Advances in Materials Science Research

This compilation reports on the use of chemical modification as a complementary methodology in the study of various organic compounds by matrix-activated laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry, particularly focusing on results obtained since the last decade of the 20th century. The influence of a three-phase contact line on extrinsic-substrate-induced nucleation is discussed in detail, and various geometric configurations corresponding to certain scenarios are also identified. The authors explore the synthesis and phase transitions in hexaferrites of Y-type, and emphasis is placed on the magnetic phase transition leading to the observation of magneto-electric effects. Features of the structure, properties and synthesis of various modifications of vanadium dioxide are discussed, and the effects of doping with hydrogen by means of plasma-immersion ion implantation are explored. Additionally, the structural, electronic, magnetic and optical properties of BiFeO3 and its doped sister compounds are studied experimentally using density functional theory calculations.