Yichun Zhou

Bio: Yichun Zhou is an academic researcher from Xiangtan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ferroelectricity & Thermal barrier coating. The author has an hindex of 39, co-authored 210 publications receiving 4881 citations. Previous affiliations of Yichun Zhou include Tohoku University.

Raman scattering and high temperature ferromagnetism of Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles

Abstract: Raman scattering has been used to study the influence of manganese, an effective dopant to obtain ZnO diluted magnetic semiconductors, on the lattice dynamics of ZnO. It is found that Mn doping increases the lattice defects and induces two Raman vibration modes of 275 and 526cm−1. On the other hand, high temperature (TC higher than 350K) ferromagnetism is observed in Zn1−xMnxO (x⩽0.02) nanoparticles. It is found that the ferromagnetism of Zn1−xMnxO nanoparticles is strongly related to defects in ZnO.

Flexible ferroelectric element based on van der Waals heteroepitaxy

Abstract: We present a promising technology for nonvolatile flexible electronic devices: A direct fabrication of epitaxial lead zirconium titanate (PZT) on flexible mica substrate via van der Waals epitaxy. These single-crystalline flexible ferroelectric PZT films not only retain their performance, reliability, and thermal stability comparable to those on rigid counterparts in tests of nonvolatile memory elements but also exhibit remarkable mechanical properties with robust operation in bent states (bending radii down to 2.5 mm) and cycling tests (1000 times). This study marks the technological advancement toward realizing much-awaited flexible yet single-crystalline nonvolatile electronic devices for the design and development of flexible, lightweight, and next-generation smart devices with potential applications in electronics, robotics, automotive, health care, industrial, and military systems.

Facile synthesis of NiCo2O4 nanorod arrays on Cu conductive substrates as superior anode materials for high-rate Li-ion batteries

Abstract: In this work, we report a mild and cost-effective solution method to directly grow Ni-substituted Co3O4 (ternary NiCo2O4) nanorod arrays on Cu substrates. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements show that the values of the electrolyte resistance Re and charge-transfer resistance Rct of NiCo2O4 are 6.8 and 63.5 Ω, respectively, which are significantly lower than those of binary Co3O4 (10.4 and 122.4 Ω). This EIS characterization strongly confirms that the ternary NiCo2O4 anode has much higher electrical conductivity than that of the binary Co3O4 electrode materials, which should greatly enhance the lithium storage performances. Due to the well-aligned 1D nanorod microstructure and a higher electrical conductivity, these ternary NiCo2O4 nanorod arrays manifest high specific capacity, excellent cycling stability (a high reversible capacity of about 830 mA h g−1 was achieved after 30 cycles at 0.5 C) and high rate capability (787, 695, 512, 254, 127 mA h g−1 at 1 C, 2 C, 6 C 50 C and 110 C, respectively).

Mixed transition-metal oxides: design, synthesis, and energy-related applications.

Abstract: A promising family of mixed transition-metal oxides (MTMOs) (designated as Ax B3-x O4 ; A, B=Co, Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe, etc.) with stoichiometric or even non-stoichiometric compositions, typically in a spinel structure, has recently attracted increasing research interest worldwide. Benefiting from their remarkable electrochemical properties, these MTMOs will play significant roles for low-cost and environmentally friendly energy storage/conversion technologies. In this Review, we summarize recent research advances in the rational design and efficient synthesis of MTMOs with controlled shapes, sizes, compositions, and micro-/nanostructures, along with their applications as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors, and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in metal-air batteries and fuel cells. Some future trends and prospects to further develop advanced MTMOs for next-generation electrochemical energy storage/conversion systems are also presented.

Multiferroics: Towards a magnetoelectric memory

Abstract: The room-temperature manipulation of magnetization by an electric field using the multiferroic BiFeO3 represents an essential step towards the magnetoelectric control of spintronics devices.

Janus monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides

Abstract: Structural symmetry-breaking plays a crucial role in determining the electronic band structures of two-dimensional materials. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to breaking the in-plane symmetry of graphene with electric fields on AB-stacked bilayers or stacked van der Waals heterostructures. In contrast, transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers are semiconductors with intrinsic in-plane asymmetry, leading to direct electronic bandgaps, distinctive optical properties and great potential in optoelectronics. Apart from their in-plane inversion asymmetry, an additional degree of freedom allowing spin manipulation can be induced by breaking the out-of-plane mirror symmetry with external electric fields or, as theoretically proposed, with an asymmetric out-of-plane structural configuration. Here, we report a synthetic strategy to grow Janus monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides breaking the out-of-plane structural symmetry. In particular, based on a MoS2 monolayer, we fully replace the top-layer S with Se atoms. We confirm the Janus structure of MoSSe directly by means of scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and prove the existence of vertical dipoles by second harmonic generation and piezoresponse force microscopy measurements.