Unraveling the Decomposition Pathways of LaS-TaS₂ Misfit-Layered Compound Nanostructures under Extreme Electrical Currents by In Situ TEM

Hettler, Simon ; Sreedhara, MB ; Tenne, Reshef ; Arenal, Raúl

Resumen: Nanostructures of the misfit-layered compound (MLC) LaS-TaS2 are brought to breakdown by application of high electrical currents within a transmission electron microscope. Imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy techniques are employed to study their decomposition process and the resulting structures. The main decomposition route is the breakdown of the TaS2 layers, which induces the formation of metallic Ta on the surface of the nanostructures when the critical current density is surpassed. This observation confirms the assumption that TaS2 is the current-carrying layer in these types of MLCs. The different behavior of tubular 1D and 2D structures is revealed, and a metallic glass phase made of La, Ta, and S could be observed upon exceeding a threshold current. The work shows how in situ transmission electron microscopy can help understand the breakdown mechanism of electrical devices or connectors.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.5c03498

Año: 2025

Publicado en: Journal of physical chemistry. C. 129, 30 (2025), 13803-13812
ISSN: 1932-7447

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E13-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/889546/EU/Properties of nanomaterials made from misfit-layered compounds revealed by electron microscopy and simulations/PROMISES
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICIU/CEX2023-001286-S
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICIU/PID2023-151080NB-I00
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICIU/PRTR-C17.I1

Tipo y forma: Article (Published version)