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Author Ben Dkhil, S.; Pfannmöller, M.; Ata, I.; Duche, D.; Gaceur, M.; Koganezawa, T.; Yoshimoto, N.; Simon, J.-J.; Escoubas, L.; Videlot-Ackermann, C.; Margeat, O.; Bals, S.; Bauerle, P.; Ackermann, J. doi  openurl
  Title Time evolution studies of dithieno[3,2-b:2 ',3 '-d] pyrrole-based A-D-A oligothiophene bulk heterojunctions during solvent vapor annealing towards optimization of photocurrent generation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Journal of materials chemistry A : materials for energy and sustainability Abbreviated Journal J Mater Chem A  
  Volume 5 Issue 5 Pages 1005-1013  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Solvent vapor annealing (SVA) is one of the main techniques to improve the morphology of bulk heterojunction solar cells using oligomeric donors. In this report, we study time evolution of nanoscale morphological changes in bulk heterojunctions based on a well-studied dithienopyrrole-based A-D-A oligothiophene (dithieno[3,2-b: 2',3'-d] pyrrole named here 1) blended with [6,6]-phenyl-C-71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) to increase photocurrent density by combining scanning transmission electron microscopy and low-energy-loss spectroscopy. Our results show that SVA transforms the morphology of 1 : PC71BM blends by a three-stage mechanism: highly intermixed phases evolve into nanostructured bilayers that correspond to an optimal blend morphology. Additional SVA leads to completely phaseseparated micrometer-sized domains. Optical spacers were used to increase light absorption inside optimized 1 : PC71BM blends leading to solar cells of 7.74% efficiency but a moderate photocurrent density of 12.3 mA cm (-2). Quantum efficiency analyses reveal that photocurrent density is mainly limited by losses inside the donor phase. Indeed, optimized 1 : PC71BM blends consist of large donor-enriched domains not optimal for exciton to photocurrent conversion. Shorter SVA times lead to smaller domains; however they are embedded in large mixed phases suggesting that introduction of stronger molecular packing may help us to better balance phase separation and domain size enabling more efficient bulk heterojunction solar cells.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor  
  Language Wos 000394430800018 Publication Date (up) 2016-11-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2050-7488; 2050-7496 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.867 Times cited 19 Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes ; We acknowledge financial support by the French Fond Unique Interministeriel (FUI) under the project “SFUMATO” (Grant number: F1110019V/201308815) as well as by the European Commission under the Project “SUNFLOWER” (FP7-ICT-2011-7, Grant number: 287594). The synchrotron radiation experiments were performed at BL19B2 in SPring-8 with the approval of Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) (Proposal No. 2016A1568). We further acknowledge financial support via ERC Starting Grant Colouratoms (335078). ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.867  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:142602UA @ admin @ c:irua:142602 Serial 4695  
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Author Zhong, Z.; Goris, B.; Schoenmakers, R.; Bals, S.; Batenburg, K.J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A bimodal tomographic reconstruction technique combining EDS-STEM and HAADF-STEM Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 174 Issue 174 Pages 35-45  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract A three-dimensional (3D) chemical characterization of nanomaterials can be obtained using tomography based on high angle annular dark field (HAADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) or energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) STEM. These two complementary techniques have both advantages and disadvantages. The Z-contrast images have good image quality but lack robustness in the compositional analysis, while the elemental maps give more element-specific information, but at a low signal-to-noise ratio and a longer exposure time. Our aim is to combine these two types of complementary information in one single tomographic reconstruction process. Therefore, an imaging model is proposed combining both HAADF-STEM

and EDS-STEM. Based on this model, the elemental distributions can be reconstructed using both types of information simultaneously during the reconstruction process. The performance of the new technique is evaluated using simulated data and real experimental data. The results demonstrate that combining two imaging modalities leads to tomographic reconstructions with suppressed noise and enhanced contrast.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000403342200005 Publication Date (up) 2016-12-11  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 26 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This research is supported by the Dutch Technology Foundation STW (http://www.stw.nl/), which is part of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), and which is partly funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation under project number 13314. It is also supported by the Flemish research foundation (FWO Vlaanderen) by project funding (G038116N) and a postdoctoral research grant to B.G. Funding from the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. COLOURATOMS 335078) is acknowledged by S.B. The authors would like to thank Dr. Bernd Rieger and Dr. Richard Aveyard for useful discussions, and Prof. Dr. Luis M. Liz-Marzan for providing the investigated samples. We also acknowledge COST Action MP1207 for networking support. (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); saraecas; ECAS_Sara; Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:141719UA @ admin @ c:irua:141719 Serial 4484  
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Author Suffian, I.F.B.M.; Wang, J.T.-W.; Hodgins, N.O.; Klippstein, R.; Garcia-Maya, M.; Brown, P.; Nishimura, Y.; Heidari, H.; Bals, S.; Sosabowski, J.K.; Ogino, C.; Kondo, A.; Al-Jamal, K.T. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Engineering hepatitis B virus core particles for targeting HER2 receptors in vitro and in vivo Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Biomaterials Abbreviated Journal Biomaterials  
  Volume 120 Issue 120 Pages 126-138  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Hepatitis B Virus core (HBc) particles have been studied for their potential as drug delivery vehicles for cancer therapy. HBc particles are hollow nano-particles of 30-34 nm diameter and 7 nm thick envelopes, consisting of 180-240 units of 21 kDa core monomers. They have the capacity to assemble/dis-assemble in a controlled manner allowing encapsulation of various drugs and other biomolecules. Moreover, other functional motifs, i.e. receptors, receptor binding sequences, peptides and proteins can be expressed. This study focuses on the development of genetically modified HBc particles to specifically recognise and target human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-expressing cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo, for future cancer therapy. The non-specific binding capacity of wild type HBc particles was reduced by genetic deletion of the sequence encoding arginine-rich domains. A specific HER2-targeting was achieved by expressing the ZHER2 affibodies on the HBc particles surface. In vitro studies showed specific uptake of ZHER2-AHBc particles in HER2 expressing cancer cells. In vivo studies confirmed positive uptake of ZHER2-ABBc particles in HER2-expressing tumours, compared to non-targeted AHBc particles in intraperitoneal tumour-bearing mice models. The present results highlight the potential of these nanocarriers in targeting HER2-positive metastatic abdominal cancer following intra-peritoneal administration. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Guildford Editor  
  Language Wos 000394398900012 Publication Date (up) 2016-12-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0142-9612 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.402 Times cited 20 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; The authors would like to thank Dr. Rafael T. M. de Rosales (King's College London) for useful discussion on the radiolabelling technique and Mr William Luckhurst (King's College London) on the technical help of AFM measurements. IFBMS would like to thank Public Service Department, Government of Malaysia for the Excellence Student Programme studentship. We acknowledge funding from Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC; (BB/J008656/1)) and the EU FP7-ITN Marie-Curie Network programme RADDEL (290023). NH is a recipient of Graduate School King's Health Partner's scholarship. RIC is a Marie Curie Fellow. S.B. acknowledges funding from the European Research Council under the 7th Framework Program (FP7), ERC Starting Grant No. 335078 COLOURATOMS, and the Integrated Infrastructure Initiative No. 262348 European Soft Matter Infrastructure, ESMI. The authors declare that they have no competing interests. ; ecas_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 8.402  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:141984UA @ admin @ c:irua:141984 Serial 4654  
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Author Van Tendeloo, L.; Wangermez, W.; Vandekerkhove, A.; Willhammar, T.; Bals, S.; Maes, A.; Martens, J.A.; Kirschhock, C.E.A.; Breynaert, E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Postsynthetic high-alumina zeolite crystal engineering in organic free hyper-alkaline media Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal Chem Mater  
  Volume 29 Issue 29 Pages 629-638  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Postsynthetic modification of high -alumina zeolites in hyper alkaline media can be tailored toward alteration of framework topology, crystal size and morphology, or desired Si/A1 ratio. FAU, EMT, MAZ, KFI, HEU, and LTA starting materials were treated with 1.2 M MOH (M = Na, K, RE, or Cs), leading to systematic ordered porosity or fully transformed frameworks with new topology and adjustable Si/Al ratio. In addition to the versatility of this tool for zeolite crystal engineering, these alterations improve understanding of the crystal chemistry. Such knowledge can guide further development in zeolite crystal engineering. Postsynthetic alteration also provides insight on the long-term stability of aluminosilicate zeolites that are used as a sorption sink in concrete -based waste disposal facilities in harsh alkaline conditions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher American Chemical Society Place of Publication Washington, D.C Editor  
  Language Wos 000392891700021 Publication Date (up) 2016-12-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0897-4756 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.466 Times cited 16 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; This work was supported by long-term structural funding by the Flemish Government (Methusalem grant of Prof. J. Martens) and by ONDRAF/NIRAS, the Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Fissile Materials, as part of the program on surface disposal of Belgian Category A waste. The Belgian government is acknowledged for financing the interuniversity poles of attraction (IAP-PAI). S.B. acknowledges financial support from European Research Council (ERC Advanced Grant No. 24691-COUNTATOMS, ERC Starting Grant No. 335078-COLOURATOMS). ; Ecas_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 9.466  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:152674UA @ admin @ c:irua:152674 Serial 5145  
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Author Goris, B.; De Beenhouwer, J.; de Backer, A.; Zanaga, D.; Batenburg, J.; Sanchez-Iglesias, A.; Liz-Marzan, L.; Van Aert, S.; Sijbers, J.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Bals, S. doi  openurl
  Title Investigating lattice strain in Au nanodecahedrons Type P1 Proceeding
  Year 2016 Publication Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Issue Pages 11-12  
  Keywords P1 Proceeding; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos Publication Date (up) 2016-12-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 978-3-527-80846-5 ISBN Additional Links UA library record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:145813 Serial 5144  
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Author Rodal-Cedeira, S.; Montes-García, V.; Polavarapu, L.; Solís, D.M.; Heidari, H.; La Porta, A.; Angiola, M.; Martucci, A.; Taboada, J.M.; Obelleiro, F.; Bals, S.; Pérez-Juste, J.; Pastoriza-Santos, I. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Plasmonic Au@Pd Nanorods with Boosted Refractive Index Susceptibility and SERS Efficiency: A Multifunctional Platform for Hydrogen Sensing and Monitoring of Catalytic Reactions Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal Chem Mater  
  Volume 28 Issue 28 Pages 9169-9180  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Palladium nanoparticles (NPs) have received tremendous attention over the years due to their high catalytic activity for various chemical reactions. However, unlike other noble metal nanoparticles such as Au and Ag NPs, they exhibit poor plasmonic properties with broad extinction spectra and less scattering efficiency, and thus limiting their applications in the field of plasmonics. Therefore, it has been challenging to integrate tunable and strong plasmonic properties into catalytic Pd nanoparticles. Here we show that plasmonic Au@Pd nanorods (NRs) with relatively narrow and remarkably tunable optical responses in the NIR region can be obtained by directional growth of Pd on penta-twinned Au NR seeds. We found the presence of bromide ions facilitates the stabilization of facets for the directional growth of Pd shell to obtain Au@Pd nanorods (NR) with controlled length scales. Interestingly, it turns out the Au NR supported Pd NRs exhibit much narrow extinction compared to pure Pd NRs, which makes them suitable for plasmonic sensing applications. Moreover, these nanostructures display, to the best of our knowledge, one of the highest ensemble refractive index sensitivity values reported to date (1067 nm per refractive index unit, RIU). Additionally, we showed the application of such plasmonic Au@Pd NRs for localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-based sensing of hydrogen both in solution as well as on substrate. Finally, we demonstrate the integration of excellent plasmonic properties in catalytic palladium enables the in situ monitoring of a reaction progress by surface-enhanced Raman scattering. We postulate the proposed approach to boost the plasmonic properties of Pd nanoparticles will ignite the design of complex shaped plasmonic Pd NPs to be used in various plasmonic applications such as sensing and in situ monitoring of various chemical reactions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000391080900036 Publication Date (up) 2016-12-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0897-4756 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.466 Times cited 80 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Funding from Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Grants MAT2013-45168-R and MAT2016-77809-R) is gratefully acknowledge. A.L.P. and S.B. acknowledge support by the European Research Council through an ERC Starting Grant (#335078-COLOURATOMS). L. P. acknowledges the financial support from by the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung. V. M.-G. acknowledges the financial support from FPU scholarship from the Spanish MINECO. (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); ECAS_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 9.466  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:139513 Serial 4344  
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Author Sánchez-Iglesias, A.; Winckelmans, N.; Altantzis, T.; Bals, S.; Grzelczak, M.; Liz-Marzán, L.M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title High-Yield Seeded Growth of Monodisperse Pentatwinned Gold Nanoparticles through Thermally Induced Seed Twinning Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Journal of the American Chemical Society Abbreviated Journal J Am Chem Soc  
  Volume 139 Issue 139 Pages 107-110  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract We show here that thermal treatment of small seeds results in extensive twinning and a subsequent drastic yield improvement (>85%) in the formation of pentatwinned nanoparticles, with pre-selected morphology (nanorods, bipyramids and decahedra) and aspect ratio. The “quality” of the seeds thus defines the yield of the obtained nanoparticles, which in the case of nanorods avoids the need for additives such as Ag+ ions. This modified seeded growth method also improves reproducibility, as the seeds can be stored for extended periods of time without compromising the quality of the final nanoparticles. Additionally, minor modification of the seeds with Pd allows their localization within the final particles, which opens new avenues toward mechanistic studies. All together, these results represent a paradigm shift in anisotropic gold nanoparticle synthesis.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000392036900025 Publication Date (up) 2016-12-29  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0002-7863 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 13.858 Times cited 267 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Financial support is acknowledged from the European Research Council through ERC Advanced Grant Plasmaquo and the ERC Starting Grant COLOURATOM. T.A. acknowledges financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through a postdoctoral grant. (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); ECAS_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 13.858  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:139018UA @ admin @ c:irua:139018 Serial 4339  
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Author Garzia Trulli, M.; Claes, N.; Pype, J.; Bals, S.; Baert, K.; Terryn, H.; Sardella, E.; Favia, P.; Vanhulsel, A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Deposition of aminosilane coatings on porous Al2O3microspheres by means of dielectric barrier discharges Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Plasma processes and polymers Abbreviated Journal Plasma Process Polym  
  Volume 14 Issue 14 Pages 1600211  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)  
  Abstract Advances in the synthesis of porous microspheres and in their functionalization are increasing the interest in applications of alumina. This paper deals with coatings plasma deposited from 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane by means of dielectric barrier discharges on alumina porous microspheres, shaped by a vibrational droplet coagulation technique. Aims of the work are the functionalization of the particles with active amino groups, as well as the evaluation of their surface coverage and of the penetration of the coatings into their pores. A multi-diagnostic approach was used for the chemical/morphological characterization of the particles. It was found that 5 min exposure to plasma discharges promotes the deposition of homogeneous coatings onto the microspheres and within their pores, down to 1 μm.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000410773200003 Publication Date (up) 2017-01-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1612-8850 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.846 Times cited 8 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The technical assistance of the VITO staff (Materials Dpt.) is gratefully acknowledged, especially D. Havermans, E. Van Hoof, R. Kemps (SEM-EDX), and A. De Wilde (Hg Porosimetry). Drs. S. Mullens and G. Scheltjens are kindly acknowledged for constructive discussions. Strategic Initiative Materials in Flanders (SIM) is gratefully acknowledged for its financial support. This research was carried out in the framework of the SIM-TRAP program (Tools for rational processing of nano-particles: controlling and tailoring nanoparticle based or nanomodified particle based materials). N. Claes and S. Bals acknowledge financial support from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOM). (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); saraecas; ECAS_Sara; Approved Most recent IF: 2.846  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:139511UA @ admin @ c:irua:139511 Serial 4342  
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Author Debroye, E.; Yuan, H.; Bladt, E.; Baekelant, W.; Van der Auweraer, M.; Hofkens, J.; Bals, S.; Roeffaers, M.B.J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Facile morphology-controlled synthesis of organolead iodide perovskite nanocrystals using binary capping agents Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication ChemNanoMat : chemistry of nanomaterials for energy, biology and more Abbreviated Journal Chemnanomat  
  Volume 3 Issue 3 Pages 223-227  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Controlling the morphology of organolead halide perovskite crystals is crucial to a fundamental understanding of the materials and to tune their properties for device applications. Here, we report a facile solution-based method for morphology-controlled synthesis of rod-like and plate-like organolead halide perovskite nanocrystals using binary capping agents. The morphology control is likely due to an interplay between surface binding kinetics of the two capping agents at different crystal facets. By high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, we show that the obtained nanocrystals are monocrystalline. Moreover, long photoluminescence decay times of the nanocrystals indicate long charge diffusion lengths and low trap/defect densities. Our results pave the way for large-scale solution synthesis of organolead halide perovskite nanocrystals with controlled morphology for future device applications.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000399604300003 Publication Date (up) 2017-01-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2199-692x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.937 Times cited 19 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; We acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO, grant G.0197.11, G.0962.13, G0B39.15, postdoctoral fellowship to E. D. and H. Y.), KU Leuven Research Fund (C14/15/053), the Flemish government through long term structural funding Methusalem (CASAS2, Meth/15/04), the Hercules foundation (HER/11/14), the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (IAP-PH05), the EC through the Marie Curie ITN project iSwitch (GA-642196) and the ERC project LIGHT (GA307523). S. B. acknowledges financial support from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant # 335078-COLOURATOMS). E. B. gratefully acknowledges financial support by the Flemish Fund for Scientific Research (FWO Vlaanderen). ; ecas_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 2.937  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:143678UA @ admin @ c:irua:143678 Serial 4656  
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Author Barhoum, A.; Van Assche, G.; Rahier, H.; Fleisch, M.; Bals, S.; Delplancked, M.-P.; Leroux, F.; Bahnemann, D. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Sol-gel hot injection synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles into a porous silica matrix and reaction mechanism Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Materials & design Abbreviated Journal Mater Design  
  Volume 119 Issue 119 Pages 270-276  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Despite the enormous interest in the properties and applications of porous silica matrix, only a few attempts have been reported to deposit metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) inside the porous silica matrix. We report a simple approach (i.e. sol-gel hot injection) for insitu synthesis of ZnO NPs inside a porous silica matrix. Control of the Zn:Si molar ratio, reaction temperature, pH value, and annealing temperature permits formation of ZnO NPs (<= 10 nm) inside a porous silica particles, without additives or organic solvents. Results revealed that a solid state reaction inside the ZnO/SiO2 nanocomposites occurs with increasing the annealing temperature. The reaction of ZnO NPs with SiO2 matrix was insignificant up to approximately 500 degrees C. However, ZnO NPs react strongly with the silica matrix when the nanocomposites are annealed at temperatures above 700 degrees C. Extensive annealing of the ZnO/SiO2 nanocomposite at 900 degrees C yields 3D structures made of 500 nm rod-like, 5-7 pm tube-like and 35 pm needle-like Zn2SiO4 crystals. A possible mechanism for forming ZnO NPs inside porous silica matrix and phase transformation of the ZnO/SiO2 nanocomposites into 3D architectures of Zn2SiO4 are carefully discussed. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000397360000030 Publication Date (up) 2017-01-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0264-1275 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.364 Times cited 43 Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes ; A.B. would like to thank FWO – Research Foundation Flanders (grant no. V450315N) and the Strategic Initiative Materials in Flanders (SBO-project no. 130529 – INSITU) for financial support. TEM and TEM-EDX analyses were performed by Dr. F. Leroux (EMAT, Universiteit Antwerpen). XRD and DSC measurements were performed by T. Segato (4MAT, Universite Libre de Bruxelles). Notes: the authors declare no competing for financial interest. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.364  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:142394UA @ admin @ c:irua:142394 Serial 4689  
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Author Zhuge, X.; Jinnai, H.; Dunin-Borkowski, R.E.; Migunov, V.; Bals, S.; Cool, P.; Bons, A.-J.; Batenburg, K.J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Automated discrete electron tomography – Towards routine high-fidelity reconstruction of nanomaterials Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 175 Issue 175 Pages 87-96  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)  
  Abstract Electron tomography is an essential imaging technique for the investigation of morphology and 3D structure of nanomaterials. This method, however, suffers from well-known missing wedge artifacts due to a restricted tilt range, which limits the objectiveness, repeatability and efficiency of quantitative structural analysis. Discrete tomography represents one of the promising reconstruction techniques for materials science, potentially capable of delivering higher fidelity reconstructions by exploiting the prior knowledge of the limited number of material compositions in a specimen. However, the application of discrete tomography to practical datasets remains a difficult task due to the underlying challenging mathematical problem. In practice, it is often hard to obtain consistent reconstructions from experimental datasets. In addition, numerous parameters need to be tuned manually, which can lead to bias and non-repeatability. In this paper, we present the application of a new

iterative reconstruction technique, named TVR-DART, for discrete electron tomography. The technique is capable of consistently delivering reconstructions with significantly reduced missing wedge artifacts for a variety of challenging data and imaging conditions, and can automatically estimate its key parameters. We describe the principles of the technique and apply it to datasets from three different types of samples acquired under diverse imaging modes. By further reducing the available tilt range and number of projections, we show that the

proposed technique can still produce consistent reconstructions with minimized missing wedge artifacts. This new development promises to provide the electron microscopy community with an easy-to-use and robust tool for high-fidelity 3D characterization of nanomaterials.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000403342500008 Publication Date (up) 2017-01-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited 22 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work has been supported in part by the Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschappen (STW) through a personal grant (Veni,13610), and was in part by ExxonMobil Chemical Europe Inc. The authors further acknowledge financial support from the University of Antwerp through BOF GOA funding. S.B. acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOMS). R.D.B. is grateful for funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013)/ ERC grant agreement number 320832. Thomas Altantzis is gratefully acknowledged for acquiring the Anatase nanosheets dataset. (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); saraecas; ECAS_Sara; Approved Most recent IF: 2.843  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:141218UA @ admin @ c:irua:141218 Serial 4485  
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Author Blommaerts, N.; Asapu, R.; Claes, N.; Bals, S.; Lenaerts, S.; Verbruggen, S.W. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Gas phase photocatalytic spiral reactor for fast and efficient pollutant degradation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal Chem Eng J  
  Volume 316 Issue 316 Pages 850-856  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)  
  Abstract Photocatalytic reactors for the degradation of gaseous organic pollutants often suffer from major limitations such as small reaction area, sub-optimal irradiation conditions and thus limited reaction rate. In this work, an alternative solution is presented that involves a glass tube coated on the inside with (silvermodified) TiO2 and spiraled around a UVA lamp. First, the spiral reactor is coated from the inside with TiO2 using an experimentally verified procedure that is optimized toward UV light transmission. This procedure is kept as simple as possible and involves a single casting step of a 1 wt% suspension of TiO2 in ethanol through the spiral. This results in a coated tube that absorbs nearly all incident UV light under the experimental conditions used. The optimized coated spiral reactor is then benchmarked to a conventional annular photoreactor of the same outer dimensions and total catalyst loading over a broad range of experimental conditions. Although residence time distribution experiments indicate slightly longer dwelling of molecules in the spiral reactor, no significant difference in by-passing of gas between the spiral reactor and the annular reactor can be claimed. Acetaldehyde degradation efficiency of 100% is obtained with the spiral reactor for a residence time as low as 60 s, whereas the annular reactor could not achieve full degradation even at 1000 s residence time. In a final case study, addition of long-term stable silver nanoparticles, protected by an ultra-thin polymer shell applied via the layer-by-layer (LbL) method, to the spiral reactor coating is shown to double the degradation efficiency and provides an interesting strategy to cope with higher pollutant concentrations without changing the overall dimensions.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000398985200089 Publication Date (up) 2017-02-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1385-8947 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.216 Times cited 30 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes N.B. wishes to thank the University of Antwerp – Belgium for financial support. N.C. and S.B. acknowledge financial support from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078- COLOURATOM). S.W.V. acknowledges the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) for a postdoctoral fellowship. (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); ecas_sara Approved Most recent IF: 6.216  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:140925UA @ admin @ c:irua:140925 Serial 4481  
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Author Kurttepeli, M.; Deng, S.; Mattelaer, F.; Cott, D.J.; Vereecken, P.; Dendooven, J.; Detavernier, C.; Bals, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Heterogeneous TiO2/V2O5/Carbon Nanotube Electrodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication ACS applied materials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal Acs Appl Mater Inter  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 8055-8064  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) is proposed and investigated as a cathode material for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. However, the dissolution of V2O5 during the charge/discharge remains as an issue at the V2O5–electrolyte interface. In this work, we present a heterogeneous nanostructure with carbon nanotubes supported V2O5/titanium dioxide (TiO2) multilayers as electrodes for thin-film Li-ion batteries. Atomic layer deposition of V2O5 on carbon nanotubes provides enhanced Li storage capacity and high rate performance. An additional TiO2 layer leads to increased morphological stability and in return higher electrochemical cycling performance of V2O5/carbon nanotubes. The physical and chemical properties of TiO2/V2O5/carbon nanotubes are characterized by cyclic voltammetry and charge/discharge measurements as well as electron microscopy. The detailed mechanism of the protective TiO2 layer to improve the electrochemical cycling stability of the V2O5 is unveiled.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000396186000021 Publication Date (up) 2017-03-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1944-8244 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.504 Times cited 28 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes European Research Council, 239865 335078 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek; Agentschap voor Innovatie door Wetenschap en Technologie, 18142 ; Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds, GOA – 01G01513 ; This research was funded by the Flemish research foundation FWO-Vlaanderen, by the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. 239865 and No. 335078), by IWT-Flanders (SBO project IWT 18142 “SoS-Lion”) and by the Special Research Fund BOF of Ghent University (GOA – 01G01513); colouratoms (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); ECAS_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 7.504  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:142446UA @ admin @ c:irua:142446 Serial 4572  
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Author van der Stam, W.; Geuchies, J.J.; Altantzis, T.; van den Bos, K.H.W.; Meeldijk, J.D.; Van Aert, S.; Bals, S.; Vanmaekelbergh, D.; de Mello Donega, C. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Highly Emissive Divalent-Ion-Doped Colloidal CsPb1–xMxBr3Perovskite Nanocrystals through Cation Exchange Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Journal of the American Chemical Society Abbreviated Journal J Am Chem Soc  
  Volume 139 Issue 139 Pages 4087-4097  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Colloidal CsPbX3 (X = Br, Cl, and I) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have emerged as promising phosphors and solar cell materials due to their remarkable optoelectronic properties. These properties can be tailored by not only controlling the size and shape of the NCs but also postsynthetic composition tuning through topotactic

anion exchange. In contrast, property control by cation exchange is still underdeveloped for colloidal CsPbX3 NCs. Here, we present a method that allows partial cation exchange in colloidal CsPbBr3 NCs, whereby Pb2+ is exchanged for several isovalent cations, resulting in doped CsPb1−xMxBr3 NCs (M= Sn2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+; 0 < x ≤ 0.1), with preservation of the original NC shape. The size of the parent NCs is also preserved in the product NCs, apart from a small (few

%) contraction of the unit cells upon incorporation of the guest cations. The partial Pb2+ for M2+ exchange leads to a blue-shift of the optical spectra, while maintaining the high photoluminescence quantum yields (>50%), sharp absorption features, and narrow emission of the parent CsPbBr3 NCs. The blue-shift in the optical spectra is attributed to the lattice contraction that accompanies the Pb2+ for M2+ cation exchange and is observed to scale linearly with the lattice contraction. This work opens up new possibilities to engineer the properties of halide perovskite NCs, which to date are demonstrated to be the only known

system where cation and anion exchange reactions can be sequentially combined while preserving the original NC shape, resulting in compositionally diverse perovskite NCs.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
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  Language Wos 000397477700027 Publication Date (up) 2017-03-10  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0002-7863 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 13.858 Times cited 535 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes W.v.d.S. and C.d.M.D. acknowledge financial support from the division of Chemical Sciences (CW) of The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) under grant number ECHO.712.012.001. J.J.G. and D.V. acknowledge financial support from the Debye Graduate program. S.B. acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant # 335078-COLOURATOMS). K.H.W.v.d.B., S.B., S.V.A. and T.A. acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0374.13N, G.0368.15N, G.0369.15N), a Ph.D. grant to K.H.W.v.d.B, and a postdoctoral research grant to T.A. (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); ECAS_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 13.858  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:141754UA @ admin @ c:irua:141754 Serial 4482  
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Author Berthold, T.; Castro, C.R.; Winter, M.; Hoerpel, G.; Kurttepeli, M.; Bals, S.; Antonietti, M.; Fechler, N. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Tunable nitrogen-doped carbon nanoparticles from tannic acid and urea and their potential for sustainable soots Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication ChemNanoMat : chemistry of nanomaterials for energy, biology and more Abbreviated Journal Chemnanomat  
  Volume 3 Issue 3 Pages 311-318  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Nano-sized nitrogen-doped carbon spheres are synthesized from two cheap, readily available and sustainable precursors: tannic acid and urea. In combination with a polymer structuring agent, nitrogen content, sphere size and the surface (up to 400 m(2)g(-1)) can be conveniently tuned by the precursor ratio, temperature and structuring agent content. Because the chosen precursors allow simple oven synthesis and avoid harsh conditions, this carbon nanosphere platform offers a more sustainable alternative to classical soots, for example, as printing pigments or conduction soots. The carbon spheres are demonstrated to be a promising as conductive carbon additive in anode materials for lithium ion batteries.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
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  Language Wos 000403299200006 Publication Date (up) 2017-03-10  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2199-692x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.937 Times cited 14 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; S.B. is grateful for funding by the European Research Council (ERC starting grant # 335078-COLOURATOMS). ; ecas_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 2.937  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:144287UA @ admin @ c:irua:144287 Serial 4699  
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Author Benetti, G.; Cavaliere, E.; Canteri, A.; Landini, G.; Rossolini, G.M.; Pallecchi, L.; Chiodi, M.; Van Bael, M.J.; Winckelmans, N.; Bals, S.; Gavioli, L. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Direct synthesis of antimicrobial coatings based on tailored bi-elemental nanoparticles Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication APL materials Abbreviated Journal Apl Mater  
  Volume 5 Issue 5 Pages 036105  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Ultrathin coatings based on bi-elemental nanoparticles (NPs) are very promising to limit the surface-related spread of bacterial pathogens, particularly in nosocomial environments. However, tailoring the synthesis, composition, adhesion to substrate, and antimicrobial spectrum of the coating is an open challenge. Herein, we report on a radically new nanostructured coating, obtained by a one-step gas-phase deposition technique, and composed of bi-elemental Janus type Ag/Ti NPs. The NPs are characterized by a cluster-in-cluster mixing phase with metallic Ag nano-crystals embedded in amorphous TiO2 and present a promising antimicrobial activity including also multidrug resistant strains. We demonstrate the flexibility of the method to tune the embedded Ag nano-crystals dimension, the total relative composition of the coating, and the substrate type, opening the possibility of tailoring the dimension, composition, antimicrobial spectrum, and other physical/chemical properties of such multi-elemental systems. This work is expected to significantly spread the range of applications of NPs coatings, not only as an effective tool in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections but also in other technologically relevant fields like sensors or nano-/micro joining.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000398951000014 Publication Date (up) 2017-03-20  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2166-532X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.335 Times cited 21 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes We thank Urs Gfeller for the XRF measurements, Francesco Banfi for valuable discussions on the manuscript and Giulio Viano for his valuable support in the microbiological analysis. The authors acknowledge the financial support of Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore through D.2.2 and D.3.1 grants and from the European Union through the 7th Framework Program (FP7) under a contract for an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative (Reference No. 312483 ESTEEM2). REFERENCES Approved Most recent IF: 4.335  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:141723UA @ admin @ c:irua:141723 Serial 4479  
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Author Albrecht, W.; Goris, B.; Bals, S.; Hutter, E.M.; Vanmaekelbergh, D.; van Huis, M.A.; van Blaaderen, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Morphological and chemical transformations of single silica-coated CdSe/CdS nanorods upon fs-laser excitation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 4810-4818  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Radiation-induced modifications of nanostructures are of fundamental interest and constitute a viable out-of-equilibrium approach to the development of novel nanomaterials. Herein, we investigated the structural transformation of silica-coated CdSe/CdS nanorods (NRs) under femtosecond (fs) illumination. By comparing the same nanorods before and after illumination with different fluences we found that the silica-shell did not only enhance the stability of the NRs but that the confinement of the NRs also led to novel morphological and chemical transformations. Whereas uncoated CdSe/CdS nanorods were found to sublimate under such excitations the silica-coated nanorods broke into fragments which deformed towards a more spherical shape. Furthermore, CdS decomposed which led to the formation of metallic Cd, confirmed by high-resolution electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), whereby an epitaxial interface with the remaining CdS lattice was formed. Under electron beam exposure similar transformations were found to take place which we followed in situ.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor  
  Language Wos 000398954800022 Publication Date (up) 2017-03-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.367 Times cited 4 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; The authors acknowledge financial support from the European Research Council under the European Unions Seventh Framework Programme (FP-2007-2013)/ERC Advanced Grant Agreement 291667 HierarSACol. The authors furthermore acknowledge financial support from the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant 335078-COLOURATOMS and ERC Consolidator Grant 683076 NANO-INSITU). The authors also appreciate financial support from the European Union under the Seventh Framework Program (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative No. 262348 European Soft Matter Infrastructure, ESMI). This work was supported by the Flemish Fund for Scientific Research (FWO Vlaanderen) through a postdoctoral research grant to B. G. The authors furthermore thank Dave J. van den Heuvel and Hans C. Gerritsen for use of the Thorlabs powermeter. We furthermore thank Ernest van der Wee for the simulation of the confocal point spread functions. ; ecas_sara Approved Most recent IF: 7.367  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:142384UA @ admin @ c:irua:142384 Serial 4670  
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Author Bueken, B.; Van Velthoven, N.; Willhammar, T.; Stassin, T.; Stassen, I.; Keen, D.A.; Baron, G.V.; Denayer, J.F.M.; Ameloot, R.; Bals, S.; De Vos, D.; Bennett, T.D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Gel-based morphological design of zirconium metal-organic frameworks Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Chemical science Abbreviated Journal Chem Sci  
  Volume 8 Issue 8 Pages 3939-3948  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The ability of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to gelate under specific synthetic conditions opens up new opportunities in the preparation and shaping of hierarchically porous MOF monoliths, which could be directly implemented for catalytic and adsorptive applications. In this work, we present the first examples of xero-or aerogel monoliths consisting solely of nanoparticles of several prototypical Zr4+-based MOFs: UiO-66-X (X – H, NH2, NO2, (OH)(2)), UiO-67, MOF-801, MOF-808 and NU-1000. High reactant and water concentrations during synthesis were observed to induce the formation of gels, which were converted to monolithic materials by drying in air or supercritical CO2. Electron microscopy, combined with N-2 physisorption experiments, was used to show that irregular nanoparticle packing leads to pure MOF monoliths with hierarchical pore systems, featuring both intraparticle micropores and interparticle mesopores. Finally, UiO-66 gels were shaped into monolithic spheres of 600 mm diameter using an oil-drop method, creating promising candidates for packed-bed catalytic or adsorptive applications, where hierarchical pore systems can greatly mitigate mass transfer limitations.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Royal Society of Chemistry Place of Publication Cambridge Editor  
  Language Wos 000400553000077 Publication Date (up) 2017-03-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2041-6520 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.668 Times cited 168 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; B. B., T. S. and I. S. acknowledge the FWO Flanders (doctoral and post-doctoral grants). T. W. acknowledges a post-doctoral grant from the Swedish Research Council. T. D. B. acknowledges the Royal Society (University Research Fellowship) and Trinity Hall (University of Cambridge) for funding. S. B. and D. D. V. are grateful for funding by Belspo (IAP 7/05 P6/27) and by the FWO Flanders. D. D. V. further acknowledges funding from the European Research Council (project H-CCAT). S. B. acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOMS). The authors acknowledge Arnau Carne and Shuhei Furukawa for assistance with supercritical CO<INF>2</INF> extraction, and Charles Ghesquiere for assistance in synthesis. ; Ecas_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 8.668  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:152643UA @ admin @ c:irua:152643 Serial 5143  
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Author Willhammar, T.; Sentosun, K.; Mourdikoudis, S.; Goris, B.; Kurttepeli, M.; Bercx, M.; Lamoen, D.; Partoens, B.; Pastoriza-Santos, I.; Pérez-Juste, J.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.; Bals, S.; Van Tendeloo, G. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Structure and vacancy distribution in copper telluride nanoparticles influence plasmonic activity in the near-infrared Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Nature communications Abbreviated Journal Nat Commun  
  Volume 8 Issue 8 Pages 14925  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)  
  Abstract Copper chalcogenides find applications in different domains including photonics, photothermal therapy and photovoltaics. CuTe nanocrystals have been proposed as an alternative to noble metal particles for plasmonics. Although it is known that deviations from stoichiometry are a prerequisite for plasmonic activity in the near-infrared, an accurate description of the material and its (optical) properties is hindered by an insufficient understanding of the atomic structure and the influence of defects, especially for materials in their nanocrystalline form. We demonstrate that the structure of Cu1.5±xTe nanocrystals canbe determined using electron diffraction tomography. Real-space high-resolution electron tomography directly reveals the three-dimensional distribution of vacancies in the structure. Through first-principles density functional theory, we furthermore demonstrate that the influence of these vacancies on the optical properties of the nanocrystals is determined. Since our methodology is applicable to a variety of crystalline nanostructured materials, it is expected to provide unique insights concerning structure–property correlations.  
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  Language Wos 000397799700001 Publication Date (up) 2017-03-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2041-1723 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.124 Times cited 37 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The work was financially supported by the European Research Council through an ERC Starting Grant (#335078-COLOURATOMS). T.W. acknowledges the Swedish Research Council for an international postdoc grant. We acknowledge financial support of FWO-Vlaanderen through project G.0216.14N, G.0369.15N and a postdoctoral research grant to B.G. The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center) and the HPC infrastructure of the University of Antwerp (CalcUA), both funded by the FWO-Vlaanderen and the Flemish Government–Department EWI. The work was further supported by the Spanish MINECO (MAT2013-45168-R). S.M. thanks the Action ooSupporting Postdoctoral Researchers44 of the Operational Program ‘Education and Lifelong Learning’ (Action’s Beneficiary: General Secretariat for Research and Technology of Greece), which was co-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Greek State. (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:can); ECAS_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 12.124  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:142203UA @ admin @ c:irua:142203 Serial 4538  
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Author Mernissi Cherigui, E.A.; Sentosun, K.; Bouckenooge, P.; Vanrompay, H.; Bals, S.; Terryn, H.; Ustarroz, J. url  doi
openurl 
  Title A Comprehensive Study of the Electrodeposition of Nickel Nanostructures from Deep Eutectic Solvents: Self-Limiting Growth by Electrolysis of Residual Water Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C  
  Volume 121 Issue 121 Pages 9337-9347  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The electrodeposition of nickel nanostructures on glassy carbon was investigated in 1:2 choline chloride – urea (1:2 ChCl-U) deep eutectic solvent (DES). By combining electrochemical techniques with ex-situ FE-SEM, XPS, HAADF-STEM and EDX, the electrochemical processes occurring during nickel deposition were better understood. Special attention was given to the interaction between the solvent and the growing nickel nanoparticles. The application of a suffciently negative potential results into the electrocatlytic hydrolisis of residual water in the DES, which leads to the formation of a mixed layer of Ni/Ni(OH)2(ads). In addition, hydrogen bonds between hydroxide species and the DES components could be formed, quenching the growth of the nickel clusters favouring their aggregation. Due to these processes, a highly dense distribution of nickel nanostructures can be obtained within a wide potential range. Understanding the role of residual water and the interactions at the interface during metal electrodeposition from DESs is essential to produce supported nanostructures in a controllable way for a broad range of applications and technologies.  
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  Language Wos 000400881100027 Publication Date (up) 2017-04-12  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1932-7447 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.536 Times cited 66 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes E.A. Mernissi Cherigui acknowledges funding from the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek in Flanders (FWO, research project G019014N). S. Bals acknowledges funding from the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. COLOURATOMS 335078). H.V. gratefully acknowledges financial support by the Flemish Fund for Scientifi c Research (FWO Vlaanderen). Finally, J. Ustarroz acknowledges funding from the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek in Flanders (FWO, postdoctoral grant 12I7816N). (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); ECAS_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 4.536  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:142208UA @ admin @ c:irua:142208 Serial 4551  
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Author Ustarroz, J.; Geboes, B.; Vanrompay, H.; Sentosun, K.; Bals, S.; Breugelmans, T.; Hubin, A. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Electrodeposition of Highly Porous Pt Nanoparticles Studied by Quantitative 3D Electron Tomography: Influence of Growth Mechanisms and Potential Cycling on the Active Surface Area Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication ACS applied materials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal Acs Appl Mater Inter  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 16168-16177  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)  
  Abstract Nanoporous Pt nanoparticles (NPs) are promising fuel cell catalysts due to their large surface area and increased electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report on the infuence of the growth mechanisms on the surface properties of electrodeposited Pt dendritic NPs with large surface areas. The electrochemically active surface was studied by hydrogen underpotential deposition (HUPD) and compared for the rst time to high angle annular dark eld scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) quantitative 3D electron tomography of individual nanoparticles. Large nucleation overpotential leads to a large surface coverage of Pt roughened spheroids, which provide large roughness factor (Rf ) but low mass-speci c electrochemically active surface area (EASA). Lowering the nucleation overpotential leads to highly porous Pt NPs with pores protruding to the center of the structure. At the expense of smaller Rf , the obtained EASA values of these structures are in the range of these of large surface area supported fuel cell catalysts. The active surface area of the Pt dendritic NPs was measured by electron tomography and it was found that the potential cycling in the H adsorption/desorption and Pt oxidation/reduction region, which is generally performed to determine the EASA, leads to a signi cant reduction of that surface area due to a partial collapse of their dendritic and porous morphology. Interestingly, the extrapolation of the microscopic tomography results to macroscopic electrochemical parameters indicated that the surface properties measured by H UPD are comparable to the values measured on individual NPs by electron tomography after the degradation caused by the H UPD measurement. These results highlight that the combination of electrochemical and quantitative 3D surface analysis techniques is essential to provide insights into the surface properties, the electrochemical stability and, hence, the applicability of these materials. Moreover, it indicates that care must be taken with widely used electrochemical methods of surface area determination, especially in the case of large surface area and possibly unstable nanostructures, since the measured surface can be strongly a ected by the measurement itself.  
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  Language Wos 000401782500028 Publication Date (up) 2017-04-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1944-8244 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.504 Times cited 24 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Jon Ustarroz acknowledges funding from the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek in Flanders (FWO, postdoctoral grant 12I7816N). S. Bals acknowledges funding from the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. COLOURATOMS 335078). S.B. and T.B. acknowledge the University of Antwerp for nancial support in the frame of a GOA project. H.V. gratefully acknowledges nancial support by the Flemish Fund for Scienti c Research (FWO Vlaanderen). All the authors acknowledge Laurens Stevaert for his contribution to the work presented in this manuscript. (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); ECAS_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 7.504  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:142345UA @ admin @ c:irua:142345 Serial 4552  
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Author Ata, I.; Ben Dkhil, S.; Pfannmoeller, M.; Bals, S.; Duche, D.; Simon, J.-J.; Koganezawa, T.; Yoshimoto, N.; Videlot-Ackermann, C.; Margeat, O.; Ackermann, J.; Baeuerle, P. url  doi
openurl 
  Title The influence of branched alkyl side chains in A-D-A oligothiophenes on the photovoltaic performance and morphology of solution-processed bulk-heterojunction solar cells Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Organic chemistry frontiers : an international journal of organic chemistry Abbreviated Journal Org Chem Front  
  Volume 4 Issue 4 Pages 1561-1573  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Besides providing sufficient solubility, branched alkyl chains also affect the film-forming and packing properties of organic semiconductors. In order to avoid steric hindrance as it is present in wide-spread alkyl chains comprising a branching point position at the C2-position, i.e., 2-ethylhexyl, the branching point can be moved away from the pi-conjugated backbone. In this report, we study the influence of the modification of the branching point position from the C2-position in 2-hexyldecylamine (1) to the C4-position in 4-hexyldecylamine (2) connected to the central dithieno[3,2-b: 2', 3'-d] pyrrole (DTP) moiety in a well-studied A-D-A oligothiophene on the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performance in solution- processed bulk heterojunction solar cells (BHJSCs) with [6,6]-phenyl-C71-butyric acid methyl ester (PC71BM) as the acceptor material. Post-treatment of the photoactive layers is performed via solvent vapor annealing (SVA) in order to improve the film microstructure of the bulk heterojunction. The time evolution of nanoscale morphological changes is followed by combining scanning transmission electron microscopy with low-energy-loss spectroscopic imaging (STEM-SI), solid-state absorption spectroscopy, and two-dimensional grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (2D-GIXRD). Our results show an improvement of the photovoltaic performance that is dependent on the branching point position in the donor oligomer. Optical spacers are utilized to increase light absorption inside the co-oligomer 2-based BHJSCs leading to increased power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 8.2% when compared to the corresponding co-oligomer 1-based devices. A STEM-SI analysis of the respective device cross-sections of active layers containing 1 and 2 as donor materials indeed reveals significant differences in their respective active layer morphologies.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher RSC Publishing Place of Publication London Editor  
  Language Wos 000406374800013 Publication Date (up) 2017-05-02  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2052-4129 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.955 Times cited 24 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; We acknowledge financial support by the European Commission under the project “SUNFLOWER” (FP7-ICT-2011-7, grant number: 287594) and S.B. acknowledges the ERC Starting Grant Colouratoms (335078). ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.955  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:145176UA @ admin @ c:irua:145176 Serial 4727  
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Author Peters, J.L.; van den Bos, K.H.W.; Van Aert, S.; Goris, B.; Bals, S.; Vanmaekelbergh, D. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Ligand-Induced Shape Transformation of PbSe Nanocrystals Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal Chem Mater  
  Volume 29 Issue 29 Pages 4122-4128  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract We present a study of the relation between the surface chemistry and nanocrystal shape of PbSe nanocrystals with a variable Pb-to-Se stoichiometry and density of oleate ligands. The oleate ligand density and binding configuration are monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared absorbance spectroscopy, allowing us to quantify the number of surface-attached ligands per NC and the nature of the surface−Pb−oleate configuration. The three-dimensional shape of the PbSe nanocrystals is obtained from high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with an atom counting method. We show that the enhanced oleate capping results in a stabilization and extension of the {111} facets, and a crystal shape transformation from a truncated nanocube to a truncated octahedron.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000401221700034 Publication Date (up) 2017-05-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0897-4756 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.466 Times cited 45 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes D.V. acknowledges the European Research Council, ERC advanced grant, Project 692691-First Step, for financial support. We also acknowledge the Dutch FOM programme “Designing Dirac carriers in honeycomb semiconductor superlattices” (FOM Program 152) for financial support. The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (G.036915, G.037413, and funding of a Ph.D. research grant to K.H.W.v.d.B. and a postdoctoral grant to B.G.). S.B. acknowledges the European Research Council, ERC Grant 335078-Colouratom. (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); ECAS_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 9.466  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:143750 c:irua:142983UA @ admin @ c:irua:143750 Serial 4571  
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Author Barreca, D.; Carraro, G.; Gasparotto, A.; Maccato, C.; Altantzis, T.; Sada, C.; Kaunisto, K.; Ruoko, T.-P.; Bals, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Vapor Phase Fabrication of Nanoheterostructures Based on ZnO for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Advanced Materials Interfaces Abbreviated Journal Adv Mater Interfaces  
  Volume 4 Issue 4 Pages 1700161  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Nanoheterostructures based on metal oxide semiconductors have emerged

as promising materials for the conversion of sunlight into chemical energy.

In the present study, ZnO-based nanocomposites have been developed by

a hybrid vapor phase route, consisting in the chemical vapor deposition

of ZnO systems on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates, followed by the

functionalization with Fe2O3 or WO3 via radio frequency-sputtering. The

target systems are subjected to thermal treatment in air both prior and after

sputtering, and their properties, including structure, chemical composition,

morphology, and optical absorption, are investigated by a variety of characterization

methods. The obtained results evidence the formation of highly

porous ZnO nanocrystal arrays, conformally covered by an ultrathin Fe2O3

or WO3 overlayer. Photocurrent density measurements for solar-triggered

water splitting reveal in both cases a performance improvement with respect

to bare zinc oxide, that is mainly traced back to an enhanced separation of

photogenerated charge carriers thanks to the intimate contact between the

two oxides. This achievement can be regarded as a valuable result in view of

future optimization of similar nanoheterostructured photoanodes.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000411525700007 Publication Date (up) 2017-05-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2196-7350 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.279 Times cited 30 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors kindly acknowledge the financial support under Padova University ex-60% 2013–2016, P-DiSC #SENSATIONAL BIRD2016- UNIPD projects and the post-doc fellowship ACTION. S.B. acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. COLOURATOM 335078) and T.A. acknowledges funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through a postdoctoral grant. Many thanks are also due to Dr. Rosa Calabrese (Department of Chemistry, Padova University, Italy) for experimental assistance. (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); saraecas; ECAS_Sara; Approved Most recent IF: 4.279  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:146104UA @ admin @ c:irua:146104 Serial 4731  
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Author Mahr, C.; Kundu, P.; Lackmann, A.; Zanaga, D.; Thiel, K.; Schowalter, M.; Schwan, M.; Bals, S.; Wittstock, A.; Rosenauer, A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Quantitative determination of residual silver distribution in nanoporous gold and its influence on structure and catalytic performance Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Journal of catalysis Abbreviated Journal J Catal  
  Volume 352 Issue 352 Pages 52-58  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Large efforts have been made trying to understand the origin of the high catalytic activity of dealloyed nanoporous gold as a green catalyst for the selective promotion of chemical reactions at low temperatures. Residual silver, left in the sample after dealloying of a gold-silver alloy, has been shown to have a strong influence on the activity of the catalyst. But the question of how the silver is distributed within the porous structure has not finally been answered yet. We show by quantitative energy dispersive X-ray tomography measurements that silver forms clusters that are distributed irregularly, both on the surface and inside the ligaments building up the porous structure. Furthermore, we find that the role of the residual silver is ambiguous. Whereas CO oxidation is supported by more residual silver, methanol oxidation to methyl formate is hindered. Structural characterisation reveals larger ligaments and pores for decreasing residual silver concentration.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000408299600006 Publication Date (up) 2017-05-29  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0021-9517 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.844 Times cited 42 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) under contracts no. RO2057/12-1 (SP 6) and WI4497/1-1 (SP 2) within the research unit FOR2213 (www.nagocat. de) and the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant No. 335078-COLOURATOMS). (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); ecas_sara Approved Most recent IF: 6.844  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:144434UA @ admin @ c:irua:144434 Serial 4623  
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Author De Backer, A.; Jones, L.; Lobato, I.; Altantzis, T.; Goris, B.; Nellist, P.D.; Bals, S.; Van Aert, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Three-dimensional atomic models from a single projection using Z-contrast imaging: verification by electron tomography and opportunities Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 8791-8798  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract In order to fully exploit structure–property relations of nanomaterials, three-dimensional (3D) characterization at the atomic scale is often required. In recent years, the resolution of electron tomography has reached the atomic scale. However, such tomography typically requires several projection images demanding substantial electron dose. A newly developed alternative circumvents this by counting the number of atoms across a single projection. These atom counts can be used to create an initial atomic model with which an energy minimization can be applied to obtain a relaxed 3D reconstruction of the nanoparticle. Here, we compare, at the atomic scale, this single projection reconstruction approach with tomography and find an excellent agreement. This new approach allows for the characterization of beam-sensitive materials or where the acquisition of a tilt series is impossible. As an example, the utility is illustrated by the 3D atomic scale characterization of a nanodumbbell on an in situ heating holder of limited tilt range.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000404614700031 Publication Date (up) 2017-06-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.367 Times cited 33 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0374.13N, G.0369.15N, G.0368.15N, and WO.010.16N) and postdoctoral grants to T. Altantzis, A. De Backer, and B. Goris. S. Bals acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. COLOURATOM 335078). Funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreement 312483 – ESTEEM2 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiatieve-I3) is acknowledged. The authors would also like to thank Luis Liz-Marzán, Marek Grzelczak, and Ana Sánchez-Iglesias for sample provision. (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); saraecas; ECAS_Sara; Approved Most recent IF: 7.367  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:144436UA @ admin @ c:irua:144436 Serial 4617  
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Author Schnepf, M.J.; Mayer, M.; Kuttner, C.; Tebbe, M.; Wolf, D.; Dulle, M.; Altantzis, T.; Formanek, P.; Förster, S.; Bals, S.; König, T.A.F.; Fery, A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Nanorattles with tailored electric field enhancement Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 9376-9385  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Nanorattles are metallic core–shell particles with core and shell separated by a dielectric spacer. These

nanorattles have been identified as a promising class of nanoparticles, due to their extraordinary high

electric-field enhancement inside the cavity. Limiting factors are reproducibility and loss of axial symmetry

owing to the movable metal core; movement of the core results in fluctuation of the nanocavity dimensions

and commensurate variations in enhancement factor. We present a novel synthetic approach for

the robust fixation of the central gold rod within a well-defined box, which results in an axisymmetric

nanorattle. We determine the structure of the resulting axisymmetric nanorattles by advanced transmission

electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Optical absorption and scattering

cross-sections obtained from UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy quantitatively agree with finite-difference

time-domain (FDTD) simulations based on the structural model derived from SAXS. The predictions of

high and homogenous field enhancement are evidenced by scanning TEM electron energy loss spectroscopy

(STEM-EELS) measurement on single-particle level. Thus, comprehensive understanding of

structural and optical properties is achieved for this class of nanoparticles, paving the way for photonic

applications where a defined and robust unit cell is crucial.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000405387100015 Publication Date (up) 2017-06-22  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.367 Times cited 69 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This study was funded by the European Research Council under grant Template-assisted assembly of METAmaterials using MECHanical instabilities (METAMECH) ERC-2012-StG 306686. This work was also supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) within the Cluster of Excellence ‘Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden’ (cfaed). M. T. wants to acknowledge funding by the Elite Network of Bavaria, the Bavarian Ministry of State according to the Bavarian elite promotion act (BayEFG), as well as the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for a Feodor-Lynen Research Fellowship. S. B. acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (Starting Grant No. COLOURATOM 335078) and T. A. acknowledges funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through a postdoctoral grant. We thank Ken Harris from the National Research Council Canada for valuable discussion of the manuscript. (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); saraecas; ECAS_Sara; Approved Most recent IF: 7.367  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:144797UA @ admin @ c:irua:144797 Serial 4631  
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Author Pulinthanathu Sree, S.; Dendooven, J.; Geerts, L.; Ramachandran, R.K.; Javon, E.; Ceyssens, F.; Breynaert, E.; Kirschhock, C.E.A.; Puers, R.; Altantzis, T.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Bals, S.; Detavernier, C.; Martens, J.A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title 3D porous nanostructured platinum prepared using atomic layer deposition Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Journal of materials chemistry A : materials for energy and sustainability Abbreviated Journal J Mater Chem A  
  Volume 5 Issue 5 Pages 19007-19016  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract A robust and easy to handle 3D porous platinum structure was created via replicating the 3D channel system

of an ordered mesoporous silica material using atomic layer deposition (ALD) over micrometer distances.

After ALD of Pt in the silica material, the host template was digested using hydrogen fluoride (HF). A fully

connected ordered Pt nanostructure was obtained with morphology and sizes corresponding to that of

the pores of the host matrix, as revealed with high-resolution scanning transmission electron

microscopy and electron tomography. The Pt nanostructure consisted of hexagonal Pt rods originating

from the straight mesopores (11 nm) of the host structure and linking features resulting from Pt

replication of the interconnecting mesopore segments (2–4 nm) present in the silica host structure.

Electron tomography of partial replicas, made by incomplete infilling of Zeotile-4 material with Pt,

provided insight in the connectivity and formation mechanism of the Pt nanostructure by ALD. The Pt

replica was evaluated for its potential use as electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction, one of

the half-reactions of water electrolysis, and as microelectrode for biomedical sensing. The Pt replica

showed high activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction and electrochemical characterization revealed

a large impedance improvement in comparison with reference Pt electrodes.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000411232100010 Publication Date (up) 2017-06-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2050-7488 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.867 Times cited 9 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by the Flemish government through long-term structural funding (Methusalem) to JAM and FWO for a research project (G0A5417N). JD, TA and FC acknowledge Flemish FWO for a post-doctoral fellowship. S. B. acknowledges funding from ERC Starting Grant COLOURATOMS (335078). (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); saraecas; ECAS_Sara; Approved Most recent IF: 8.867  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @ c:irua:144624 c:irua:144624 c:irua:144624UA @ admin @ c:irua:144624 Serial 4634  
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Author Zheng, G.; Chen, Z.; Sentosun, K.; Pérez-Juste, I.; Bals, S.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.; Pastoriza-Santos, I.; Pérez-Juste, J.; Hong, M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Shape control in ZIF-8 nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles@ZIF-8 heterostructures Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 16645-16651  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Shape control in metal-organic frameworks still remains a challenge. We propose a strategy based on the capping agent modulator method to control the shape of ZIF-8 nanocrystals. This approach requires the use of a surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), and a second capping agent, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), to obtain ZIF-8 nanocrystals with morphology control in aqueous media. Semiempirical computational simulations suggest that both shape-inducing agents adsorb onto different surface facets of ZIF-8, thereby slowing down their crystal growth rates. While CTAB molecules preferentially adsorb onto the {100} facets, leading to ZIF-8 particles with cubic morphology, TRIS preferentially stabilizes the {111} facets, inducing the formation of octahedral crystals. Interestingly, the presence of both capping agents leads to nanocrystals with irregular shapes and higher index facets, such as hexapods and burr puzzles. Additionally, the combination of ZIF-8 nanocrystals with other materials is expected to impart additional properties due to the hybrid nature of the resulting nanocomposites. In the present case, the presence of CTAB and TRIS molecules as capping agents facilitates the synthesis of metal nanoparticle@ZIF-8 nanocomposites, due to synergistic effects which could be of use in a number of applications such as catalysis, gas sensing and storage.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000414960900015 Publication Date (up) 2017-07-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.367 Times cited 109 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO, Spain), under the Grants MAT2013- 45168-R and MAT2016-77809-R. This study was also funded by the Xunta de Galicia/FEDER (ED431C 2016-048). We are grateful to the financial support from National Natural Science Foundation of China (21671010), Guangdong Science and Technology Program (2013A061401002), and Shenzhen Strategic Emerging Industries (KQCX2015032709315529, CXZZ20140419131807788). Approved Most recent IF: 7.367  
  Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:145827UA @ admin @ c:irua:145827 Serial 4705  
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Author Kertik, A.; Wee, L.H.; Pfannmöller, M.; Bals, S.; Martens, J.A.; Vankelecom, I.F.J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Highly selective gas separation membrane using in situ amorphised metal-organic frameworks Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Energy & environmental science Abbreviated Journal Energ Environ Sci  
  Volume 10 Issue 10 Pages 2342-2351  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Conventional carbon dioxide (CO2) separation in the petrochemical industry via cryogenic distillation is energy intensive and environmentally unfriendly. Alternatively, polymer membrane-based separations are of significant interest owing to low production cost, low-energy consumption and ease of upscaling. However, the implementation of commercial polymeric membranes is limited by their permeability and selectivity trade-off and the insufficient thermal and chemical stability. Herein, a novel type of amorphous mixed matrix membrane (MMM) able to separate CO2/CH4 mixtures with the highest selectivities ever reported for MOF based MMMs is presented. The MMM consists of an amorphised metal-organic framework (MOF) dispersed in an oxidatively cross-linked matrix achieved by fine tuning of the thermal treatment temperature in air up to 350 degrees C which drastically boosts the separation properties of the MMM. Thanks to the protection of the surrounding polymer, full oxidation of this MOF (i.e. ZIF-8) is prevented, and amorphisation of the MOF is realized instead, thus in situ creating a molecular sieve network. In addition, the treatment also improves the filler-polymer adhesion and induces an oxidative cross-linking of the polyimide matrix, resulting in MMMs with increased stability or plasticization resistance at high pressure up to 40 bar, marking a new milestone as new molecular sieve MOF MMMs for challenging natural gas purification applications. A new field for the use of amorphised MOFs and a variety of separation opportunities for such MMMs are thus opened.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000414774500007 Publication Date (up) 2017-08-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1754-5692; 1754-5706 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 29.518 Times cited 122 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; A.K. acknowledges financial support from the Erasmus-Mundus Doctorate in Membrane Engineering (EUDIME) Programme. L.H.W. thanks the FWO-Vlaanderen for a postdoctoral research fellowship (12M1415N). M. P. acknowledges financial support by the FP7 European project SUNFLOWER (FP7 #287594). S. B. acknowledges financial support from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant # 335078-COLOURATOMS). J. A. M. gratefully acknowledges financial supports from the Flemish Government for long-term Methusalem funding. J. A. M. and I. F. J. V. acknowledge the Belgian Government for IAP-PAI networking. A. K. would also like to thank Frank Mathijs for the mechanical tests, Roy Bernstein for the XPS analysis and Lien Telen and Bart Goderis for the DSC measurements. We thank Verder Scientific Benelux for providing the service of ZIF-8 ball milling. ; ecas_sara Approved Most recent IF: 29.518  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:147399UA @ admin @ c:irua:147399 Serial 4879  
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