investigated using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy

T. Saha, A. Pramanik and R. Osama et al.

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T. Saha, A. Pramanik, R. Osama et al.

Light-induced metastable phases are exotic, long-lived out-of-equilibrium states of matter. Optical control offers a powerful approach to engineering these phases, enabling dynamic tuning of their electronic and structural properties. Using time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, we investigate the emergence of a metastable phase induced by a strong infrared pump in the charge-density-wave (CDW)-Mott insulator 1⁢𝑇−TaS2. Furthermore, we demonstrate how its properties can be optically manipulated by varying the photoexcitation strength. A long-lived stabilization of the renormalized electronic band structure serves as a signature of the metastable phase. It displays a relaxed periodic lattice distortion (PLD) and primarily lattice-driven dynamics. The emergence of a new dispersive band in the vicinity of the Hubbard bands reveals the formation of a novel band structure unique to the metastable phase. Our pump-fluence-dependent studies reveal a threshold (incident) fluence 𝐹𝐶∼1.3⁢mJ/cm2 for inducing the metastable phase, above which the band renormalization continuously evolves with increasing fluence. For 𝐹⩽ 3.4 mJ/cm2, stronger photoexcitation progressively drives the phase to higher energies, accompanied by a more relaxed PLD and reduced CDW amplitude. The properties of the metastable phase are strongly influenced by the transient dynamics at each fluence, and the associated fast timescales suggest that the intrinsic CDW amplitude mode remains unaffected by optical manipulation. These findings highlight the potential of optical control in tuning the properties of metastable phases in quantum materials, offering new insights into the manipulation of CDW systems and paving the way for future investigations in nonequilibrium phase engineering.

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J Synchrotron Radiat. 2025 Oct 27; 32(Pt 6): 1396–1402

Ultra-thin (<2 µm) silicon carbide free-standing membranes as beam position monitors for soft and tender X-ray beamlines

E. Medina, G. Trovato and L. Calcagno et al.

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E. Medina, G. Trovato, L. Calcagno et al.

Conventional beam intensity monitor technologies, such as 'gold-meshes' and 'diamond conductive thin films', currently applied to tender and soft X-ray beams, encounter numerous application challenges, including diffraction effects, low signal strength, non-uniform transparency, and lack of position information. This study explores the potential of very thin (< 2 mu m) silicon carbide freestanding membranes, as in-line, minimally interfering beam intensity and position monitors, with high-lateral resolution, for soft and tender X-ray beamlines. Initial experimental assessments were conducted at the NanoMAX beamline at MAX IV to analyze the performance of such very thin devices in monitoring tightly focused (< 1 mu m FWHM) beams. The tests revealed that employing fourquadrant sensor layouts on such thin sensors resulted in significant charge collection losses in the regions between the quadrants and, under high electric field conditions, in charge multiplication effects (avalanche effects). Through Sentaurus TCAD theoretical simulations, the limitations of the four-quadrant design for such applications and the potential of an alternative technology (resistive X-ray beam postion monitor) were clarified.

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Deliverables view all

WP2 - MGT2 - Pilot scheme for the management of a distributed research infrastructure offering harmonised, interoperable and integrated services

D2.8 - Second call for additional providers

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31 Jul 2025

Elisabetta Travaglia (CNR), Cristina Africh (CNR), Luis Fonseca (CSIC), Laura Esposito (CNR), Emmanuel Stratakis (FORTH), Giuseppe Piero Brandino (eXact lab), Giorgio Rossi (UniMI), Roberto Gotter (CNR)

According to the Grant Agreement, in the lifetime of NFFA-Europe Pilot the Transnational Access offer must enlarge to meet (i) the qualitative needs of users that could be better met with new specialized providers, or (ii) quantitative needs resulting in oversubscription of the current capacity. To this aim, two calls for additional access providers were foreseen at M24 and M40, respectively. This report describes the rationale that led to the text of the second call for additional access providers, i.e. from the evaluation of the needs – mainly based on the analysis provided in the deliverable D2.7 “Second balance of access provision” - to the search for alternative solutions to widen and strengthen the current offer.

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WP14 - JA4 - A safe-by-design platform for nanomaterials

D14.4 - Integration and characterization of the space correlation functionality on the complete setup

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31 May 2025

T. F. Keller (DESY), S. Kulkarni (DESY), H.A Suarez Orduz (ESRF), H. Castillo-Michel (ESRF)

This report presents an experimental workflow designed to perform correlative measurements as part of the NEP-NFFA project, using silicon nitride (Si3N4) membranes equipped with platinum (Pt) markers. These membranes were developed through a collaboration between DESY NanoLab and ESRF-ID21. DESY NanoLab was responsible for the Pt deposition on the Si3N4 membranes, while ESRF-ID21 carried out the correlative measurements. The purpose of the Pt markers on the membranes is to act as fiducial points that help to precisely locate specific regions or points of interest (ROI/POI) with micrometric or nanometric accuracy. This is essential to analyze the same point of the sample using different techniques, and to collect complementary data for a better understanding of the sample. The proposed workflow involves complementary techniques such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and synchrotron-based techniques like micro X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) performed at the nano-X-ray microscope (nano-SXM) at beamline ID21 of the Softhis report describes the initial design of the membranes with the markers, as well as the optimized version, based on results obtained during the first tests with nano-SXM. In addition, it shows how the Pt markers enable accurate correlation through the web-based graphical interface Daiquiri, linking the morphological information from optical microscopy with the chemical information obtained from µXRF. The technical feasibility of this approach has been confirmed, showing that the process is reproducible and potentially applicable to similar studies. This is possible due to the standardized Pt deposition process and the use of nano-SXM for sample localization and data acquisition.

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WP14 - JA4 - A safe-by-design platform for nanomaterials

D14.5 - Production and report of three case studies with selected workflows

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31 May 2025

J. Linell (LUND), C. Isaxson (LUND), C. Abrahamsson (LUND), Maria Enea (INL) et al.

This report aims to demonstrate the usefulness of the NFFA workflow to assess nanomaterials and their interaction with different cell lines. It also seeks to generate improved protocols and educational material that can be shared with other European users working with similar ENMs.

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Transnational Access Statistics

31 calls for access

1176 proposals submitted

61% rate of acceptance

30% with Large Scale Facilities

13% with theory

12% with industry

~3 average users per proposal

66 countries applying

3653 lab sessions