Congratulations Dr. Dinh Thi Hinh and AEC Lab with a new publication in Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solid.  

High-dielectric permittivity ceramics are widely used in electric circuits, especially capacitors. Recently, Pb-free dielectric ceramic materials have attracted extensive attention because of the toxicity of Pb-based ones. This study investigated the crystal structure and energy capacities of the ternary (1-x-y) (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 -y(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 - xBaZrO3 dielectric ceramics. The studied samples were synthesized using a conventional solid-state reaction method. A dense microstructure and a perovskite structure indicate that all samples are sintered well at 1150 °C. As a function of x and y, the rhombohedral-to-tetragonal phase transition happened in the ceramics, the lattice volume was increased, and the lattice parameter c/a ratio was decreased. The nonergodic relaxor samples, which showed the coexistence of rhombohedral-tetragonal phases, presented large total energy densities and energy loss densities. Besides, the ergodic relaxor samples, which showed a single tetragonal phase, presented large energy storage density and efficiency. At room temperature, the 18BZ4 sample showed the maximum energy storage density of 0.58 J/cm3 at 60 kV/cm, corresponding to the Jstorage/Emax value of ∼9.7 × 10−3 J/(kV.cm2). In particular, the 18BZ4 sample presented an energy storage variation of ∼10 % in the temperature range of 25–125oC. The results suggest a potential lead-free ceramic candidate for piezo-capacitor applications. 

Project implementation workshop: "Life cycle of rare earth elements: sustainable development and reconciliation with native populations" with research participation of AEC group. 

On the morning of October 23, 2024, at Meeting Room 02, 28th floor, Building A9, Phenikaa University hosted a reception for a delegation of experts from Trent University; Laval University; INRS (Canada), University of Edinburgh (UK); Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and University of Natural Sciences - Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City to visit and work with Phenikaa University. This event aims to promote cooperation opportunities between Phenikaa University and Universities, National Research Institutes from Canada, the UK, and Vietnamese Universities.

Applied Electrochemistry Research Group (AEC Lab) participated in the project "Life cycle of rare earth elements: sustainable development and reconciliation with native populations" funded by the Canadian Council for Basic Sciences and Engineering. The project has 3 phases:

1) Organizing field trips between groups of Vietnamese and Canadian scientists,

2) Organizing field trips and sampling (Vietnamese group),

3) Conducting sample analysis training in Canada.

AEC LAB has published a new paper in Journal of The Electrochemical Society (Q1-R1)

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) causes significant impacts on human health and the environment due to its highly toxic properties. Thus, the design and development of gas sensors to detect and monitor H2S (especially at extremely low concentrations) are challenging tasks for scientists. In this work, SnO2 gas sensors were successfully synthesized directly on a chip by Sn electrodeposition from ethylene glycol solutions + a post-treatment (calcination) stage (to form and stabilize SnO2). Mechanisms and kinetics of Sn electrodeposition on Pt microelectrodes were thoroughly studied using electrochemical techniques. These fabricated gas sensors exhibit a high selectivity toward H2S gas and an effective response to low-level concentrations of H2S in the range of 0.1 ppm–1 ppm at different working temperatures. The influence of electrodeposition conditions and calcination temperatures on the gas response of sensors were also examined. The results have verified that the electrodeposition method from ethylene glycol solutions is promising for the fabrication of ultrasensitive on-chip gas sensors.  

AEC LAB has published a new paper in Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China (Q1, IF2024: 4,5)

Thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of Sn nucleation and growth processes onto a glassy carbon electrode from SnCl2·2H2O dissolved in ethylene glycol solutions were studied. Typical reduction and oxidation peaks observed in voltammograms have demonstrated the capability of ethylene glycol solutions to electrodeposit Sn. The temperature-dependence of diffusion coefficient values derived from potentiodynamic and potentiostatic studies helped to determine and validate estimations of the activation energy for Sn(II) bulk diffusion. Chronoamperometric results have identified that, the suitable model to describe the early stage of Sn electrodeposition could be composed of Sn three-dimensional nucleation and diffusion-controlled growth and water reduction contributions, which was duly validated by theoretical and experimental approaches. From the model, typical kinetic parameters such as the nucleation frequency of Sn (A), number density of Sn nuclei (N0), and diffusion coefficient of Sn(II) ions (D), were determined. The presence of Sn nuclei with excellent quality and their structures were verified using SEM, EDX, and XRD techniques. 

Nice collaboration with National Taipei University of Technology, Taiwan. The paper has been publication in Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 

In summary, we have synthesized carbon–rich exfoliated graphitic carbon nitride (Ex–C–g–CN) through thermal polycondensation followed by hydrothermal treatment, coupled with transition metal vanadate (FeVO4) and post–transition metal vanadate (InVO4) obtained via hydrothermal synthesis, to fabricate a bifunctional dual–Z–scheme IVO/FVO/Ex–C–g–CN nanocomposite material. This synthesis methodology resulted in ultrafast charge transfer and mitigated recombination, leading to an impressive 97.17 % 

Welcome Internship candidates, who has joined AEC LAB as exchanges Student from Canada!

With the desire for students to grow up in an international environment, the University always has exchange programs every year. Typically, in 2023, the University received 300 foreign students to participate in a short-term cultural exchange program, including 50 students from Mexico, 02 students from the Federal Republic of Germany to do an internship for two months,... That once again affirms that Phenikaa University focuses on international exchange activities.

Welcome Neftali Escobar Monsalvo, who has joined AEC LAB as a PhD exchange Student from Mexico!

On the morning of April 11, 2024, the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering, Phenikaa University organized a reception for Neftali Escobar Monsalvo - the first Mexican postgraduate student to study and research at the Applied Electrochemistry Research Group (ACE Lab).

Accordingly, Neftali Escobar Monsalvo will have 4 months of study and internship at the faculty under the guidance of Associate Professor, Dr. Le Manh Tu - Head of scientific research activities of students. During her study and research at the University, she plans to focus her research on "Studying the kinetics and nucleation mechanism of Se@CdSe on glassy carbon electrodes in ethaline solution". Sharing more about the reception of PhD student Neftali Escobar Monsalvo, Associate Professor, Dr. Manh Tu said that Neftali's presence is a good catalyst for the faculty's students in academic and professional exchanges in English, as well as creating an international environment at the faculty in particular and Phenikaa University in general. Because Neftali's exchange study period is quite long, 4 months, she can also have time to exchange and learn about Vietnamese culture and learn Vietnamese to understand the culture as well as share with friends and relatives in Mexico. 

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 PhD 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗸𝗮𝗮 University 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝘄𝗮𝗻 

PhD student Do Van Kiem, majoring in Materials Science and Engineering, is the first student from Phenikaa University to receive a fully funded scholarship to participate in the "International Internship Pilot Program" (IIPP) in Taiwan, from January 1 to March 31, 2024.

“International Internship Pilot Program” (IIPP) is a program organized by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC) for international students to experience Taiwan's strengths in field of science and technology. The IIPP program participates in sponsoring students - young highly qualified human resources to come to Taiwan to visit and experience the latest technologies, as well as participate in cooperation and cultural exchange activities with Taiwanese students and people.

The "International Internship Pilot Program" is a useful program for students, trainees and graduate students of the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering as well as Phenikaa University to practice using high technological equipment in one of the countries with the most developed technical industry today. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for Phenikaa University to expand and tighten cooperative relationships with academic partners in developed countries like Taiwan, creating favorable conditions for students, practitioners and PhD students can participate in many high-quality training programs, thereby contributing to promoting the School's image to international friends. 

Nice collaboration with UNAM University, Mexico. The paper has been publicationed in The Journal of Physical Chemistry State Electrochemistry C - A journal of the American chemical society.

This work presents the electrochemical nucleation and characterization of FeNi permalloy nanoparticles from a deep eutectic solvent based on choline chloride. FeNi nanoparticles were obtained by a single-potentiostatic-step from the mixture of Fe(III) and Ni(II) ions dissolved in the deep eutectic solvent. The experimental evidence for the formation of the alloy nanoparticles was verified by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (element mapping), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. These permalloy nanoparticles have shown outstanding magnetic properties, which are better than those of their individual components (Fe and Ni) obtained in the same eutectic solvent. The enhancement in magnetic properties of the obtained alloy was explained by theoretical studies using molecular dynamic simulations and hysteresis modeling. The origin of this enhancement is due to the presence of the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy, which shows the minimum value along the ([001]) magnetic easy direction in the permalloy. 

METROHM VIETNAM YOUNG ELECTROCHEMIST AWARD 2023 

In an atmosphere brimming with enthusiasm and scientific inspiration, Metrohm recently organized the "Young Electrochemist Award 2023" ceremony - a pivotal event for the electrochemistry research community in Vietnam. This event not only served as a platform to recognize and honor the contributions of young scientists but also demonstrated Metrohm's commitment to nurturing and developing the nation's scientific talent.

Among the notable awards presented, Hoang Thi Thanh Thuy, a talented graduate student, shone brightly by winning the Encouragement Prize in the "Young Electrochemist Award 2023". This achievement is not just a testament to Thuy's relentless effort and passion for science, but also the outcome of the dedicated guidance and profound expertise of Associate Professor Dr. Le Manh Tu. This award is not only a personal triumph for Thuy and her mentor but also an inspiration to many other students in the field of electrochemistry.

This event marked a significant milestone in encouraging and cultivating young scientific talent in Vietnam, paving the way for innovative and groundbreaking research in the future. 

Collaborations result in fruitful research discovery!

High entropy alloys have presented more interests in energy related applications including catalyst materials. Different high-entropy alloys based on FeNiCoCr system (FeNiCoCr, FeNiCoCrCu, and FeNiCoCrMn) were fabricated based on thermodynamic predictions and studied in terms of microstructure and grain orientation in relationship with their mechanical and catalytic properties. The single-phase FCC solid-solutions were obtained in all the fabricated alloys, which have shown excellent ductility during compressive testing. The coarse dendrictic microstructure was observed in FeNiCoCr and FeNiCoCrMn alloys, while the finer one was obtained in FeNiCoCrCu, which presented higher value of microhardness. This outstanding performance of FeNiCoCrCu has demonstrated as a promising candidate to substitute Pt for application as electrocatalyst in acidic media. 

Welcome Han Nguyen, who has joined AEC LAB as a Postdoctoral researcher!

Nguyen Thi Han obtained her master’s degree in physics in 2020 from the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU), Taiwan. She obtained her Ph.D. in Physics in 2023 from NCKU, Taiwan. Afterward, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Faculty of Material Science and Engineering (MSE), at Phenikaa University, Vietnam. Her main scientific interests are focused on the fundamental properties of two-dimensional (2D), and three-dimensional (3D) semiconductor materials by using first-principle calculations.