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Author Bai, J.; Wang, J.T.-W.; Rubio, N.; Protti, A.; Heidari, H.; Elgogary, R.; Southern, P.; Al-Jamal, W.' T.; Sosabowski, J.; Shah, A.M.; Bals, S.; Pankhurst, Q.A.; Al-Jamal, K.T. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Triple-Modal Imaging of Magnetically-Targeted Nanocapsules in Solid TumoursIn Vivo Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2016 Publication Theranostics Abbreviated Journal Theranostics  
  Volume 6 Issue 6 Pages 342-356  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Triple-modal imaging magnetic nanocapsules, encapsulating hydrophobic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, are formulated and used to magnetically target solid tumours after intravenous administration in tumour-bearing mice. The engineered magnetic polymeric nanocapsules m-NCs are ~200 nm in size with negative Zeta potential and shown to be spherical in shape. The loading efficiency of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in the m-NC was ~100%. Up to ~3- and ~2.2-fold increase in tumour uptake at 1 and 24 h was achieved, when a static magnetic field was applied to the tumour for 1 hour. m-NCs, with multiple imaging probes (e.g. indocyanine green, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and indium-111), were capable of triple-modal imaging (fluorescence/magnetic resonance/nuclear imaging) in vivo. Using triple-modal imaging is to overcome the intrinsic limitations of single modality imaging and provides complementary information on the spatial distribution of the nanocarrier within the tumour. The significant findings of this study could open up new research perspectives in using novel magnetically-responsive nanomaterials in magnetic-drug targeting combined with multi-modal imaging.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000377797200005 Publication Date 2015-12-31  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1838-7640 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.712 Times cited 54 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors would like to thank Prof Robert Hider (King's College London) for useful discussion on the chemical functionalization of the polymers, Mr William Luckhurst (King's College London) on the technical help of AFM measurements and Mr Andrew Cakebread (King's College London) on his technical help of ICP-MS measurements. J.B. acknowledges funding from King's-China Scholarship Council (CSC). J.W. and N.R. acknowledge funding from Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB/J008656/1) and Associated International Cancer Research (12-1054). K.T.AJ. acknowledges funding from EU FP7-ITN Marie-Curie Network programme RADDEL (290023). 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.; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:can); Approved Most recent IF: 8.712  
  Call Number c:irua:130058 Serial 3995  
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Author Zanaga, D.; Bleichrodt, F.; Altantzis, T.; Winckelmans, N.; Palenstijn, W.J.; Sijbers, J.; de Nijs, B.; van Huis, M.A.; Sanchez-Iglesias, A.; Liz-Marzan, L.M.; van Blaaderen, A.; Joost Batenburg, K.; Bals, S.; Van Tendeloo, G. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Quantitative 3D analysis of huge nanoparticle assemblies Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2016 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale  
  Volume 8 Issue 8 Pages 292-299  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract Nanoparticle assemblies can be investigated in 3 dimensions using electron tomography. However, it is not straightforward to obtain quantitative information such as the number of particles or their relative position. This becomes particularly difficult when the number of particles increases. We propose a novel approach in which prior information on the shape of the individual particles is exploited. It improves the quality of the reconstruction of these complex assemblies significantly. Moreover, this quantitative Sparse Sphere Reconstruction approach yields directly the number of particles and their position as an output of the reconstruction technique, enabling a detailed 3D analysis of assemblies with as many as 10 000 particles. The approach can also be used to reconstruct objects based on a very limited number of projections, which opens up possibilities to investigate beam sensitive assemblies where previous reconstructions with the available electron tomography techniques failed.  
  Address EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium. sara.bals@uantwerpen.be  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000366911700028 Publication Date 2015-11-19  
  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 34 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant # 335078-COLOURATOMS, ERC Advanced Grant # 291667 HierarSACol and ERC Advanced Grant 267867 – PLASMAQUO), the European Union under the FP7 (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative N. 262348 European Soft Matter Infrastructure, ESMI and N. 312483 ESTEEM2), and from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), project number 639.072.005 and NWO CW 700.57.026. Networking support was provided by COST Action MP1207.; esteem2jra4; ECASSara; (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 7.367  
  Call Number c:irua:131062 c:irua:131062 Serial 3979  
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Author Van Aert, S.; De Backer, A.; Martinez, G.T.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Dyck, D.; Bals, S.; Van Tendeloo, G. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Advanced electron crystallography through model-based imaging Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2016 Publication IUCrJ Abbreviated Journal Iucrj  
  Volume 3 Issue 3 Pages 71-83  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The increasing need for precise determination of the atomic arrangement of non-periodic structures in materials design and the control of nanostructures explains the growing interest in quantitative transmission electron microscopy. The aim is to extract precise and accurate numbers for unknown structure parameters including atomic positions, chemical concentrations and atomic numbers. For this purpose, statistical parameter estimation theory has been shown to provide reliable results. In this theory, observations are considered purely as data planes, from which structure parameters have to be determined using a parametric model describing the images. As such, the positions of atom columns can be measured with a precision of the order of a few picometres, even though the resolution of the electron microscope is still one or two orders of magnitude larger. Moreover, small differences in average atomic number, which cannot be distinguished visually, can be quantified using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. In addition, this theory allows one to measure compositional changes at interfaces, to count atoms with single-atom sensitivity, and to reconstruct atomic structures in three dimensions. This feature article brings the reader up to date, summarizing the underlying theory and highlighting some of the recent applications of quantitative model-based transmisson electron microscopy.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000368590900010 Publication Date 2015-11-13  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2052-2525; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.793 Times cited 30 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors gratefully acknowledge the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) for funding and for a PhD grant to ADB. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union 7th Framework Program (FP7/20072013) under grant agreement No. 312483 (ESTEEM2). SB and GVT acknowledge the European Research Council under the 7th Framework Program (FP7), ERC grant No. 335078 – COLOURATOMS and ERC grant No. 246791 – COUNTATOMS.; esteem2jra2; ECASSara; (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:can); Approved Most recent IF: 5.793  
  Call Number c:irua:129589 c:irua:129589 Serial 3965  
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Author Calizzi, M.; Venturi, F.; Ponthieu, M.; Cuevas, F.; Morandi, V.; Perkisas, T.; Bals, S.; Pasquini, L. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Gas-phase synthesis of Mg-Ti nanoparticles for solid-state hydrogen storage Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2016 Publication Physical chemistry, chemical physics Abbreviated Journal Phys Chem Chem Phys  
  Volume 18 Issue 18 Pages 141-148  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM); Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Mg-Ti nanostructured samples with different Ti contents were prepared via compaction of nanoparticles grown by inert gas condensation with independent Mg and Ti vapour sources. The growth set-up offered the option to perform in situ hydrogen absorption before compaction. Structural and morphological characterisation was carried out by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The formation of an extended metastable solid solution of Ti in hcp Mg was detected up to 15 at% Ti in the as-grown nanoparticles, while after in situ hydrogen absorption, phase separation between MgH2 and TiH2 was observed. At a Ti content of 22 at%, a metastable Mg-Ti-H fcc phase was observed after in situ hydrogen absorption. The co-evaporation of Mg and Ti inhibited nanoparticle coalescence and crystallite growth in comparison with the evaporation of Mg only. In situ hydrogen absorption was beneficial to subsequent hydrogen behaviour, studied by high pressure differential scanning calorimetry and isothermal kinetics. A transformed fraction of 90% was reached within 100 s at 300 degrees C during both hydrogen absorption and desorption. The enthalpy of hydride formation was not observed to differ from bulk MgH2.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor  
  Language Wos 000368755500014 Publication Date 2015-11-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1463-9076 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.123 Times cited 31 Open Access Not_Open_Access  
  Notes ; Part of this work was supported by the COST Action MP1103 “Nanostructured materials for solid-state hydrogen storage”. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.123  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:131589 Serial 4184  
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Author Vanrenterghem, B.; Geboes, B.; Bals, S.; Ustarroz, J.; Hubin, A.; Breugelmans, T. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Influence of the support material and the resulting particle distribution on the deposition of Ag nanoparticles for the electrocatalytic activity of benzyl bromide reduction Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2016 Publication Applied catalysis : B : environmental Abbreviated Journal Appl Catal B-Environ  
  Volume 181 Issue 181 Pages 542-549  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)  
  Abstract tSilver nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on nickel, titanium and gold substrates using a potentiostaticdouble-pulse method. The influence of the support material on both the morphology and the electro-catalytic activity of Ag NPs for the reduction reaction of benzyl bromide was investigated and comparedwith previous research regarding silver NPs on glassy carbon. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) dataindicated that spherical monodispersed NPs were obtained on Ni, Au and GC substrate with an averageparticle size of respectively 216 nm, 413 nm and 116 nm. On a Ti substrate dendritic NPs were obtainedwith a larger average particle density of 480 nm. The influence of the support material on the electrocat-alytic activity was tested by means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) for the reduction reaction of benzylbromide(1 mM) in acetonitrile + 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (Bu4NClO4). When the nucleation poten-tial (En) was applied at high cathodic overpotential, a positive shift of the reduction potential was obtained.The nucleation (tn) and growth time (tg) mostly had an influence on the current density whereas longerdeposition times lead to larger current densities. For these three parameters an optimum was present.The best electrocatalytic activity was obtained with Ag NPs deposited on Ni were a shift of the reduc-tion peak potential of 145 mV for the reaction of benzyl bromide was measured in comparance to bulksilver. The deposition on Au substrate yielded a positive shift of 114 mV. There was no indication of analtered reaction mechanism as the reaction was characterized as diffusion controlled and the transfercoefficients were in accordance with bulk silver. There was a beneficial catalitic activity measured due tothe interplay between support and NPs. This resulted in a shift of the reduction peak potential of 34 mV(Ag NPs on Au) and 65 mV (Ag NPs on Ni) compared to Ag NPs on a GC substrate.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000364256000052 Publication Date 2015-08-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0926-3373 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.446 Times cited 16 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The Quanta 250 FEG microscope of the Electron Microscopy forMaterial Science group at the University of Antwerp was fundedby the Hercules foundation of the Flemish Government. Sara Balsacknowledges financial support from European Research Council(ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOMS).; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 9.446  
  Call Number c:irua:128345 Serial 4064  
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Author Gonzalez-Rubio, G.; Gonzalez-Izquierdo, J.; Banares, L.; Tardajos, G.; Rivera, A.; Altantzis, T.; Bals, S.; Pena-Rodriguez, O.; Guerrero-Martinez, A.; Liz-Marzan, L.M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Femtosecond Laser-Controlled Tip-to-Tip Assembly and Welding of Gold Nanorods Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Nano letters Abbreviated Journal Nano Lett  
  Volume 15 Issue 15 Pages 8282-8288  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Directed assembly of gold nanorods through the use of dithiolated molecular linkers is one of the most efficient methodologies for the morphologically controlled tip-to-tip assembly of this type of anisotropic nanocrystals. However, in a direct analogy to molecular polymerization synthesis, this process is characterized by difficulties in chain-growth control over nanoparticle oligomers. In particular, it is nearly impossible to favor the formation of one type of oligomer, making the methodology hard to use for actual applications in nanoplasmonics. We propose here a light-controlled synthetic procedure that allows obtaining selected plasmonic oligomers in high yield and with reaction times in the scale of minutes by irradiation with low fluence near-infrared (NIR) femtosecond laser pulses. Selective inhibition of the formation of gold nanorod n-mers (trimers) with a longitudinal localized surface plasmon in resonance with a 800 nm Ti:sapphire laser, allowed efficient trapping of the (n – 1)-mers (dimers) by hot spot mediated photothermal decomposition of the interparticle molecular linkers. Laser irradiation at higher energies produced near-field enhancement at the interparticle gaps, which is large enough to melt gold nanorod tips, offering a new pathway toward tip-to-tip welding of gold nanorod oligomers with a plasmonic response at the NIR. Thorough optical and electron microscopy characterization indicates that plasmonic oligomers can be selectively trapped and welded, which has been analyzed in terms of a model that predicts with reasonable accuracy the relative concentrations of the main plasmonic species.  
  Address Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science , 48013 Bilbao, Spain  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000366339600075 Publication Date 2015-11-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1530-6984;1530-6992; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.712 Times cited 101 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work has been funded by the Spanish MINECO (MAT2012-38541, MAT2013-46101-R, MAT2014-59678-R and CTQ2012-37404-C02-01). A.G.-M. and G.G.-R., respectively, acknowledge receipt of Ramón y Cajal and FPI Fellowships from the Spanish MINECO. O.P.-R. is grateful with Moncloa Campus of International Excellence (UCMUPM) for the PICATA postdoctoral fellowship. The facilities provided by the Center for Ultrafast Lasers at Complutense University of Madrid are gratefully acknowledged. S.B. acknowledges funding from the European Research Council under the Seventh Framework Program (FP7), ERC Grant 335078 COLOURATOMS.; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 12.712; 2015 IF: 13.592  
  Call Number c:irua:129686 Serial 3976  
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Author Van Aelst, J.; Verboekend, D.; Philippaerts, A.; Nuttens, N.; Kurttepeli, M.; Gobechiya, E.; Haouas, M.; Sree, S.P.; Denayer, J.F.M.; Martens, J.A.; Kirschhock, C.E.A.; Taulelle, F.; Bals, S.; Baron, G.V.; Jacobs, P.A.; Sels, B.F. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Catalyst design by NH4OH treatment of USY zeolite Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Advanced functional materials Abbreviated Journal Adv Funct Mater  
  Volume 25 Issue 25 Pages 7130-7144  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Hierarchical zeolites are a class of superior catalysts which couples the intrinsic zeolitic properties to enhanced accessibility and intracrystalline mass transport to and from the active sites. The design of hierarchical USY (Ultra-Stable Y) catalysts is achieved using a sustainable postsynthetic room temperature treatment with mildly alkaline NH4OH ( 0.02(M)) solutions. Starting from a commercial dealuminated USY zeolite (Si/Al = 47), a hierarchical material is obtained by selective and tuneable creation of interconnected and accessible small mesopores (2- 6 nm). In addition, the treatment immediately yields the NH4+ form without the need for additional ion exchange. After NH4OH modification, the crystal morphology is retained, whereas the microporosity and relative crystallinity are decreased. The gradual formation of dense amorphous phases throughout the crystal without significant framework atom leaching rationalizes the very high material yields (>90%). The superior catalytic performance of the developed hierarchical zeolites is demonstrated in the acid-catalyzed isomerization of alpha-pinene and the metal-catalyzed conjugation of safflower oil. Significant improvements in activity and selectivity are attained, as well as a lowered susceptibility to deactivation. The catalytic performance is intimately related to the introduced mesopores, hence enhanced mass transport capacity, and the retained intrinsic zeolitic properties.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Weinheim Editor  
  Language Wos 000366503700003 Publication Date 2015-10-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1616-301x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.124 Times cited 64 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; The authors thank Dr. M. Thommes and Dr. K. Cychosz for numerous and helpful discussions on the correct evaluation of the Ar isotherms. I. Cuppens is acknowledged for ICP-AES analyses. Research was funded through a PhD grant to J.V.A. of the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT). D.V. and A.P. acknowledge F.W.O.-Vlaanderen (Research Foundation Flanders) for a postdoctoral fellowship. N.N. thanks the KU Leuven for financial support (FLOF). E.G., C.K., and J.M. acknowledge the long-term structural funding by the Flemish Government (Methusalem). S.B. acknowledges the European Research Council for funding under the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013)/ERC grant agreement No. 335078-COLOURATOMS. The authors are grateful for financial support by the Belgian government through Interuniversity Attraction Poles (IAP-PAI). They also thank Oleon NV for supplying safflower oil. ; ecas_Sara Approved Most recent IF: 12.124; 2015 IF: 11.805  
  Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:130214 Serial 4147  
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Author Sentosun, K.; Sanz Ortiz, M.N.; Batenburg, K.J.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.; Bals, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Combination of HAADF-STEM and ADF-STEM Tomography for Core-Shell Hybrid Materials Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Particle and particle systems characterization Abbreviated Journal Part Part Syst Char  
  Volume 32 Issue 32 Pages 1063-1067  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract Characterization of core-shell type nanoparticles in 3D by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be very challenging. Especially when both heavy and light elements co-exist within the same nanostructure, artefacts in the 3D reconstruction are often present. A representative example would be a particle comprising an anisotropic metallic (Au) nanoparticle coated with a (mesoporous) silica shell. To obtain a reliable 3D characterization of such an object, we propose a dose-efficient strategy to simultaneously acquire high angle annular dark field scanning TEM and annular dark field tilt series for tomography. The 3D reconstruction is further improved by applying an advanced masking and interpolation approach to the acquired data. This new methodology enables us to obtain high quality reconstructions from which also quantitative information can be extracted. This approach is broadly applicable to investigate hybrid core-shell materials.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000368446800003 Publication Date 2015-10-13  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0934-0866; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.474 Times cited 13 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes S.B. acknowledges financial support from European Research Council (ERC) (ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOM). L.M. acknowledges funding from the EU, Grant# 310651-2 Self-Assembly in Confined Space (SACS). K.J.B acknowledges financial support from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), project number 639.072.005 and NWO CW 700.57.026. Networking support was provided by COST Action MP1207. The authors acknowledge the European Union under the Seventh Framework Program under a contract for an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative, Reference No. 312483-ESTEEM2 for financial support.; esteem2jra4; ECASSara; (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 4.474; 2015 IF: 3.081  
  Call Number c:irua:129590 c:irua:129590 Serial 3967  
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Author Wang, Y.; Sentosun, K.; Li, A.; Coronado-Puchau, M.; Sánchez-Iglesias, A.; Li, S.; Su, X.; Bals, S.; Liz-Marzán, L.M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Engineering Structural Diversity in Gold Nanocrystals by Ligand-Mediated Interface Control Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal Chem Mater  
  Volume 27 Issue 27 Pages 8032-8040  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Surface and interface control is fundamentally important for crystal growth engineering, catalysis, surface enhanced spectroscopies, and self-assembly, among other processes and applications. Understanding the role of ligands in regulating surface properties of plasmonic metal nanocrystals during growth has received considerable attention. However, the underlying mechanisms and the diverse functionalities of ligands are yet to be fully addressed. In this contribution,

we report a systematic study of ligand-mediated interface control in seeded growth of gold nanocrystals, leading to diverse and exotic nanostructures with an improved surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity. Three dimensional transmission electron microscopy (3D TEM) revealed an intriguing gold shell growth process mediated by the bifunctional ligand 1,4-benzenedithiol (BDT), which leads to a unique crystal growth mechanism as compared to other ligands, and subsequently to the concept of interfacial energy control mechanism. Volmer-Weber growth mode was proposed to be responsible for BDT-mediated seeded growth, favoring the strongest interfacial energy and generating an asymmetric island growth pathway with internal crevices/gaps. This additionally favors incorporation of BDT at the plasmonic nanogaps, thereby generating strong SERS activity with a maximum efficiency for a core-semishell configuration obtained along seeded growth. Numerical modeling was used to explain this observation. Interestingly, the same strategy can be used to engineer the structural diversity of this system, by using gold nanoparticle seeds with various sizes and shapes, and varying the [Au3+]/[Au0] ratio. This rendered a series of diverse and exotic plasmonic nanohybrids such as semishell-coated gold nanorods, with embedded Raman-active tags and Janus surface with distinct surface functionalities.

These would greatly enrich the plasmonic nanostructure toolbox for various studies and applications such as anisotropic nanocrystal engineering, SERS, and high-resolution Raman bioimaging or nanoantenna devices.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000366223200023 Publication Date 2015-10-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0897-4756;1520-5002; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.466 Times cited 18 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors thank Bart Goris for his help with electron tomography. This work was funded by the European Commission (Grant #310445-2, SAVVY). The authors acknowledge financial support from European Research Council (ERC Advanced Grant # 267867- PLASMAQUO, ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOMS). The authors also appreciate financial support from the European Union under the Seventh Framework Program (Integrated Infrastructure Initiative N. 262348 European Soft Matter Infrastructure, ESMI). Wang Y. and Su X. would like to acknowledge the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, for the financial support under the Grant JCO 14302FG096. M. C.-P. acknowledges an FPU scholarship from the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports.; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 9.466; 2015 IF: 8.354  
  Call Number c:irua:129598 c:irua:129598 Serial 3972  
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Author van der Stam, W.; Bladt, E.; Rabouw, F.T.; Bals, S.; de Mello Donega, C. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Near-Infrared Emitting CuInSe/CuInS Dot Core/Rod Shell Heteronanorods by Sequential Cation Exchange Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication ACS nano Abbreviated Journal Acs Nano  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 11430-11438  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The direct synthesis of heteronanocrystals (HNCs) combining different ternary semiconductors is challenging and has not yet been successful. Here, we report a sequential topotactic cation exchange (CE) pathway that yields CuInSe2/CuInS2 dot core/rod shell nanorods with near-infrared luminescence. In our approach, the Cu+ extraction rate is coupled to the In3+ incorporation rate by the use of a stoichiometric trioctylphosphine-InCl3 complex, which fulfills the roles of both In-source and Cu-extracting agent. In this way, Cu+ ions can be extracted by trioctylphosphine ligands only when the In-P bond is broken. This results in readily available In3+ ions at the same surface site from which the Cu+ is extracted, making the process a direct place exchange reaction and shifting the overall energy balance in favor of the CE. Consequently, controlled cation exchange can occur even in large and anisotropic heterostructured nanocrystals with preservation of the size, shape, and heterostructuring of the template NCs into the product NCs. The cation exchange is self-limited, stopping when the ternary core/shell CuInSe2/CuInS2 composition is reached. The method is very versatile, successfully yielding a variety of luminescent CuInX2 (X = S, Se, and Te) quantum dots, nanorods, and HNCs, by using Cd-chalcogenide NCs and HNCs as templates. The approach reported here thus opens up routes toward materials with unprecedented properties, which would otherwise remain inaccessible.  
  Address Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University , P.O. Box 80000, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000365464800094 Publication Date 2015-10-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1936-0851;1936-086X; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 13.942 Times cited 88 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors thank Gang Wang for XRD measurements and Eline Hutter for providing CdSe/CdS NRs. 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. This work was supported by the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078 Colouratom). E.B. gratefully acknowledges financial support by the Flemish Fund for Scientific Research (FWO Vlaanderen).; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 13.942; 2015 IF: 12.881  
  Call Number c:irua:129184 Serial 3948  
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Author Pfannmöller, M.; Heidari, H.; Nanson, L.; Lozman, O.R.; Chrapa, M.; Offermans, T.; Nisato, G.; Bals, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Quantitative Tomography of Organic Photovoltaic Blends at the Nanoscale Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Nano letters Abbreviated Journal Nano Lett  
  Volume 15 Issue 15 Pages 6634-6642  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The success of semiconducting organic materials has enabled green technologies for electronics, lighting, and photovoltaics. However, when blended together, these materials have also raised novel fundamental questions with respect to electronic, optical, and thermodynamic properties. This is particularly important for organic photovoltaic cells based on the bulk heterojunction. Here, the distribution of nanoscale domains plays a crucial role depending on the specific device structure. Hence, correlation of the aforementioned properties requires 3D nanoscale imaging of materials domains, which are embedded in a multilayer device. Such visualization has so far been elusive due to lack of contrast, insufficient signal, or resolution limits. In this Letter, we introduce spectral scanning transmission electron tomography for reconstruction of entire volume plasmon spectra from rod-shaped specimens. We provide 3D structural correlations and compositional mapping at a resolution of approximately 7 nm within advanced organic photovoltaic tandem cells. Novel insights that are obtained from quantitative 3D analyses reveal that efficiency loss upon thermal annealing can be attributed to subtle, fundamental blend properties. These results are invaluable in guiding the design and optimization of future devices in plastic electronics applications and provide an empirical basis for modeling and simulation of organic solar cells.  
  Address EMAT-University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000363003100052 Publication Date 2015-09-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1530-6984;1530-6992; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.712 Times cited 26 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by the FP7 European collaborative project SUNFLOWER (FP7-ICT-2011-7-contract num. 287594). S.B. acknowledges financial support from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078-COLOURATOMS). M.P. gratefully acknowledges the SIM NanoForce program for their financial support. We acknowledge AGFA for providing the neutral PEDOT:PSS and GenesInk for the ZnO nanoparticles. We would like to thank Stijn Van den broeck for extensive support on FIB sample preparation. M.P. and H.H. thank Daniele Zanaga for the many fruitful discussions.; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 12.712; 2015 IF: 13.592  
  Call Number c:irua:129423 c:irua:129423 Serial 3973  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sanz-Ortiz, M.N.; Sentosun, K.; Bals, S.; Liz-Marzan, L.M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Templated Growth of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering -Active Branched Au Nanoparticles within Radial Mesoporous Silica Shells Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication ACS nano Abbreviated Journal Acs Nano  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 10489-10497  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Noble metal nanoparticles are widely used as probes or substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), due to their characteristic plasmon resonances in the visible and NIR spectral ranges. Aiming at obtaining a versatile system with high SERS performance we developed the synthesis of quasi-monodisperse, non-aggregated gold nanoparticles protected by radial mesoporous silica shells. The radial channels of such shells were used as templates for the growth of gold tips branching from the cores, thereby improving the plasmonic performance of the particles while favoring the localization of analyte molecules at high electric field regions: close to the tips, inside the pores. The method, which allows control over tip length, was successfully applied to various gold nanoparticle shapes, leading to materials with highly efficient SERS performance. The obtained nanoparticles are stable in ethanol and water upon thermal consolidation and can be safely stored as a powder.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000363915300105 Publication Date 2015-09-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1936-0851;1936-086X; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 13.942 Times cited 110 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work has been funded by the European Research Council (ERC Advanced Grant 267867 Plasmaquo and Starting Grant Colouratom). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement no. 312184, SACS). Help from Mert Kurttepeli is acknowledged. Pentatwinned nanorods and nanotriangles were synthesized by L. Scarabelli.; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 13.942; 2015 IF: 12.881  
  Call Number c:irua:129194 Serial 3947  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wolf, D.; Rodriguez, L.A.; Béché, A.; Javon, E.; Serrano, L.; Magen, C.; Gatel, C.; Lubk, A.; Lichte, H.; Bals, S.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Fernández-Pacheco, A.; De Teresa, J.M.; Snoeck, E. url  doi
openurl 
  Title 3D Magnetic Induction Maps of Nanoscale Materials Revealed by Electron Holographic Tomography Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal Chem Mater  
  Volume 27 Issue 27 Pages 6771-6778  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract The investigation of three-dimensional (3D) ferromagnetic nanoscale materials constitutes one of the key research areas of the current magnetism roadmap, and carries great potential to impact areas such as data storage, sensing and biomagnetism. The properties of such nanostructures are closely connected with their 3D magnetic nanostructure, making their determination highly valuable. Up to now, quantitative 3D maps providing both the internal magnetic and electric configuration of the same specimen with high spatial resolution are missing. Here, we demonstrate the quantitative 3D reconstruction of the dominant axial component of the magnetic induction and electrostatic potential within a cobalt nanowire (NW) of 100 nm in diameter with spatial resolution below 10 nanometers by applying electron holographic tomography. The tomogram was obtained using a dedicated TEM sample holder for acquisition, in combination with advanced alignment and tomographic reconstruction routines. The powerful approach presented here is widely applicable to a broad range of 3D magnetic nanostructures and may trigger the progress of novel spintronic non-planar nanodevices.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000362920700037 Publication Date 2015-09-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0897-4756;1520-5002; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.466 Times cited 50 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by the European Union under the Seventh Framework Program under a contract for an Inte-grated Infrastructure Initiative Reference 312483-ESTEEM2. S.B. and A.B. gratefully acknowledge funding by ERC Starting grants number 335078 COLOURATOMS and number 278510 VORTEX. AF-P acknowledges an EPSRC Early Career fellowship and support from the Winton Foundation. E.S., C.G. and L.A. R. acknowledge the French ANR program for support though the project EMMA.; esteem2jra4; ECASJO;; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 9.466; 2015 IF: 8.354  
  Call Number c:irua:129180 c:irua:129180 c:irua:129180 Serial 3950  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Goris, B.; de Beenhouwer, J.; de Backer, A.; Zanaga, D.; Batenburg, K.J.; Sánchez-Iglesias, A.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.; Van Aert, S.; Bals, S.; Sijbers, J.; Van Tendeloo, G. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Measuring lattice strain in three dimensions through electron microscopy Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Nano letters Abbreviated Journal Nano Lett  
  Volume 15 Issue 15 Pages 6996-7001  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract The three-dimensional (3D) atomic structure of nanomaterials, including strain, is crucial to understand their properties. Here, we investigate lattice strain in Au nanodecahedra using electron tomography. Although different electron tomography techniques enabled 3D characterizations of nanostructures at the atomic level, a reliable determination of lattice strain is not straightforward. We therefore propose a novel model-based approach from which atomic coordinates are measured. Our findings demonstrate the importance of investigating lattice strain in 3D.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Washington Editor  
  Language Wos 000363003100108 Publication Date 2015-09-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1530-6984;1530-6992; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.712 Times cited 87 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Fwo; 335078 Colouratom; 267867 Plasmaquo; 312483 Esteem2; 262348 Esmi; esteem2jra4; ECASSara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 12.712; 2015 IF: 13.592  
  Call Number c:irua:127639 c:irua:127639 Serial 1965  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Hamon, C.; Novikov, S.M.; Scarabelli, L.; Solís, D.M.; Altantzis, T.; Bals, S.; Taboada, J.M.; Obelleiro, F.; Liz-Marzán, L.M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Collective Plasmonic Properties in Few-Layer Gold Nanorod Supercrystals Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication ACS Photonics Abbreviated Journal Acs Photonics  
  Volume 2 Issue 2 Pages 1482-1488  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Gold nanorod supercrystals have been widely employed for the detection of relevant bioanalytes with detection limits ranging from nano- to picomolar levels,

confirming the promising nature of these structures for biosensing. Even though a relationship between the height of the supercrystal (i.e., the number of stacked nanorod layers)and the enhancement factor has been proposed, no systematic

study has been reported. In order to tackle this problem, we prepared gold nanorod supercrystals with varying numbers of stacked layers and analyzed them extensively by atomic force microscopy, electron microscopy and surface enhanced Raman scattering. The experimental results were compared to numerical

simulations performed on real-size supercrystals composed of thousands of nanorod building blocks. Analysis of the hot spot distribution in the simulated supercrystals showed the presence of standing waves that were distributed at different depths, depending on the number of layers in each supercrystal. On the basis of these theoretical results, we interpreted the experimental

data in terms of analyte penetration into the topmost layer only, which indicates that diffusion to the interior of the supercrystals would be crucial if the complete field enhancement produced by the stacked nanorods is to be exploited. We propose that our conclusions will be of high relevance in the design of next generation plasmonic devices.
 
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000363435600013 Publication Date 2015-09-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2330-4022 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.756 Times cited 70 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors are thankful to Dr. Luis Yate for assistance with sample preparation. This work was supported by the European Research Council (ERC Advanced Grant #267867 Plasmaquo and ERC Starting Grant #335078 Colouratom) and the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MAT2013-46101-R). D.M.S., J.M.T., and F.O. acknowledge funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Spanish Ministerio de Economiá y Competitividad (MAT2014-58201-C2-1-R, MAT2014-58201- C2-2-R, Project TACTICA), from the ERDF and the Galician Regional Government under Projects CN2012/279 and CN2012/260 (AtlantTIC) and the Plan I2C (2011−2015), and from the ERDF and the Extremadura Regional Government (Junta de Extremadura Project IB13185).; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 6.756; 2015 IF: NA  
  Call Number c:irua:129458 Serial 3978  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Kerkhofs, S.; Willhammar, T.; Van Den Noortgate, H.; Kirschhock, C.E.A.; Breynaert, E.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Bals, S.; Martens, J.A. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Self-Assembly of Pluronic F127—Silica Spherical Core–Shell Nanoparticles in Cubic Close-Packed Structures Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal Chem Mater  
  Volume 27 Issue 27 Pages 5161-5169  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract A new ordered mesoporous silica material (COK-19) with cubic symmetry is synthesized by silicate polycondensation in a citric acid/citrate buffered micellar solution of Pluronic F127 triblock copolymer near neutral pH. SAXS, nitrogen adsorption, TEM, and electron tomography reveal the final material has a cubic close packed symmetry (Fm3̅m) with isolated spherical mesopores interconnected through micropores. Heating of the synthesis medium from room temperature to 70 °C results in a mesopore size increase from 7.0 to 11.2 nm. Stepwise addition of the silicate source allows isolation of a sequence of intermediates that upon characterization with small-angle X-ray scattering uncovers the formation process via formation and aggregation of individual silica-covered Pluronic micelles.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000359499100003 Publication Date 2015-07-24  
  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 39 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes J.A.M. acknowledges the Flemish government for long-term structural funding (Methusalem, METH/08/04). The Belgian government is acknowledged for financing the interuniversity poles of attraction (IAP-PAI, P7/05 FS2). G.V.T., S.B. and T.W. acknowledge financial support from European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant no. 335078-COLOURATOMS). E.B. acknowledges financial support the Flemish FWO for a postdoctoral fellowship (1265013N). The authors gratefully thank Kristof Houthoofd for performing the NMR experiments.; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 9.466; 2015 IF: 8.354  
  Call Number c:irua:127758 Serial 3977  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Bladt, E.; Pelt, D.M.; Bals, S.; Batenburg, K.J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Electron tomography based on highly limited data using a neural network reconstruction technique Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 158 Issue 158 Pages 81-88  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract Gold nanoparticles are studied extensively due to their unique optical and catalytical properties. Their exact shape determines the properties and thereby the possible applications. Electron tomography is therefore often used to examine the three-dimensional (3D) shape of nanoparticles. However, since the acquisition of the experimental tilt series and the 3D reconstructions are very time consuming, it is difficult to obtain statistical results concerning the 3D shape of nanoparticles. Here, we propose a new approach for electron tomography that is based on artificial neural networks. The use of a new reconstruction approach enables us to reduce the number of projection images with a factor of 5 or more. The decrease in acquisition time of the tilt series and use of an efficient reconstruction algorithm allows us to examine a large amount of nanoparticles in order to retrieve statistical results concerning the 3D shape.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000361574800011 Publication Date 2015-07-10  
  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 25 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes 335078 COLOURATOM; FWO; COST Action MP1207; 312483 ESTEEM2; esteem2jra4; ECASSara; (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2015 IF: 2.436  
  Call Number c:irua:126675 c:irua:126675 Serial 988  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Mayer, M.; Scarabelli, L.; March, K.; Altantzis, T.; Tebbe, M.; Kociak, M.; Bals, S.; Garcia de Abajo, F.J.; Fery, A.; Liz-Marzan, L.M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Controlled Living Nanowire Growth: Precise Control over the Morphology and Optical Properties of AgAuAg Bimetallic Nanowires Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Nano letters Abbreviated Journal Nano Lett  
  Volume 15 Issue 15 Pages 5427-5437  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Inspired by the concept of living polymerization reaction, we are able to produce silver-gold-silver nanowires with a precise control over their total length and plasmonic properties by establishing a constant silver deposition rate on the tips of penta-twinned gold nanorods used as seed cores. Consequently, the length of the wires increases linearly in time. Starting with approximately 210 nm x 32 nm gold cores, we produce nanowire lengths up to several microns in a highly controlled manner, with a small self-limited increase in thickness of approximately 4 nm, corresponding to aspect ratios above 100, whereas the low polydispersity of the product allows us to detect up to nine distinguishable plasmonic resonances in a single colloidal solution. We analyze the spatial distribution and the nature of the plasmons by electron energy loss spectroscopy and obtain excellent agreement between measurements and electromagnetic simulations, clearly demonstrating that the presence of the gold core plays a marginal role, except for relatively short wires or high-energy modes.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000359613700087 Publication Date 2015-07-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1530-6984;1530-6992; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 12.712 Times cited 117 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes L.M.L.-M. acknowledges funding from the European Research Council Advanced Grant PLASMAQUO (No. 267867) and from the Spanish MINECO (grant MAT2013-46101-R). S.B. acknowledges funding from ERC Starting Grant COLOURATOMS (335078). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme under Grant Agreements 312483 (ESTEEM2) and 262348 (ESMI). M.M., M.T., and A.F. acknowledge funding from the European Research Council starting grant METAMECH (No 306686). M.T. was supported by the Elite Network Bavaria in the frame of the Elite Study Program “Macromolecular Science” and funded via a grant for Ph.D. candidates according to Bavarian elite promotion law (BayEFG). F.J.G.deA. acknowledges funding from the Spanish MINECO (grant MAT2014-59096-P).; esteem2jra3; esteem2jra4; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 12.712; 2015 IF: 13.592  
  Call Number c:irua:129687 c:irua:129687 Serial 3975  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wang, Y.; Belén Serrano, A.; Sentosun, K.; Bals, S.; Liz-Marzán, L.M. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Stabilization and encapsulation of gold nanostars mediated by dithiols Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Small Abbreviated Journal Small  
  Volume 11 Issue 11 Pages 4314-4320  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Surface chemistry plays a pivotal role in regulating the morphology of nanoparticles, maintaining colloidal stability, and mediating the interaction with target analytes toward practical applications such as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based sensing and imaging. The use of a binary ligand mixture composed of 1,4-benzenedithiol (BDT) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) to provide gold nanostars with long-term stability is reported. This is despite BDT being a bifunctional ligand, which usually leads to bridging and loss of colloidal stability. It is found however that neither BDT nor CTAC alone are able to provide sufficient colloidal and chemical stability. BDT-coated Au nanostars are additionally used as seeds to direct the encapsulation with a gold outer shell, leading to the formation of unusual nanostructures including semishell-coated gold nanostars, which are characterized by high-resolution electron microscopy and electron tomography. Finally, BDT is exploited as a probe to reveal the enhanced local electric fields in the different nanostructures, showing that the semishell configuration provides significantly high SERS signals as compared to other coreshell configurations obtained during seeded growth, including full shells.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Weinheim Editor  
  Language Wos 000360852900009 Publication Date 2015-06-02  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1613-6810; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 8.643 Times cited 36 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes 267867 Plasmaquo; 335078 Colouratom; 262348 Esmi; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 8.643; 2015 IF: 8.368  
  Call Number c:irua:127571 Serial 3136  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author van Aarle, W.; Palenstijn, W.J.; De Beenhouwer, J.; Altantzis, T.; Bals, S.; Batenburg, K.J.; Sijbers, J. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title The ASTRA Toolbox: A platform for advanced algorithm development in electron tomography Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy  
  Volume 157 Issue 157 Pages 35-47  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab  
  Abstract We present the ASTRA Toolbox as an open platform for 3D image reconstruction in tomography. Most of the software tools that are currently used in electron tomography offer limited flexibility with respect to the geometrical parameters of the acquisition model and the algorithms used for reconstruction. The ASTRA Toolbox provides an extensive set of fast and flexible building blocks that can be used to develop advanced reconstruction algorithms, effectively removing these limitations. We demonstrate this flexibility, the resulting reconstruction quality, and the computational efficiency of this toolbox by a series of experiments, based on experimental dual-axis tilt series.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000361002400005 Publication Date 2015-05-06  
  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 562 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes The authors acknowledge financial support from the iMinds ICONMetroCT project,the IWT SBO Tom Food project and from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO),Project no. 639.072.005. Networking support was provided by the EXTREMA COST Action MP 1207. Sara Bals acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant #335078 COLOURATOMS).; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 2.843; 2015 IF: 2.436  
  Call Number c:irua:127834 Serial 3974  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Lin, F.; Meng; Kukueva, E.; Altantzis, T.; Mertens, M.; Bals, S.; Cool, P.; Van Doorslaer, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Direct-synthesis method towards copper-containing periodic mesoporous organosilicas : detailed investigation of the copper distribution in the material Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Journal of the Chemical Society : Dalton transactions Abbreviated Journal Dalton T  
  Volume 44 Issue 44 Pages 9970-9979  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)  
  Abstract Three-dimensional cubic Fm (3) over barm mesoporous copper-containing ethane-bridged PMO materials have been prepared through a direct-synthesis method at room temperature in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as surfactant. The obtained materials have been unambiguously characterized in detail by several sophisticated techniques, including XRD, UV-Vis-Dr, TEM, elemental mapping, continuous- wave and pulsed EPR spectroscopy. The results show that at lower copper loading, the Cu2+ species are well dispersed in the Cu-PMO materials, and mainly exist as mononuclear Cu2+ species. At higher copper loading amount, Cu2+ clusters are observed in the materials, but the distribution of the Cu2+ species is still much better in the Cu-PMO materials prepared through the direct-synthesis method than in a Cu-containing PMO material prepared through an impregnation method. Moreover, the evolution of the copper incorporation during the PMO synthesis has been followed by EPR. The results show that the immobilization of the Cu2+ ion/complex and the formation of the PMO materials are taking place simultaneously. The copper ions are found to be situated on the inner surface of the mesopores of the materials and are accessible, which will be beneficial for the catalytic applications.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication London Editor  
  Language Wos 000355000700028 Publication Date 2015-04-28  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1477-9226;1477-9234; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.029 Times cited 11 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Goa-Bof; 335078 Colouratom; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 4.029; 2015 IF: 4.197  
  Call Number c:irua:126422 Serial 725  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author La Porta, A.; Sanchez-Iglesias, A.; Altantzis, T.; Bals, S.; Grzelczak, M.; Liz-Marzan, L.M. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Multifunctional self-assembled composite colloids and their application to SERS detection Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale  
  Volume 7 Issue 7 Pages 10377-10381  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract We present a simple method for the co-encapsulation of gold nanostars and iron-oxide nanoparticles into hybrid colloidal composites that are highly responsive to both light and external magnetic fields. Self-assembly was driven by hydrophobic interactions between polystyrene capped gold nanostars and iron oxide nanocrystals stabilized with oleic acid, upon addition of water. A block copolymer was then used to encapsulate the resulting spherical colloidal particle clusters, which thereby became hydrophilic. Electron microscopy analysis unequivocally shows that each composite particle comprises a single Au nanostar surrounded by a few hundreds of iron oxide nanocrystals. We demonstrate that this hybrid colloidal system can be used as an efficient substrate for surface enhanced Raman scattering, using common dyes as model molecular probes. The co-encapsulation of iron oxide nanoparticles renders the system magnetically responsive, so that application of an external magnetic field leads to particle accumulation and limits of detection are in the nM range.  
  Address A1 Article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT);  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language English Wos 000355987300010 Publication Date 2015-04-22  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2040-3364;2040-3372; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.367 Times cited 51 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes 267867 Plasmaquo; 335078 Colouratom; 262348 Esmi; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 7.367; 2015 IF: 7.394  
  Call Number c:irua:127003 Serial 3940  
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sheng, X.; Daems, N.; Geboes, B.; Kurttepeli, M.; Bals, S.; Breugelmans, T.; Hubin, A.; Vankelecom, I.F.J.; Pescarmona, P.P. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title N-doped ordered mesoporous carbons prepared by a two-step nanocasting strategy as highly active and selective electrocatalysts for the reduction of O2 to H2O2 Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Applied catalysis : B : environmental Abbreviated Journal Appl Catal B-Environ  
  Volume 176-177 Issue 176-177 Pages 212-224  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)  
  Abstract A new, two-step nanocasting method was developed to prepare N-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (NOMC) electrocatalysts for the reduction of O2 to H2O2. Our strategy involves the sequential pyrolysis of two inexpensive and readily available N and C precursors, i.e. aniline and dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN), inside the pores of a SBA-15 hard silica template to obtain N-doped graphitic carbon materials with well-ordered pores and high surface areas (764 and 877 m2g−1). By tuning the ratio of carbon sources to silica template, it was possible to achieve an optimal filling of the pores of the SBA-15 silica and to minimise carbon species outside the pores. These NOMC materials displayed outstanding electrocatalytic activity in the oxygen reduction reaction, achieving a remarkably enhanced kinetic current density compared to state-of-the-art N-doped carbon materials (−16.7 mA cm−2 at −0.35 V vs. Ag/AgCl in a 0.1 M KOH solution as electrolyte). The NOMC electrocatalysts showed high selectivity toward the two-electron reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide and excellent long-term stability.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000356549200022 Publication Date 2015-04-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0926-3373; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.446 Times cited 111 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes 335078 Colouratom; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:green; preprint:; postprint:can ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 9.446; 2015 IF: 7.435  
  Call Number c:irua:125370 Serial 2246  
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Author Mourdikoudis, S.; Chirea, M.; Zanaga, D.; Altantzis, T.; Mitrakas, M.; Bals, S.; Marzán, L.M.; Pérez-Juste, J.; Pastoriza-Santos, I. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Governing the morphology of PtAu heteronanocrystals with improved electrocatalytic performance Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale  
  Volume 7 Issue 7 Pages 8739-8747  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Platinumgold heteronanostructures comprising either dimer (PtAu) or coresatellite (Pt@Au) configurations were synthesized by means of a seeded growth procedure using platinum nanodendrites as seeds. Careful control of the reduction kinetics of the gold precursor can be used to direct the nucleation and growth of gold nanoparticles on either one or multiple surface sites simultaneously, leading to the formation of either dimers or coresatellite nanoparticles, respectively, in high yields. Characterization by electron tomography and high resolution electron microscopy provided a better understanding of the actual three-dimensional particle morphology, as well as the AuPt interface, revealing quasi-epitaxial growth of Au on Pt. The prepared PtAu bimetallic nanostructures are highly efficient catalysts for ethanol oxidation in alkaline solution, showing accurate selectivity, high sensitivity, and improved efficiency by generating higher current densities than their monometallic counterparts.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor  
  Language Wos 000354204400011 Publication Date 2015-03-12  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2040-3364;2040-3372; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.367 Times cited 41 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes 335078 Colouratom; 262348 Esmi; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 7.367; 2015 IF: 7.394  
  Call Number c:irua:126354 Serial 1360  
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Author Javon, E.; Gaceur, M.; Dachraoui, W.; Margeat, O.; Ackermann, J.; Ilenia Saba, M.; Delugas, P.; Mattoni, A.; Bals, S.; Van Tendeloo, G. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Competing forces in the self-assembly of coupled ZnO nanopyramids Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication ACS nano Abbreviated Journal Acs Nano  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 3685-3694  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Self-assembly (SA) of nanostructures has recently gained increasing interest. A clear understanding of the process is not straightforward since SA of nanoparticles is a complex multiscale phenomenon including different driving forces. Here, we study the SA between aluminum doped ZnO nanopyramids into couples by combining inorganic chemistry and advanced electron microscopy techniques with atomistic simulations. Our results show that the SA of the coupled nanopyramids is controlled first by morphology, as coupling only occurs in the case of pyramids with well-developed facets of the basal planes. The combination of electron microscopy and atomistic modeling reveals that the coupling is further driven by strong ligandligand interaction between the bases of the pyramids as dominant force, while screening effects due to Al doping or solvent as well as corecore interaction are only minor contributions. Our combined approach provides a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between the interactions at work in the coupled SA of ZnO nanopyramids.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000353867000030 Publication Date 2015-03-12  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1936-0851;1936-086X; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 13.942 Times cited 21 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes Esmi; 335078 Colouratom; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 13.942; 2015 IF: 12.881  
  Call Number c:irua:125978 Serial 434  
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Author Lentijo-Mozo, S.; Tan, R.P.; Garcia-Marcelot, C.; Altantzis, T.; Fazzini, P.F.; Hungria, T.; Cormary, B.; Gallagher, J.R.; Miller, J.T.; Martinez, H.; Schrittwieser, S.; Schotter, J.; Respaud, M.; Bals, S.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Gatel, C.; Soulantica, K. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Air- and water-resistant noble metal coated ferromagnetic cobalt nanorods Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication ACS nano Abbreviated Journal Acs Nano  
  Volume 9 Issue 9 Pages 2792-2804  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Cobalt nanorods possess ideal magnetic properties for applications requiring magnetically hard nanoparticles. However, their exploitation is undermined by their sensitivity toward oxygen and water, which deteriorates their magnetic properties. The development of a continuous metal shell inert to oxidation could render them stable, opening perspectives not only for already identified applications but also for uses in which contact with air and/or aqueous media is inevitable. However, the direct growth of a conformal noble metal shell on magnetic metals is a challenge. Here, we show that prior treatment of Co nanorods with a tin coordination compound is the crucial step that enables the subsequent growth of a continuous noble metal shell on their surface, rendering them air- and water-resistant, while conserving the monocrystallity, metallicity and the magnetic properties of the Co core. Thus, the as-synthesized coreshell ferromagnetic nanorods combine high magnetization and strong uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, even after exposure to air and water, and hold promise for successful implementation in in vitro biodiagnostics requiring probes of high magnetization and anisotropic shape.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000351791800055 Publication Date 2015-03-03  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1936-0851;1936-086X; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 13.942 Times cited 25 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes 312483 Esteem2; 246791 Countatoms; 335078 Colouratom; esteem2ta; ECASSara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 13.942; 2015 IF: 12.881  
  Call Number c:irua:125380 c:irua:125380 Serial 87  
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Author Rehor, I.; Lee, K.L.; Chen, K.; Hajek, M.; Havlik, J.; Lokajova, J.; Masat, M.; Slegerova, J.; Shukla, S.; Heidari, H.; Bals, S.; Steinmetz, N.F.; Cigler, P. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Plasmonic nanodiamonds : targeted coreshell type nanoparticles for cancer cell thermoablation Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Advanced healthcare materials Abbreviated Journal Adv Healthc Mater  
  Volume 4 Issue 4 Pages 460-468  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract Targeted biocompatible nanostructures with controlled plasmonic and morphological parameters are promising materials for cancer treatment based on selective thermal ablation of cells. Here, coreshell plasmonic nanodiamonds consisting of a silica-encapsulated diamond nanocrystal coated in a gold shell are designed and synthesized. The architecture of particles is analyzed and confirmed in detail using electron tomography. The particles are biocompatibilized using a PEG polymer terminated with bioorthogonally reactive alkyne groups. Azide-modified transferrin is attached to these particles, and their high colloidal stability and successful targeting to cancer cells overexpressing the transferrin receptor are demonstrated. The particles are nontoxic to the cells and they are readily internalized upon binding to the transferrin receptor. The high plasmonic cross section of the particles in the near-infrared region is utilized to quantitatively ablate the cancer cells with a short, one-minute irradiation by a pulse 750-nm laser.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000349961600014 Publication Date 2015-02-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2192-2640; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.11 Times cited 30 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes 335078 Colouratom; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 5.11; 2015 IF: 5.797  
  Call Number c:irua:125375 Serial 2647  
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Author De Schouwer, F.; Claes, L.; Claes, N.; Bals, S.; Degrève, J.; De Vos, D.E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Pd-catalyzed decarboxylation of glutamic acid and pyroglutamic acid to bio-based 2-pyrrolidone Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Green chemistry : cutting-edge research for a greener sustainable future Abbreviated Journal Green Chem  
  Volume 17 Issue 17 Pages 2263-2270  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract In order to recycle nitrogen from nitrogen-rich waste streams, particularly protein waste, we studied the decarboxylation of pyroglutamic acid and glutamic acid in a one-pot reaction to bio-based 2-pyrrolidone. After the screening of a wide range of supported Pd and Pt catalysts, 5 wt% Pd/Al2O3 displayed the highest yield (70%) and selectivity (81%) for the decarboxylation of pyroglutamic acid in water at 250 °C and under an inert atmosphere. Side products originate from consecutive reactions of 2-pyrrolidone; different reaction pathways are proposed to explain the presence of degradation products like propionic acid, γ-hydroxybutyric acid, γ-butyrolactone and methylamine. An extensive study of the reaction parameters was performed to check their influence on selectivity and conversion. This heterogeneous catalytic system was successfully extended to the conversion of glutamic acid.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication London Editor  
  Language Wos 000352724200027 Publication Date 2015-02-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1463-9262;1463-9270; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 9.125 Times cited 47 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes 335078 Colouratom; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:yellow; preprint:; postprint:restricted ; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 9.125; 2015 IF: 8.020  
  Call Number c:irua:125378 Serial 2564  
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Author Lin, F.; Meng, X.; Kukueva, E.; Kus, M.; Mertens, M.; Bals, S.; Van Doorslaer, S.; Cool, P. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Novel method to synthesize highly ordered ethane-bridged PMOs under mild acidic conditions : taking advantages of phosphoric acid Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Microporous and mesoporous materials: zeolites, clays, carbons and related materials Abbreviated Journal Micropor Mesopor Mat  
  Volume 207 Issue 207 Pages 61-70  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)  
  Abstract Highly ordered SBA-15-type ethane-bridged PMOs have been obtained by employing H3PO4 as acid to tune the pH in the presence of copolymer surfactant P123. The effects of the acidity and the addition of inorganic salt on the formation of the mesostructure are investigated. It is found that, compared with HCl, the polyprotic weak acid H3PO4 is preferable for the synthesis of highly ordered SBA-15-type ethane-bridged PMOs with larger pore size and surface areas under mild acidic conditions. Moreover, taking the advantages of the mild acidic condition, vanadium-containing SBA-15-type ethane-bridged PMOs were successfully prepared through a direct synthesis approach. The XRD, N2-sorption, UVVis and CW-EPR studies of the V-PMO show that part of the vanadium species are present in polymeric (VOV)n clusters, while part of the vanadium centers are well-dispersed and immobilized on the inner surface of the mesopores.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Amsterdam Editor  
  Language Wos 000350518600009 Publication Date 2015-01-14  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1387-1811; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.615 Times cited 5 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes ; The Erasmus Mundus CONNEC program is acknowledged for PhD funding of F.Lin. Furthermore, the authors acknowledge support by the GOA-BOF project 'Optimization of the structure-activity relation in nanoporous materials', funded by the University of Antwerp. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.615; 2015 IF: 3.453  
  Call Number c:irua:123910 Serial 2379  
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Author Van Tendeloo, L.; Wangermez, W.; Kurttepeli, M.; de Blochouse, B.; Bals, S.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Martens, J.A.; Maes, A.; Kirschhock, C.E.A.; Breynaert, E. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Chabazite : stable cation-exchanger in hyper alkaline concrete pore water Type A1 Journal article
  Year (down) 2015 Publication Environmental science and technology Abbreviated Journal Environ Sci Technol  
  Volume 49 Issue 49 Pages 2358-2365  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)  
  Abstract To avoid impact on the environment, facilities for permanent disposal of hazardous waste adopt multibarrier design schemes. As the primary barrier very often consists of cement-based materials, two distinct aspects are essential for the selection of suitable complementary barriers: (1) selective sorption of the contaminants in the repository and (2) long-term chemical stability in hyperalkaline concrete-derived media. A multidisciplinary approach combining experimental strategies from environmental chemistry and materials science is therefore essential to provide a reliable assessment of potential candidate materials. Chabazite is typically synthesized in 1 M KOH solutions but also crystallizes in simulated young cement pore water, a pH 13 aqueous solution mainly containing K+ and Na+ cations. Its formation and stability in this medium was evaluated as a function of temperature (60 and 85 °C) over a timeframe of more than 2 years and was also asessed from a mechanistic point of view. Chabazite demonstrates excellent cation-exchange properties in simulated young cement pore water. Comparison of its Cs+ cation exchange properties at pH 8 and pH 13 unexpectedly demonstrated an increase of the KD with increasing pH. The combined results identify chabazite as a valid candidate for inclusion in engineered barriers for concrete-based waste disposal.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Easton, Pa Editor  
  Language Wos 000349806400047 Publication Date 2015-01-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0013-936X;1520-5851; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 6.198 Times cited 13 Open Access OpenAccess  
  Notes This work was supported by long-term structural funding by the Flemish Government (Methusalem) 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). G.V.T. and S.B. acknowledge financial support from European Research Council (ERC Advanced Grant no. 24691-COUNTATOMS, ERC Starting Grant no. 335078-COLOURATOMS).; ECAS_Sara; (ROMEO:white; preprint:; postprint:restricted 12 months embargo; pdfversion:cannot); Approved Most recent IF: 6.198; 2015 IF: 5.330  
  Call Number c:irua:127695 Serial 307  
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