Jana Andzane

University of Latvia | LU · Institute of Chemical Physics

This work presents the synthesis of novel copper oxide–multiwalled carbon nanotube (CuO–MWCNT) hybrid nanostructured composites and a systematic study of their thermoelectric performance at near-room temperatures as a function of MWCNT wt% in the composite. The CuO–MWCNT hybrid nanostructured composites were synthesized by thermal oxidation of a th...

Bi 2 Se 3 , MXenes, and SWCNTs are promising potential alternatives to replace the conventional graphite in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and enhance their performance. However, all these materials have drawbacks,...

The resistance and magnetoresistance of flexible thermoelectric p-type Sb2Te3-MWCNT, p-type Bi2Se3-MWCNT, and n-type Bi2Se3-MWCNT heterostructures were studied in the temperature range from 2 K to 300 K to reveal the conductance mechanisms governing the thermoelectric properties of these heterostructured networks. It was found that the conductance...

The near-room temperature thermoelectric properties of self-assembling ZnO nanowire networks before and after encapsulation in nonconductive polymers are studied. ZnO nanowire networks were synthesized via a two-step fabrication technique involving the deposition of metallic Zn networks by thermal evaporation, followed by thermal oxidation. Synthes...

This work is devoted to the development of epoxy-encapsulated zinc oxide-multiwalled carbon nanotubes (ZnO–MWCNT) hybrid nanostructured composites and the investigation of their thermoelectric performance in relation to the content of MWCNTs in the composite. For the preparation of nanocomposites, self-assembling Zn nanostructured networks were coa...

This study focuses on the surface engineering of binder‐free anodes composed of Bi, Se, Cu, and carbon nanotubes to enhance lithium‐ion batteries. The anodes synthesized in this study showed promising electrochemical properties. However, issues with cycle stability, operational speed, and solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation affected their o...

In this work, a simple catalyst-free physical vapor deposition method is optimized by adjusting source material pressure and evaporation time for the reliable obtaining of freestanding nanoribbons with thicknesses below 15 nm. The optimum synthesis temperature, time and pressure were determined for an increased yield of ultrathin Bi2Se3 nanoribbons...

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was applied for studying copper oxide (CuO) nanowire networks assembled between metallic microelectrodes by dielectrophoresis. The influence of relative humidity (RH) on electrical characteristics of the CuO nanowire-based system was assessed by measurements of the impedance Z . A slight increase of Z with inc...

The changes in global energy trends and the high demand for secondary power sources, have led to a renewed interest in aqueous lithium-ion batteries. The selection of a suitable anode for aqueous media is a difficult task because many anode materials have poor cycling performance due to side reactions with water or dissolved oxygen. An effective me...

We used the asymmetric superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) technique to extract the current phase relation (CPR) of a Josephson junction with a 3D-topological insulator (TI) Bi2Se3 nanobelt as the barrier. The obtained CPR shows deviations from the standard sinusoidal CPR with a pronounced forward skewness. At temperatures below 200...

We used the asymmetric superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) technique to extract the current phase relation (CPR) of a Josephson junction with a 3D-topological insulator (TI) Bi 2 Se 3 nanobelt as the barrier. The obtained CPR shows deviations from the standard sinusoidal CPR with a pronounced forward skewness. At temperatures below...

P-type multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), as well as heterostructures fabricated by direct deposition of inorganic thermoelectric materials as antimony and bismuth chalcogenides on MWCNT networks are known as perspective materials for application in flexible thermoelectric polymer-based composites. In this work, the electrical response of three...

This work is devoted to the fabrication of p-type polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based flexible thermoelectric composites using multiwall carbon nanotubes-antimony telluride (MWCNT-Sb2Te3) hybrid filler, the study of the thermoelectrical and mechanical properties of these composites, and the application of these composites in two types (planar and radial)...

In recent years, aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (ARLIBs) have attracted at- tention as an alternative technology for electrical storage. One of the perspective battery anode materials for application in ARLIBs is Bi2Se3, which has already shown good perspectives in the application of conventional lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) that use or...

Mismatch between adjacent atomic layers in low-dimensional materials, generating moiré patterns, has recently emerged as a suitable method to tune electronic properties by inducing strong electron correlations and generating novel phenomena. Beyond graphene, van der Waals structures such as three-dimensional (3D) topological insulators (TIs) appear...

In this work, simple and cost‐effective phyiscal vapor deposition method is applied for deposition of single Bi2Se3, Bi1.925Sn0.075Se3, Bi2Se2.975Te0.025 ultrathin films of average thickness 10–12 nm, and for the fabrication of n‐type 5‐layer nanolaminates. The nanolaminates are composed from alternating doped and undoped ultrathin films. Electrica...

The use of organic–inorganic nanocomposites has shown the greatest potential for engineering efficient flexible thermoelectric devices. In this work, a novel approach of encapsulation of as‐grown bismuth selenide‐multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Bi2Se3‐MWCNT) hybrid network in polyvinyl alcohol for fabrication of n‐type flexible thermoelectric films i...

Bi2Se3 thin films are widely studied as topological insulators and as prospective materials for thermoelectric and sensor applications. Storage of films under ambient conditions, especially at different humidities, may influence the physical properties of thin films. In the present work, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is used to investigate...

Due to their layered structure and high theoretical capacity, bismuth chalcogenides have been proposed as anodes in organic electrolyte Li- and Na-ion batteries. On the other hand, their electrochemical properties in aqueous systems have not been reported. Here, the electrochemical performance of Bi2Se3 thin films in 1 M NaNO3 aqueous electrolyte i...

Nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switches are potential candidates for memory and logic devices for low standby-current and harsh environment applications. Cryogenic operation of these devices would allow to use them, e.g., in space probes and in conjunction with quantum computers. Herein, it is demonstrated that cryogenic application requirements such...

The development of nanoscale solid-state devices exploiting the promising topological surface states of topological insulator materials requires careful device engineering and improved materials quality. For instance, the introduction of a substrate, device contact or the formation of oxide layers can cause unintentional doping of the material, spo...

This research is devoted to the fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) based n-type thermoelectric composites with innovative hybrid bismuth selenide-multiwalled carbon nanotube (Bi2Se3-MWCNT) fillers for application in flexible thermoelectric devices. Hybrid fillers were synthesized by direct deposition of Bi2Se3 on multiwalled carbon nanotubes u...

In this work, the Raman spectroscopy mapping technique is used for the analysis of mechanical strain in Bi2Se3thin films of various (3-400 nm) thicknesses synthesized by physical vapour deposition on amorphous quartz and single-layer graphene substrates. The evaluation of strain effects is based on the correlation analysis of in-plane (E2g) and out...

Nanoribbons of topological insulators (TIs) have been suggested for a variety of applications exploiting the properties of the topologically protected surface Dirac states. In these proposals it is crucial to achieve a high tunability of the Fermi energy, through the Dirac point while preserving a high mobility of the involved carriers. Tunable tra...

The yield and morphology (length, width, thickness) of stoichiometric Bi2Se3 nanoribbons grown by physical vapor deposition is studied as a function of the diameters and areal number density of the Au catalyst nanoparticles of mean diameters 8–150 nm formed by dewetting Au layers of thicknesses 1.5–16 nm. The highest yield of the Bi2Se3 nanoribbons...

Flexible thermoelectric generators are an emerging trend in the field of waste heat conversion, as well as wearable and autonomous devices. However, the energy conversion efficiency of the state-of-the-art flexible thermoelectric devices is too low for their wide application and commercialization. In this work, n- and p-type multiwalled carbon nano...

We have used Bi 2 Se 3 nanoribbons, grown by catalyst-free physical vapor deposition to fabricate high quality Josephson junctions with Al superconducting electrodes. In our devices, we observe a pronounced reduction of the Josephson critical current density J c by reducing the width of the junction, which in our case corresponds to the width of th...

We have used Bi$_2$Se$_3$ nanoribbons, grown by catalyst-free Physical Vapor Deposition to fabricate high quality Josephson junctions with Al superconducting electrodes. In our devices we observe a pronounced reduction of the Josephson critical current density $J_c$ by reducing the width of the junction, which in our case corresponds to the width o...

In this work simple cost-effective physical vapor deposition method for obtaining high-quality Bi2Se3 and Sb2Te3 ultrathin films with thicknesses down to 5 nm on mica, fused quartz and monolayer graphene substrates is reported. Physical vapor deposition of continuous Sb2Te3 ultrathin films with thicknesses 10 nm and below is demonstrated for the fi...

Bi2Se3/ZnO heterostructure is a new combination of high and low band gap nanomaterials that can be implemented for optoelectronic devices. Influence of the Bi2Se3 substrate on crystallization of ZnO nanolayers and charge separation at the Bi2Se3/ZnO interface are important parameters, which affect optical and electronic properties of the heterostru...

Bi2Se3 nanoribbons, grown by catalyst-free Physical Vapor Deposition, have been used to fabricate high quality Josephson junctions with Al superconducting electrodes. The conductance spectra (dI/dV) of the junctions show clear dip-peak structures characteristic of multiple Andreev reflections. The temperature dependence of the dip-peak features rev...

Bi$_2$Se$_3$ nanoribbons, grown by catalyst-free Physical Vapour Deposition, have been used to fabricate high quality Josephson junctions with Al superconducting electrodes. The conductance spectra (dI/dV) of the junctions show clear dip-peak structures characteristic of multiple Andreev reflections. The temperature dependence of the dip-peak featu...

In this work, a simple catalyst-free vapour-solid deposition method was applied for controlled deposition of two types (planar and disordered) of continuous $\text{Bi}_2 \text{Se}_3$ nanostructured thin films on different (fused quartz/glass, mica, graphene) substrates. Characterisation of electron transport (type, concentration and mobility of t...

In the present work, a catalyst-free physical vapour deposition method is used to synthesize high yield of Bi2Se3 nanoribbons. By replacing standard glass or quartz substrates with aluminium covered with ultrathin porous anodized aluminium oxide (AAO), the number of synthesized nanoribbons per unit area can be increased by 20–100 times. The mechani...

Electrostatically actuated nanobeam-based electromechanical switches have shown promise for versatile novel applications, such as low power devices. However, their widespread use is restricted due to poor reliability resulting from high jump-in voltages. This article reports a new method for lowering the jump-in voltage by inducing mechanical oscil...

Knowledge of nucleation and further growth of Bi2Se3 nanoplates on different substrates is crucial for obtaining ultrathin nanostructures and films of this material by physical vapour deposition technique. In this work, Bi2Se3 nanoplates were deposited under the same experimental conditions on different types of graphene substrates (as-transferred...

Many applications for topological insulators (TIs) as well as new phenomena require devices with reduced dimensions. While much progress has been made to realize thin films of TIs with low bulk carrier density, nanostructures have not yet been reported with similar properties, despite the fact that reduced dimensions should help diminishing the con...

Nanocomposites with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) mixed in a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) matrix were prepared by the melt processing method. Some mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the composites in relation to MWCNT concentration in them were investigated, and the results obtained are presented graphically.

This review summarizes relevant research in the field of electrostatically actuated nanobeam-based nanoelectromechanical (NEM) switches. The main switch architectures and structural elements are briefly described and compared. Investigation methods that allow for exploring coupled electromechanical interactions as well as studies of mechanically or...

An electrostatically induced resonance behaviour of individual topological insulator Bi₂Se₃ nanoribbons grown by a catalyst free vapour-solid synthesis was studied in-situ by scanning electron microscopy. It was demonstrated that the relation between the resonant frequencies of vibrations in orthogonal planes can be applied to...

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and graphene (G) have been extensively studied because of their unique physical properties. Here, Graphene-Zinc Oxide (G/ZnO) nanolaminates were fabricated, respectively, by chemical vapor deposition and low temperature atomic layer deposition technique. The number of obtained G/ZnO layers was tuned from 1 to 11 with a total thickn...

In this work, stoichiometric separate bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3) nanoplates and continuous Bi2Se3 coatings are synthesized on graphene substrate by catalyst-free vapor–solid deposition method. The orientation of synthesized nanoplates relative to the substrate surface varies from heteroepitaxial (planar) to oriented under different angles (non-plana...

We demonstrate a simple low-cost method of preparation of layered devices for opto- and thermoelectric applications. The devices consist of a functional Bi2Se3 layer of randomly oriented nanoplates and flexible nanobelts enclosed between two flat indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. The number of functional interconnections between the ITO electrodes...

We present a simple two-stage vapour-solid synthesis method for the growth of bismuth chalcogenide (Bi2Te3, Bi2Se3) topological insulator nanowires/nanobelts by using Bi2Se3 or Bi2Te3 powders as source materials. During the first stage of the synthesis process nanoplateteles, serving as "catalysts" for further nanowire/nanobelt growth, are formed....

This manuscript describes a novel experimental method, employing in-situ experiments inside a scanning electron microscope for the controlled exfoliation of graphene and graphite flakes, their subsequent weighing and transfer onto a substrate surface. All manipulations with graphene and graphite samples were carried out using a Ge nanowire integrat...

The photoconductive properties of Bi2S3 nanowires synthesized inside anodized alumina (AAO) membrane have been characterized as a function of illuminating photon energy between the wavelengths of 500 to 900 nm and at constant illumination intensity of 1–4 μW·cm−2. Photoconductivity spectra, photocurrent values, photocurrent onset/decay times of ind...

Electrochemical etching of metal wires is widely used to fabricate sharp probes for use in scanning tunnelling microscopy. In this work an electrochemical fabrication method of sharp aluminium probes coated with nanoporous anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) layer is described. The method presented here involves simultaneous anodisation and etching alum...

Recently, several research groups presented bistable two-terminal nanoelectromechanical switches based on individual single-clamped active element. All presented devices had one input electrode. Similar devices having two or more input electrodes have not been yet investigated. In this work we present the two-input bistable controlled nanoelectrome...

A unique two-source controlled nanoelectromechanical switch has been assembled from individual, single-clamped Ge nanowires. The switching behaviour was achieved by superimposing the control signals of specific frequencies to the electrostatic potential of the output terminals, eliminating the need for an additional gate electrode. Using an in situ...

Mechanical properties of nanoscale contacts have been probed in-situ by specially developed force sensor based on a quartz tuning fork resonator (TF). Additional control is provided by observation of process in scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). A piezoelectric manipulator allows precise positioning of at...

We demonstrate the application of Mo(6)S(3)I(6) molecular wire bundles for electrically controllable two-terminal on-off switches. We investigate how changes in the contact electrode material and geometry influence the device characteristics, hysteretic switching behavior and device stability. We also determine the device operating parameters, part...

Recently, nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) have attracted much attention due to their unique properties and possible applications that differ greatly from those of microelectromechanical systems. NEMS operating frequencies may achieve giga- and terahertz levels and their power consumption and heat capacity is extremely low. Moreover, integratio...

A two-terminal bistable device, having both ON and OFF regimes, has been demonstrated with Ge nanowires using an in situ TEM-STM technique. The function of the device is based on delicately balancing electrostatic, elastic, and adhesion forces between the nanowires and the contacts, which can be controlled by the applied voltage. The operation and...

A continuous-flow supercritical-fluid (SCF) method for growing carbon nanotubes (CNT) with high selectivity and in high yield was reported. The CNT/catalyst composites images are synthesized at 750°C and 5.17 MPa and the length of various nanotubes produced are found to be greater than 10μm. Distorted CNT with rough surfaces are generated at a pres...