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Author Cong, S.
Title Numerical study on low-pressure hollow cathode argon arc plasma Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages XIX, 126 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Philosophy; Educational sciences; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The low-pressure hollow cathode discharge made of a hollow circular tube and an anode is a type of simple structure discharge system. In particular, under the arc discharge mode, hollow cathodes have high plasma density and energy density with a wide range of adaptability of pressure and current. Low-pressure hollow cathode arc (HCA) discharges have been widely used as plasma sources in various fields such as manufacturing, vacuum welding, and aerospace since the 1960s. Despite the early experimental and applied researches on low-pressure HCA discharges, the basic theoretical study was relatively lagged much behind, resulting in many unanswered questions, such as the optimal discharge operating parameters, the power deposition inside the cathode, the causes of plasma instability, and how to effectively reduce cathode erosion and so on. Due to the special discharge structure of the hollow cathode, it is difficult to make an accurate experimental diagnosis, so a reasonable numerical simulation is an effective study method. However, up to now, there is still a lack of complete and effective numerical models which can evaluate various physical fields in the low-pressure hollow cathode discharges. To address the above problems and difficulties, a comprehensive and self-consistent 2D multi-physical coupling numerical model based on a commercial program of finite element method, the COMSOL Multiphysics, was provided in this paper. The model involves plasma transport, arc flow and heat transfer, and cathode thermal equilibrium, and can consider the effect of an applied magnetic field. The processes of secondary electron emission, thermal-field electron emission, ions and backflow high-energy electrons bombardment, and thermal radiation from the cathode surface are considered in the cathode thermal equilibrium process. Based on the above background, this paper works from the following aspects: In Chapter 1, the basic concepts of low-pressure HCA discharge including the hollow cathode effect, the basic characteristics, and operation modes were introduced firstly; Secondly, the application fields, development history, and overseas and domestic research status of hollow cathode discharge were reviewed; finally, the problems were presented and the research background was explained, and the research purpose of this paper was clarified. In Chapter 2, a complete and self-consistent numerical model of low-pressure hollow cathode discharge was proposed based on the fundamental theory and assumptions, and the set of control equations and boundary conditions in the model were elaborated. In addition, the electron energy distribution function, the collision processes, the solving tools of this model, and calculation schemes were introduced in detail. Finally, a validation example was given to test the rationality and applicability of the numerical model. In Chapter 3, the fundamental plasma properties of low-pressure hollow cathode arcs were investigated. Firstly, the ion Joule heating effect was studied. The results showed that the temperature distributions of the arc and cathode are only able to approach the experimental measurements after considering the ion Joule heating, which shows that the Joule heating of ions is crucial for the heating of the arc plasma. Secondly, by comparing the radial distribution of electron and ion density inside the cathode, the structure of the cathode sheath could be simulated well using this model. Finally, it was shown that the thermal radiation from the cathode surface is an important cooling mechanism of the cathode and only under higher surface emissivity can balance the larger heat flow given by the plasma to the cathode, and the temperature distribution of the cathode shows a non-monotonic increasing trend and is consistent with the profile of experimental measurement so that the so-called active zone is formed. In Chapter 4, the power deposition in the low-pressure HCA was studied in simulation. Two main aspects were considered: the power deposition into particles (both electrons and heavy particles) and the power deposition onto the cathode. It was found that the deposited power into particles increases with the rise of discharge current, but there is no effect on the total power deposition onto the cathode. In high-density plasmas, Coulomb collisions between electrons and ions also become very important, especially since a portion of the deposition energy on heavy particles comes mainly from the energy transfer from electrons to ions. It was also found that regardless of external parameters, half of the power deposition onto the cathode always comes from the particle contribution, while the other half is the net contribution of heat transfer and cathode radiation. The HCA model also allows the simulation of multiple discharge modes for low-pressure HCA discharges over a wide range of gas flow rates. It was also shown that the discharge operating conditions and the external magnetic field can change the distribution of the particle flow on the cathode wall. In Chapter 5, the ion sputtering erosion process on the cathode was simulated by coupling the HCA numerical model with the moving grid technique. The results showed that the ion sputtering erosion on the cathode depends on the ion flux and the plasma potential near the cathode wall and that their distribution and magnitude jointly determine the erosion morphology of the cathode. It was also found that the location of the most severe erosion on the cathode is located in the region of the densest ion flux on the cathode wall, rather than in the longitudinal correspondence with the central region of the internal positive column (IPC). The external magnetic fields can mitigate the cathode erosion and reduce the erosion depth, but stronger magnetic fields lead to a concentration of current density at the cathode tip, which can enhance erosion slightly at the cathode outlet end. Finally, the conclusions and innovation highlights were summarized, and prospects for future work were discussed.
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Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178725 Serial 8323
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Author Lu, A.K.A.; Pourtois, G.; Luisier, M.; Radu, I.P.; Houssa, M.
Title On the electrostatic control achieved in transistors based on multilayered MoS2 : a first-principles study Type A1 Journal article
Year 2017 Publication Journal of applied physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 121 Issue 4 Pages 044505
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract In this work, the electrostatic control in metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors based on MoS2 is studied, with respect to the number of MoS2 layers in the channel and to the equivalent oxide thickness of the gate dielectric, using first-principles calculations combined with a quantum transport formalism. Our simulations show that a compromise exists between the drive current and the electrostatic control on the channel. When increasing the number of MoS2 layers, a degradation of the device performances in terms of subthreshold swing and OFF currents arises due to the screening of the MoS2 layers constituting the transistor channel. Published by AIP Publishing.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000393480100030 Publication Date 2017-01-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0021-8979; 1089-7550 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:152673 Serial 8329
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Author Belov, I.
Title Plasma-assisted conversion of carbon dioxide Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2017 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
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ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:146275 Serial 8387
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Author Biondo, O.; Hughes, A.; van der Steeg, A.; Maerivoet, S.; Loenders, B.; van Rooij, G.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Power concentration determined by thermodynamic properties in complex gas mixtures : the case of plasma-based dry reforming of methane Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Plasma sources science and technology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 32 Issue 4 Pages 045001-45020
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We investigate discharge contraction in a microwave plasma at sub-atmospheric pressure, operating in CO2 and CO2/CH4 mixtures. The rise of the electron number density with plasma contraction intensifies the gas heating in the core of the plasma. This, in turn, initiates fast core-periphery transport and defines the rate of thermal chemistry over plasma chemistry. In this context, power concentration describes the overall mechanism including plasma contraction and chemical kinetics. In a complex chemistry such as dry reforming of methane, transport of reactive species is essential to define the performance of the reactor and achieve the desired outputs. Thus, we couple experimental observations and thermodynamic calculations for model validation and understanding of reactor performance. Adding CH4 alters the thermodynamic properties of the mixture, especially the reactive component of the heat conductivity. The increase in reactive heat conductivity increases the pressure at which plasma contraction occurs, because higher rates of gas heating are required to reach the same temperature. In addition, we suggest that the predominance of heat conduction over convection is a key condition to observe the effect of heat conductivity on gas temperature.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000963579500001 Publication Date 2023-03-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0963-0252 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.8 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.8; 2023 IF: 3.302
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196044 Serial 8397
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Author Bal, K.M.
Title Reweighted Jarzynski sampling : acceleration of rare events and free energy calculation with a bias potential learned from nonequilibrium work Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Journal Of Chemical Theory And Computation Abbreviated Journal J Chem Theory Comput
Volume 17 Issue 11 Pages 6766-6774
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We introduce a simple enhanced sampling approach for the calculation of free energy differences and barriers along a one-dimensional reaction coordinate. First, a small number of short nonequilibrium simulations are carried out along the reaction coordinate, and the Jarzynski equality is used to learn an approximate free energy surface from the nonequilibrium work distribution. This free energy estimate is represented in a compact form as an artificial neural network and used as an external bias potential to accelerate rare events in a subsequent molecular dynamics simulation. The final free energy estimate is then obtained by reweighting the equilibrium probability distribution of the reaction coordinate sampled under the influence of the external bias. We apply our reweighted Jarzynski sampling recipe to four processes of varying scales and complexities.spanning chemical reaction in the gas phase, pair association in solution, and droplet nucleation in supersaturated vapor. In all cases, we find reweighted Jarzynski sampling to be a very efficient strategy, resulting in rapid convergence of the free energy to high precision.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000718183600008 Publication Date 2021-10-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1549-9618 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.245 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.245
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184676 Serial 8479
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Author Cui, Z.; Zhou, C.; Jafarzadeh, A.; Zhang, X.; Hao, Y.; Li, L.; Bogaerts, A.
Title SF₆ degradation in γ-Al₂O₃ packed DBD system : effects of hydration, reactive gases and plasma-induced surface charges Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Plasma chemistry and plasma processing Abbreviated Journal
Volume 43 Issue Pages 635-656
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Packed-bed DBD (PB-DBD) plasmas hold promise for effective degradation of greenhouse gases like SF6. In this work, we conducted a combined experimental and theoretical study to investigate the effect of the packing surface structure and the plasma surface discharge on the SF6 degradation in a gamma-Al2O3 packing DBD system. Experimental results show that both the hydration effect of the surface (upon moisture) and the presence of excessive reactive gases in the plasma can significantly reduce the SF6 degradation, but they hardly change the discharge behavior. DFT results show that the pre-adsorption of species such as H, OH, H2O and O-2 can occupy the active sites (Al-III site) which negatively impacts the SF6 adsorption. H2O molecules pre-adsorbed at neighboring sites can promote the activation of SF6 molecules and lower the reaction barrier for the S-F bond-breaking process. Surface-induced charges and local external electric fields caused by the plasma can both improve the SF6 adsorption and enhance the elongation of the S-F bonds. Our results indicate that both the surface structure of the packing material and the plasma surface discharge are crucial for SF6 degradation performance, and the packing beads should be kept dry during the degradation. This work helps to understand the underlying mechanisms of SF6 degradation in a PB-DBD system.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000966639200001 Publication Date 2023-04-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0272-4324 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.6; 2023 IF: 2.355
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196033 Serial 8516
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Author Tchakoua, T.; Powell, A.D.; Gerrits, N.; Somers, M.F.; Doblhoff-Dier, K.; Busnengo, H.F.; Kroes, G.-J.
Title Simulating highly activated sticking of H₂ on Al(110) : quantum versus quasi-classical dynamics Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal
Volume 127 Issue 11 Pages 5395-5407
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We evaluate the importance of quantum effects on the sticking of H2 on Al(110) for conditions that are close to those of molecular beam experiments that have been done on this system. Calculations with the quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) method and with quantum dynamics (QD) are performed using a model in which only motion in the six molecular degrees of freedom is allowed. The potential energy surface used has a minimum barrier height close to the value recently obtained with the quantum Monte Carlo method. Monte Carlo averaging over the initial rovibrational states allowed the QD calculations to be done with an order of magnitude smaller computational expense. The sticking probability curve computed with QD is shifted to lower energies relative to the QCT curve by 0.21 to 0.05 kcal/mol, with the highest shift obtained for the lowest incidence energy. Quantum effects are therefore expected to play a small role in calculations that would evaluate the accuracy of electronic structure methods for determining the minimum barrier height to dissociative chemisorption for H2 + Al(110) on the basis of the standard procedure for comparing results of theory with molecular beam experiments.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000971346700001 Publication Date 2023-03-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447; 1932-7455 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2023 IF: 4.536
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196071 Serial 8525
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Author Ghasemitarei, M.
Title Study of the interaction of plasma radicals with malignant tumor cells by means of Molecular Dynamics simulation Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2019 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 117 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract abstract not available
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Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
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ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164763 Serial 8606
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Author Friedman, P.C.; Miller, V.; Fridman, G.; Lin, A.; Fridman, A.
Title Successful treatment of actinic keratoses using nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma : a case series Type L1 Letter to the editor
Year 2017 Publication Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 76 Issue 2 Pages 349-350
Keywords L1 Letter to the editor; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000396905000041 Publication Date 2017-01-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0190-9622 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:155655 Serial 8617
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Author Van Loenhout, J.
Title Targeting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma with oxidative stress-mediated treatment strategies : focus on tumor cell death and modulation of the tumor microenvironment Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2021 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 167 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are two of the most malignant solid tumor types with poor survival rates, which underscore the urgency of novel and efficacious treatment strategies. Within the last decade, immunotherapy has been established as a breakthrough in cancer therapy. This mainly has been driven by the clinical data and approval associated with several immune checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/L1). Despite the clinical benefit in specific tumor types, these inhibitors have not yet fulfilled their promise in low immunogenic tumors such as PDAC and GBM. Oxidative stress in cancer cells due to elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and an inability to balance intracellular redox state has recently been highlighted as promising target for anticancer treatment strategies with possible immunogenic effects. In this PhD dissertation, I investigated novel oxidative stress-mediated treatment approaches to target PDAC and GBM and to enhance immunogenicity by inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD). In the first part of this thesis (chapter 2), I reviewed the mechanistic responses of cancer cells towards different oxidative stress-inducing treatment strategies and their immunomodulating effects. The resulting literature demonstrated that different exogenous and endogenous ROS-inducing therapies show direct and indirect immunomodulating effects, which can be either immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive. One of the indirect immunostimulatory effects of the ROS-mediating therapies is the capacity of inducing immunogenic cell death (ICD) in tumor cells, which can increase the immunogenicity and consequently can trigger an antitumoral immune response. In chapter 3, I investigated a novel exogenous ROS-inducing treatment method, namely cold atmospheric plasma, to determine the therapeutic and ICD-inducing effects in PDAC, in vitro. I revealed that plasma-treated PBS (pPBS) has the potential to induce ICD in pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and to reduce the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) by attacking the tumor supportive pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Although the cell death induced in PSCs was non-immunogenic as seen by the lack of danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) emission and DC activation, I showed that pPBS could disrupt the physical barrier and lower the immunosuppressive secretion profile (lower TGF-β) of PSCs. In contrast, DAMPs were released by PCCs after treatment with pPBS which resulted in activation and maturation of DCs and a more immunostimulatory secretion profile (higher TNF-α, IFN-γ). Hence, indirect plasma treatment via pPBS has the potential to enhance immunogenicity in PDAC by triggering ICD and by attacking the immunosuppressive PSCs. Tumor cells can evolve adaptation mechanisms to protect themselves against intrinsic oxidative stress by upregulation of pro-survival molecules and their antioxidant defense system to maintain the redox balance. As such, tumor cells can become resistant towards exogenous ROS-inducing therapies, like plasma. Dual targeting of the redox balance of tumor cells by increasing exogenous levels of ROS and inhibiting the antioxidant defense system can maximally exploit ROS-mediated cell death mechanisms as therapeutic anticancer strategy. In this regard, cold atmospheric plasma was combined with auranofin, a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor, in GBM (chapter 4). A synergistic effect was shown after this combination treatment in 2D and 3D, however, in 3D only high concentrations of auranofin synergized with plasma treatment. I confirmed a ROS-mediated response after combination treatment, which was able to induce distinct cell death mechanisms, specifically apoptosis and ferroptosis. Additionally, the auranofin and plasma combined treatment strategy induced cell death, which resulted in an increased release of DAMPs. Together with the observed DC maturation, these results indicates the potential increase in immunogenicity, though, the phagocytotic capacity of DCs was inhibited by auranofin. In chapter 5, I evaluated this promising oxidative stress combination therapy in GBM, in vivo. A decrease in tumor kinetics and an increased survival in GBM-bearing mice was observed when auranofin was sequentially combined with direct plasma treatment. No T cell infiltration was observed after auranofin monotherapy. However, further characterization of the TME after the combination therapy is necessary to provide more insight in the immunogenic effects in vivo. In conclusion, this PhD dissertation comprises novel and important therapeutic and immunogenic insights in cold atmospheric plasma and auranofin as promising oxidative stress-mediated treatment strategies for low immunogenic tumors, like PDAC and GBM. These preclinical results provide a solid basis for future research towards combinations with immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181309 Serial 8643
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Author Yu, H.; Schaekers, M.; Chew, S.A.; Eyeraert, J.-L.; Dabral, A.; Pourtois, G.; Horiguchi, N.; Mocuta, D.; Collaert, N.; De Meyer, K.
Title Titanium (germano-)silicides featuring 10-9 Ω.cm2 contact resistivity and improved compatibility to advanced CMOS technology Type P1 Proceeding
Year 2018 Publication 2018 18th International Workshop On Junction Technology (iwjt) Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 80-84 T2 - 18th International Workshop on Junction
Keywords P1 Proceeding; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract uIn this work, we discuss three novel Ti (germano-)silicidation techniques featuring respectively the pre-contact amorphization implantation (PCAI), the TiSi co-deposition, and Ti atomic layer deposition (ALD). All three techniques form TiSix(Ge-y) contacts with ultralow contact resistivity (rho(c)) of (1-3)x10(-9) Omega.cm(2) on both highly doped n-Si and p-SiGe substrates: these techniques meet rho(c) requirement of 5-14 nm CMOS technology and feature unified CMOS contact solutions. We further discuss the compatibility of these techniques to the realistic CMOS transistor fabrication.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000502768600020 Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 978-1-5386-4511-6; 978-1-5386-4511-6 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165190 Serial 8673
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Author Vereecke, G.; De Coster, H.; Van Alphen, S.; Carolan, P.; Bender, H.; Willems, K.; Ragnarsson, L.-A.; Van Dorpe, P.; Horiguchi, N.; Holsteyns, F.
Title Wet etching of TiN in 1-D and 2-D confined nano-spaces of FinFET transistors Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Microelectronic engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 200 Issue Pages 56-61
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract In the manufacturing of multi-Vt FinFET transistors, the gate material deposited in the nano-spaces left by the removed dummy gate must be etched back in mask-defined wafer areas. Etch conformality is a necessary condition for the control of under-etch at the boundary between areas defined by masking. We studied the feasibility of TiN etching by APM (ammonia peroxide mixture, also known as SC1) in nano-confined volumes representative of FinFET transistors of the 7 nm node and below, namely nanotrenches with 1-D confinement and nanoholes with 2-D confinement. TiN etching was characterized for rate and conformality using different electron microscopy techniques. Etching in closed nanotrenches was conformal, starting and progressing all along the 2-D seam, with a rate that was 38% higher compared to a planar film. Etching in closed nanoholes proved also to be conformal and faster than planar films, but with a delay to open the 1-D seam that seemed to depend strongly on small variations in the hole diameter. However, holes between the fins at the bottom of the removed dummy gate, are not circular and do present 2-D seams that should lend themselves for an easier start of conformal etching as compared to the circular nanoholes used in this study. Finally, to explain the higher etch rate observed in nano-confined features, concentrations of ions in nanoholes were calculated taking the overlap of electrostatic double layers (EDL) into account. With negatively charged TiN walls, as measured by streaming potential on planar films, ammonium was the dominant ion in nanoholes. As no chemical reaction proposed in the literature for TiN etching matched with this finding, we proposed that the formation of ammine complexes, dissolving the formed Ti oxide, was the rate-determining step.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000449134800010 Publication Date 2018-09-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0167-9317 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:155414 Serial 8757
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Author Kelly, S.; Mercer, E.; De Meyer, R.; Ciocarlan, R.-G.; Bals, S.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Microwave plasma-based dry reforming of methane: Reaction performance and carbon formation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of CO2 utilization Abbreviated Journal Journal of CO2 Utilization
Volume 75 Issue Pages 102564
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract e investigate atmospheric pressure microwave (MW) plasma (2.45 GHz) conversion in CO2 and CH4 mixtures (i.e., dry reforming of methane, DRM) focusing on reaction performance and carbon formation. Promising energy costs of ~2.8–3.0 eV/molecule or ~11.1–11.9 kJ/L are amongst the best performance to date considering the current state-of-the-art for plasma-based DRM for all types of plasma. The conversion is in the range of ~46–49% and ~55–67% for CO2 and CH4, respectively, producing primarily syngas (i.e., H2 and CO) with H2/CO ratios of ~0.6–1 at CH4 fractions ranging from 30% to 45%. Water is the largest byproduct with levels ranging ~7–14% in the exhaust. Carbon particles visibly impact the plasma at higher CH4 fractions (> 30%), where they become heated and incandescent. Particle luminosity increases with increasing CH4 fractions, with the plasma becoming unstable near a 1:1 mixture (i.e., > 45% CH4). Electron microscopy of the carbon material reveals an agglomerated morphology of pure carbon nanoparticles. The mean particle size is determined as ~20 nm, free of any metal contamination, consistent with the electrode-less MW design.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001065310000001 Publication Date 2023-08-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2212-9820 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7.7 Times cited 6 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes We acknowledge financial support by a European Space Agency (ESA) Open Science Innovation Platform study (contract no. 4000137001/21/NL/GLC/ov), the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship ‘‘PENFIX’’ within Horizon 2020 (grant no. 838181), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program (grant no. 810182; SCOPE ERC Synergy project), the Excellence of Science FWOFNRS PLASyntH2 project (FWO grant no. G0I1822N and EOS no. 4000751) and the Methusalem project of the University of Antwerp Approved Most recent IF: 7.7; 2023 IF: 4.292
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:198155 Serial 8807
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Author Khalilov, U.; Yusupov, M.; Eshonqulov, Gb.; Neyts, Ec.; Berdiyorov, Gr.
Title Atomic level mechanisms of graphene healing by methane-based plasma radicals Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication FlatChem Abbreviated Journal FlatChem
Volume 39 Issue Pages 100506
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000990342500001 Publication Date 2023-04-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2452-2627 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 6.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes U.K., M.Y. and G.B.E. acknowledge the support of the Agency for Innovative Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan (Grant numbers F-FA-2021-512 and FZ-2020092435). The computational resources and services used in this work were partially provided by the HPC core facility CalcUA of the Universiteit Antwerpen and VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Government. Approved Most recent IF: 6.2; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:197442 Serial 8813
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Author Morais, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Modelling the dynamics of hydrogen synthesis from methane in nanosecond‐pulsed plasmas Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Plasma processes and polymers Abbreviated Journal Plasma Processes & Polymers
Volume 21 Issue 1 Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract A chemical kinetics model was developed to characterise the gas‐phase dynamics of H<sub>2</sub>production in nanosecond‐pulsed CH<sub>4</sub>plasmas. Pulsed behaviour was observed in the calculated electric field, electron temperature and species densities at all pressures. The model agrees reasonably with experimental results, showing CH<sub>4</sub>conversion at 30% and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>2</sub>and H<sub>2</sub>as major products. The underlying mechanisms in CH<sub>4</sub>dissociation and H<sub>2</sub>formation were analysed, highlighting the large contribution of vibrationally excited CH<sub>4</sub>and H<sub>2</sub>to coupling energy from the plasma into gas‐phase heating, and revealing that H<sub>2</sub>synthesis is not affected by applied pressure, with selectivity remaining unchanged at ~42% in the 1–5 bar range.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001091258700001 Publication Date 2023-10-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1612-8850 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.5 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes We gratefully acknowledge financial support by the Flemish Government through the Moonshot cSBO project “Power‐to‐Olefins” (P2O; HBC.2020.2620) and funding from the Independent Research Fund Denmark (project nr. 0217‐00231B). Approved Most recent IF: 3.5; 2024 IF: 2.846
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:201192 Serial 8983
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Author Ndayirinde, C.; Gorbanev, Y.; Ciocarlan, R.-G.; De Meyer, R.; Smets, A.; Vlasov, E.; Bals, S.; Cool, P.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma-catalytic ammonia synthesis : packed catalysts act as plasma modifiers Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Catalysis today Abbreviated Journal
Volume 419 Issue Pages 114156-12
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We studied the plasma-catalytic production of NH3 from H2 and N2 in a dielectric barrier discharge plasma reactor using five different Co-based catalysts supported on Al2O3, namely Co/Al2O3, CoCe/Al2O3, CoLa/Al2O3, CoCeLa/Al2O3 and CoCeMg/Al2O3. The catalysts were characterized via several techniques, including SEM-EDX, and their performance was compared. The best performing catalyst was found to be CoLa/Al2O3, but the dif-ferences in NH3 concentration, energy consumption and production rate between the different catalysts were limited under the same conditions (i.e. feed gas, flow rate and ratio, and applied power). At the same time, the plasma properties, such as the plasma power and current profile, varied significantly depending on the catalyst. Taken together, these findings suggest that in the production of NH3 by plasma catalysis, our catalysts act as plasma modifiers, i.e., they change the discharge properties and hence the gas phase plasma chemistry. Importantly, this effect dominates over the direct catalytic effect (as e.g. in thermal catalysis) defined by the chemistry on the catalyst surface.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000987221300001 Publication Date 2023-04-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0920-5861 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.3 Times cited 3 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This research was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 810182 – SCOPE ERC Synergy project) and the Methusalem project of the University of Antwerp. We also gratefully acknowledge the NH3-TPD analysis performed by Sander Bossier. Approved Most recent IF: 5.3; 2023 IF: 4.636
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197268 Serial 8917
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Author Meng, S.; Li, S.; Sun, S.; Bogaerts, A.; Liu, Y.; Yi, Y.
Title NH3 decomposition for H2 production by thermal and plasma catalysis using bimetallic catalysts Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Chemical engineering science Abbreviated Journal Chemical Engineering Science
Volume 283 Issue Pages 119449
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma catalysis has emerged as a promising approach for driving thermodynamically unfavorable chemical

reactions. Nevertheless, comprehending the mechanisms involved remains a challenge, leading to uncertainty

about whether the optimal catalyst in plasma catalysis aligns with that in thermal catalysis. In this research, we

explore this question by studying monometallic catalysts (Fe, Co, Ni and Mo) and bimetallic catalysts (Fe-Co, Mo-

Co, Fe-Ni and Mo-Ni) in both thermal catalytic and plasma catalytic NH3 decomposition. Our findings reveal that

the Fe-Co bimetallic catalyst exhibits the highest activity in thermal catalysis, the Fe-Ni bimetallic catalyst

outperforms others in plasma catalysis, indicating a discrepancy between the optimal catalysts for the two

catalytic modes in NH3 decomposition. Comprehensive catalyst characterization, kinetic analysis, temperature

program surface reaction experiments and plasma diagnosis are employed to discuss the key factors influencing

NH3 decomposition performance.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001105312500001 Publication Date 2023-10-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0009-2509 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.7 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen, 32249 ; National Natural Science Foundation of China, 21503032 ; PetroChina Innovation Foundation, 2018D-5007-0501 ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.7; 2024 IF: 2.895
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:201009 Serial 8967
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Author Slaets, J.; Loenders, B.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma-based dry reforming of CH4: Plasma effects vs. thermal conversion Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Fuel Abbreviated Journal Fuel
Volume 360 Issue Pages 130650
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract In this work we evaluate the chemical kinetics of dry reforming of methane in warm plasmas (1000–4000 K) using modelling with a newly developed chemistry set, for a broad range of parameters (temperature, power density and CO2/CH4 ratio). We compare the model against thermodynamic equilibrium concentrations, serving as validation of the thermal chemical kinetics. Our model reveals that plasma-specific reactions (i.e., electron impact collisions) accelerate the kinetics compared to thermal conversion, rather than altering the overall kinetics pathways and intermediate products, for gas temperatures below 2000 K. For higher temperatures, the kinetics are dominated by heavy species collisions and are strictly thermal, with negligible influence of the electrons and ions on the overall kinetics. When studying the effects of different gas mixtures on the kinetics, we identify important intermediate species, side reactions and side products. The use of excess CO2 leads to H2O formation, at the expense of H2 formation, and the CO2 conversion itself is limited, only approaching full conversion near 4000 K. In contrast, full conversion of both reactants is only kinetically limited for mixtures with excess CH4, which also gives rise to the formation of C2H2, alongside syngas. Within the given parameter space, our model predicts the 30/70 ratio of CO2/CH4 to be the most optimal for syngas formation with a H2/CO ratio of 2.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001138077700001 Publication Date 2023-12-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0016-2361 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes This research was supported by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 810182 – SCOPE ERC Synergy project), the Catalisti-ICON project BluePlasma (Project No. HBC.2022.0445), the FWO-SBO project PlasMaCatDESIGN (FWO Grant ID S001619N), the Independent Research Fund Denmark (Project No. 0217-00231B) and through long-term structural funding (Methusalem). The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the HPC core facility CalcUA of the Universiteit Antwerpen, and VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Government. We also thank Bart Wanten, Roel Michiels, Pepijn Heirman, Claudia Verheyen, dr. Senne Van Alphen, dr. Elise Vervloessem, dr. Kevin van ’t Veer, dr. Joshua Boothroyd, dr. Omar Biondo and dr. Eduardo Morais for their expertise and feedback regarding the kinetics scheme. Approved Most recent IF: 7.4; 2024 IF: 4.601
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:201669 Serial 8973
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Author Grünewald, L.; Chezganov, D.; De Meyer, R.; Orekhov, A.; Van Aert, S.; Bogaerts, A.; Bals, S.; Verbeeck, J.
Title In Situ Plasma Studies Using a Direct Current Microplasma in a Scanning Electron Microscope Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Advanced Materials Technologies Abbreviated Journal Adv Materials Technologies
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Microplasmas can be used for a wide range of technological applications and to improve the understanding of fundamental physics. Scanning electron microscopy, on the other hand, provides insights into the sample morphology and chemistry of materials from the mm‐ down to the nm‐scale. Combining both would provide direct insight into plasma‐sample interactions in real‐time and at high spatial resolution. Up till now, very few attempts in this direction have been made, and significant challenges remain. This work presents a stable direct current glow discharge microplasma setup built inside a scanning electron microscope. The experimental setup is capable of real‐time in situ imaging of the sample evolution during plasma operation and it demonstrates localized sputtering and sample oxidation. Further, the experimental parameters such as varying gas mixtures, electrode polarity, and field strength are explored and experimental<italic>V</italic>–<italic>I</italic>curves under various conditions are provided. These results demonstrate the capabilities of this setup in potential investigations of plasma physics, plasma‐surface interactions, and materials science and its practical applications. The presented setup shows the potential to have several technological applications, for example, to locally modify the sample surface (e.g., local oxidation and ion implantation for nanotechnology applications) on the µm‐scale.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001168639900001 Publication Date 2024-02-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2365-709X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 6.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes L.G., S.B., and J.V. acknowledge support from the iBOF-21-085 PERsist research fund. D.C., S.V.A., and J.V. acknowledge funding from a TOPBOF project of the University of Antwerp (FFB 170366). R.D.M., A.B., and J.V. acknowledge funding from the Methusalem project of the University of Antwerp (FFB 15001A, FFB 15001C). A.O. and J.V. acknowledge funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) project SBO S000121N. Approved Most recent IF: 6.8; 2024 IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:204363 Serial 8995
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Author Zaryouh, H.; Verswyvel, H.; Bauwens, M.; Van Haesendonck, G.; Deben, C.; Lin, A.; De Waele, J.; Vermorken, J.B.; Koljenovic, S.; Bogaerts, A.; Lardon, F.; Smits, E.; Wouters, A.
Title De belofte van hoofdhalskankerorganoïden in kankeronderzoek : een blik op de toekomst Type A2 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Onco-hemato : multidisciplinair tijdschrift voor oncologie Abbreviated Journal
Volume 17 Issue 7 Pages 54-58
Keywords A2 Journal article; Center for Oncological Research (CORE); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Hoofd-halskanker vormt een aanzienlijke uitdaging met bijna 900.000 nieuwe diagnoses per jaar, waarbij de jaarlijkse incidentie blijft stijgen. Vaak wordt de diagnose pas in een laat stadium gesteld, wat complexe behandelingen noodzakelijk maakt. Terugval van patiënten is helaas een veelvoorkomend probleem. De gemiddelde overlevingsduur is beperkt tot enkele maanden. Daarom is er een dringende behoefte om nieuwe, veelbelovende behandelingen te ontwikkelen voor patiënten met hoofd-halskanker. Voor het bereiken van deze vooruitgang spelen innovatieve studiemodellen een cruciale rol. Het ontwikkelen van deze nieuwe behandelingen start met laboratoriumonderzoek, waarbij traditionele tweedimensionale celculturen hun beperkingen hebben. Daarom verschuiven onderzoekers hun aandacht meer en meer naar geavanceerdere driedimensionale modellen, met hoofd-halskankerorganoïden als beloftevol nieuw model. Dit model behoudt immers zowel het genetische profiel als de morfologische kenmerken van de originele tumor van de hoofd-halskankerpatiënt. Hoofdhalskankerorganoïden bieden daarom de mogelijkheid om innovatieve behandelingen te testen en kunnen mogelijk zelfs de respons van een patiënt op bepaalde therapieën voorspellen. Hoewel tumororganoïden als ‘patiënt-in-het-lab’ veelbelovend zijn, zijn er uitdagingen te overwinnen, zoals de ontwikkelingstijd en de toepasbaarheid bij alle tumortypes, evenals het ontbreken van immuuncellen en andere micro-omgevingscomponenten. Er is daarom een grote behoefte aan gestandaardiseerde protocollen voor de ontwikkeling van organoïden en verkorting van de ontwikkelingstijd. Concluderend bieden driedimensionale hoofd-halskankerorganoïden een veelbelovend perspectief voor de toekomst van kankerbehandelingen. Ze hebben het potentieel om bij te dragen aan de ontwikkeling van gepersonaliseerde behandelingen en zo de overlevingskansen van kankerpatiënten te verbeteren. Het is echter belangrijk om hun voorspellend vermogen en toepassingsmogelijkheden verder te onderzoeken, voordat ze op grote schaal worden geïmplementeerd.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2030-2738 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:202271 Serial 9004
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Author Kovács, A.; Janssens, N.; Mielants, M.; Cornet, I.; Neyts, E.C.; Billen, P.
Title Biocatalyzed vinyl laurate transesterification in natural deep eutectic solvents Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Waste and biomass valorization Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-12
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)
Abstract Purpose Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) represent a green alternative to conventional organic solvents as reaction medium, offering more benign properties. To efficiently design NADES for biocatalysis, a better understanding of their effect on these reactions is needed. We hypothesize that this effect can be described by separately considering (1) the solvent interactions with the substrates, (2) the solvent viscosities and (3) the enzyme stability in NADES. Methods We investigated the effect of substrate solvation and viscosity on the reaction rate; and the stability of the enzyme in NADES. To this end, we monitored the conversion over time of the transesterification of vinyl laurate with 1- butanol by the lipase enzyme Candida antarctica B in NADES of different compounds and molar ratios. Results The initial reaction rate is higher in most NADES ( varying between 1.14 and 15.07 mu mol min(-1) mg(-1)) than in the reference n-hexane (4.0 mu mol min(-1) mg(-1))), but no clear relationship between viscosity and initial reaction rate was found. The increased reaction rate is most likely related to the solvation of the substrate due to a change in the activation energy of the reaction or a change in the conformation of the substrate. The enzyme retained part of its activity after the first 2 h of reaction (on average 20 % of the substrate reacted in the 2-24 h period). Enzyme incubation in ethylene glycol-based NADES resulted in a reduced reaction rate ( 15.07 vs. 3.34 mu mol min(-1) mg(-1)), but this may also be due to slow dissolution of the substrate. Conclusions The effect of viscosity seems to be marginal next to the effect of solvation and possible enzyme-NADES interaction. The enzyme retains some of its activity during the 24-hour measurements, but the enzyme incubation experiments did not yield accurate, comparable values. [GRAPHICS] .
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001117290800003 Publication Date 2023-12-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1877-2641; 1877-265x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.2 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.2; 2023 IF: 1.337
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:202709 Serial 9005
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Author Khalilov, U.; Uljayev, U.; Mehmonov, K.; Nematollahi, P.; Yusupov, M.; Neyts, E.C.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Can endohedral transition metals enhance hydrogen storage in carbon nanotubes? Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication International journal of hydrogen energy Abbreviated Journal
Volume 55 Issue Pages 640-610
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Modelling and Simulation in Chemistry (MOSAIC); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The safe and efficient use of hydrogen energy, which is in high demand worldwide today, requires efficient hydrogen storage. Despite significant advances in hydrogen storage using carbon-based nanomaterials, including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), efforts to substantially increase the storage capacity remain less effective. In this work, we demonstrate the effect of endohedral transition metal atoms on the hydrogen storage capacity of CNTs using reactive molecular dynamics simulations. We find that an increase in the volume fraction of endohedral nickel atoms leads to an increase in the concentration of physisorbed hydrogen molecules around single-walled CNTs (SWNTs) by approximately 1.6 times compared to pure SWNTs. The obtained results provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of how endohedral transition metal atoms enhance the hydrogen storage ability of SWNTs under nearly ambient conditions.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001142427400001 Publication Date 2023-11-24
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0360-3199 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7.2 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.2; 2024 IF: 3.582
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:202315 Serial 9006
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Author Grubova, I.Y.; Surmenev, R.A.; Neyts, E.C.; Koptyug, A.V.; Volkova, A.P.; Surmeneva, M.A.
Title Combined first-principles and experimental study on the microstructure and mechanical characteristics of the multicomponent additive-manufactured Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta alloy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Omega Abbreviated Journal
Volume 8 Issue 30 Pages 27519-27533
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract New & beta;-stabilizedTi-based alloys are highly promising forbone implants, thanks in part to their low elasticity. The natureof this elasticity, however, is as yet unknown. We here present combinedfirst-principles DFT calculations and experiments on the microstructure,structural stability, mechanical characteristics, and electronic structureto elucidate this origin. Our results suggest that the studied & beta;Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta wt % (TNZT) alloy manufacturedby the electron-beam powder bed fusion (E-PBF) method has homogeneousmechanical properties (H = 2.01 & PLUSMN; 0.22 GPa and E = 69.48 & PLUSMN; 0.03 GPa) along the building direction,which is dictated by the crystallographic texture and microstructuremorphologies. The analysis of the structural and electronic properties,as the main factors dominating the chemical bonding mechanism, indicatesthat TNZT has a mixture of strong metallic and weak covalent bonding.Our calculations demonstrate that the softening in the Cauchy pressure(C & PRIME; = 98.00 GPa) and elastic constant C ̅ ( 44 ) = 23.84 GPa is the originof the low elasticity of TNZT. Moreover, the nature of this softeningphenomenon can be related to the weakness of the second and thirdneighbor bonds in comparison with the first neighbor bonds in theTNZT. Thus, the obtained results indicate that a carefully designedTNZT alloy can be an excellent candidate for the manufacturing oforthopedic internal fixation devices. In addition, the current findingscan be used as guidance not only for predicting the mechanical propertiesbut also the nature of elastic characteristics of the newly developedalloys with yet unknown properties.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001031269000001 Publication Date 2023-07-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2470-1343 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.1 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.1; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198313 Serial 9011
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Author Cassimon, J.; Kovács, A.; Neyts, E.; Cornet, I.; Billen, P.
Title Deacetylation of mannosylerythritol lipids in hydrophobic natural deep eutectic solvents Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication European journal of organic chemistry Abbreviated Journal
Volume 27 Issue 5 Pages e202300934-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)
Abstract Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are a promising group of biosurfactants due to their high fermentation yield, selfassembly and biological activity. During fermentation by Pseudozyma aphidis, a mixture of MELs with different levels of acylation is formed, of which the fully deacetylated form is the most valuable. In order to reduce the environmental impact of deacetylation, an enzymatic process using natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) has been developed. We tested the deacetylation of a purified MELs mixture with immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B enzyme and 2-ethylhexanol as co-substrate in 140 h reactions with different NADES. We identified hydrophobic NADES systems with similar yields and kinetics as in pure 2-ethylhexanol solvent. Our results indicate that deacetylation of MELs mixtures in NADES as a solvent is possible with yields comparable to pure co-substrate and that hydrophobic NADES without carboxylic acid compounds facilitate the reaction to the greatest extent.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2023-12-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1434-193x; 1099-0690 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor 2.8 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.8; 2023 IF: 2.834
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:201382 Serial 9017
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Author Matnazarova, S.; Khalilov, U.; Yusupov, M.
Title Effect of endohedral nickel atoms on the hydrophilicity of carbon nanotubes Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Molecular simulation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 49 Issue 17 Pages 1575-1581
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been successfully used in biomedicine, including cancer therapy, due to their unique physico-chemical properties. Because pristine CNTs exhibit hydrophobic behaviour, they can have a cytotoxic effect on cells, which limits their practical use in biomedicine. The toxicity of CNTs can be reduced by adding water-soluble functional radicals to their surface, i.e. by increasing their hydrophilicity. Another possibility for increasing the hydrophilicity of CNTs is probably filling them with endohedral metal atoms, which has not yet been studied. Thus, in this study, we use computer simulations to investigate the combined effect of endohedral nickel atoms and functional groups on the hydrophilicity of CNTs. Our simulation results show that the introduction of endohedral nickel atoms into CNTs increases their binding energy with functional groups. We also find that the addition of functional groups to the surface of CNT, along with filling it with endohedral nickel atoms, leads to an increase in the dipole moment of the CNT as well as its interaction energy with water, thereby increasing the hydrophilicity of the CNT and, consequently, its solubility in water. This, in turn, can lead to a decrease in CNT toxicity.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001059544800001 Publication Date 2023-09-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0892-7022 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 2.1 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.1; 2023 IF: 1.254
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199261 Serial 9027
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Author Oliveira, M.C.; Cordeiro, R.M.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Effect of lipid oxidation on the channel properties of Cx26 hemichannels : a molecular dynamics study Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Archives of biochemistry and biophysics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 746 Issue Pages 109741-12
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Intercellular communication plays a crucial role in cancer, as well as other diseases, such as inflammation, tissue degeneration, and neurological disorders. One of the proteins responsible for this, are connexins (Cxs), which come together to form a hemichannel. When two hemichannels of opposite cells interact with each other, they form a gap junction (GJ) channel, connecting the intracellular space of these cells. They allow the passage of ions, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), and signaling molecules from the interior of one cell to another cell, thus playing an essential role in cell growth, differentiation, and homeostasis. The importance of GJs for disease induction and therapy development is becoming more appreciated, especially in the context of oncology. Studies have shown that one of the mechanisms to control the formation and disruption of GJs is mediated by lipid oxidation pathways, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we performed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate how lipid oxidation influences the channel properties of Cx26 hemichannels, such as channel gating and permeability. Our results demonstrate that the Cx26 hemichannel is more compact in the presence of oxidized lipids, decreasing its pore diameter at the extracellular side and increasing it at the amino terminus domains, respectively. The permeability of the Cx26 hemichannel for water and RONS molecules is higher in the presence of oxidized lipids. The latter may facilitate the intracellular accumulation of RONS, possibly increasing oxidative stress in cells. A better understanding of this process will help to enhance the efficacy of oxidative stress-based cancer treatments.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001079100300001 Publication Date 2023-09-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-9861; 1096-0384 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.9; 2023 IF: 3.165
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:200282 Serial 9028
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Author Rezaei, M.; Ghasemitarei, M.; Razzokov, J.; Yusupov, M.; Ghorbanalilu, M.; Ejtehadi, M.R.
Title In silico study of the impact of oxidation on pyruvate transmission across the hVDAC1 protein channel Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Archives of biochemistry and biophysics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 751 Issue Pages 109835-109837
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The overexpression of voltage dependent anion channels (VDACs), particularly VDAC1, in cancer cells compared to normal cells, plays a crucial role in cancer cell metabolism, apoptosis regulation, and energy homeostasis. In this study, we used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the effect of a low level of VDAC1 oxidation (induced e.g., by cold atmospheric plasma (CAP)) on the pyruvate (Pyr) uptake by VDAC1. Inhibiting Pyr uptake through VDAC1 can suppress cancer cell proliferation. Our primary target was to study the translocation of Pyr across the native and oxidized forms of hVDAC1, the human VDAC1. Specifically, we employed MD simulations to analyze the hVDAC1 structure by modifying certain cysteine residues to cysteic acids and methionine residues to methionine sulfoxides, which allowed us to investigate the effect of oxidation. Our results showed that the free energy barrier for Pyr translocation through the native and oxidized channel was approximately 4.3 +/- 0.7 kJ mol-1 and 10.8 +/- 1.8 kJ mol-1, respectively. An increase in barrier results in a decrease in rate of Pyr permeation through the oxidized channel. Thus, our results indicate that low levels of CAP oxidation reduce Pyr translocation, resulting in decreased cancer cell proliferation. Therefore, low levels of oxidation are likely sufficient to treat cancer cells given the inhibition of Pyr uptake.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001127850500001 Publication Date 2023-11-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-9861; 1096-0384 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.9; 2024 IF: 3.165
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:202185 Serial 9046
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Author Smith, G.J.; Diomede, P.; Gibson, A.R.; Doyle, S.J.; Guerra, V.; Kushner, M.J.; Gans, T.; Dedrick, J.P.
Title Low-pressure inductively coupled plasmas in hydrogen : impact of gas heating on the spatial distribution of atomic hydrogen and vibrationally excited states Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Plasma sources science and technology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 33 Issue 2 Pages 025002-25020
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Non-equilibrium inductively coupled plasmas (ICPs) operating in hydrogen are of significant interest for applications including large-area materials processing. Increasing control of spatial gas heating, which drives the formation of neutral species density gradients and the rate of gas-temperature-dependent reactions, is critical. In this study, we use 2D fluid-kinetic simulations with the Hybrid Plasma Equipment Model to investigate the spatially resolved production of atomic hydrogen in a low-pressure planar ICP operating in pure hydrogen (10-20 Pa or 0.075-0.15 Torr, 300 W). The reaction set incorporates self-consistent calculation of the spatially resolved gas temperature and 14 vibrationally excited states. We find that the formation of neutral-gas density gradients, which result from spatially non-uniform electrical power deposition at constant pressure, can drive significant variations in the vibrational distribution function and density of atomic hydrogen when gas heating is spatially resolved. This highlights the significance of spatial gas heating on the production of reactive species in relatively high-power-density plasma processing sources.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001154851700001 Publication Date 2024-01-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0963-0252 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.8 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.8; 2024 IF: 3.302
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:203866 Serial 9054
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Author Salden, A.; Budde, M.; Garcia-Soto, C.A.; Biondo, O.; Barauna, J.; Faedda, M.; Musig, B.; Fromentin, C.; Nguyen-Quang, M.; Philpott, H.; Hasrack, G.; Aceto, D.; Cai, Y.; Jury, F.A.; Bogaerts, A.; Da Costa, P.; Engeln, R.; Galvez, M.E.; Gans, T.; Garcia, T.; Guerra, V.; Henriques, C.; Motak, M.; Navarro, M.V.; Parvulescu, V.I.; Van Rooij, G.; Samojeden, B.; Sobota, A.; Tosi, P.; Tu, X.; Guaitella, O.
Title Meta-analysis of CO₂ conversion, energy efficiency, and other performance data of plasma-catalysis reactors with the open access PIONEER database Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of energy chemistry Abbreviated Journal
Volume 86 Issue Pages 318-342
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract This paper brings the comparison of performances of CO2 conversion by plasma and plasma-assisted catalysis based on the data collected from literature in this field, organised in an open access online data-base. This tool is open to all users to carry out their own analyses, but also to contributors who wish to add their data to the database in order to improve the relevance of the comparisons made, and ultimately to improve the efficiency of CO2 conversion by plasma-catalysis. The creation of this database and data-base user interface is motivated by the fact that plasma-catalysis is a fast-growing field for all CO2 con-version processes, be it methanation, dry reforming of methane, methanolisation, or others. As a result of this rapid increase, there is a need for a set of standard procedures to rigorously compare performances of different systems. However, this is currently not possible because the fundamental mechanisms of plasma-catalysis are still too poorly understood to define these standard procedures. Fortunately how-ever, the accumulated data within the CO2 plasma-catalysis community has become large enough to war-rant so-called “big data” studies more familiar in the fields of medicine and the social sciences. To enable comparisons between multiple data sets and make future research more effective, this work proposes the first database on CO2 conversion performances by plasma-catalysis open to the whole community. This database has been initiated in the framework of a H2020 European project and is called the “PIONEER DataBase”. The database gathers a large amount of CO2 conversion performance data such as conversion rate, energy efficiency, and selectivity for numerous plasma sources coupled with or without a catalyst. Each data set is associated with metadata describing the gas mixture, the plasma source, the nature of the catalyst, and the form of coupling with the plasma. Beyond the database itself, a data extraction tool with direct visualisation features or advanced filtering functionalities has been developed and is available online to the public. The simple and fast visualisation of the state of the art puts new results into context, identifies literal gaps in data, and consequently points towards promising research routes. More advanced data extraction illustrates the impact that the database can have in the understanding of plasma-catalyst coupling. Lessons learned from the review of a large amount of literature during the setup of the database lead to best practice advice to increase comparability between future CO2 plasma-catalytic studies. Finally, the community is strongly encouraged to contribute to the database not only to increase the visibility of their data but also the relevance of the comparisons allowed by this tool. (c) 2023 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by ELSEVIER B.V. and Science Press. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creati- vecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001083545900001 Publication Date 2023-08-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2095-4956 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 13.1 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 13.1; 2023 IF: 2.594
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:200416 Serial 9056
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Author Xu, W.
Title Plasma-catalytic DRM : study of LDH derived catalyst for DRM in a GAP plasma system Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 350 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma is considered one of the promising technologies to solve greenhouse gas problems, as it can activate CO2 and CH4 at relatively low temperatures. Among the various types of plasmas, the gliding arc plasmatron (GAP) is promising, as it has a high level of non-equilibrium and high electron density. Nevertheless, the conversion of CO2 and CH4 in the GAP reactor is limited. Therefore, combining the GAP reactor with catalysts and making use of the heat produced by the plasma to provide thermal energy to the catalyst, forming a post-plasma catalytic (PPC) system, is hypothesized to improve its performance. Therefore, in this PhD research, we investigate important aspects of the PPC concept towards the use of the heat produced by GAP plasma to heat the plasma bed, without additional energy input. Aiming at this, based on a literature study (chapter 1), Ni-loaded layered double hydroxide (LDH) derived catalyst with good thermal catalytic DRM performance were chosen as the catalyst material. Before applying the LDH as a support material, the rehydration property of calcined LDH in moist and liquid environment was studied as part of chapter 2. The data indicated that after high temperatures calcination (600-900 C), the obtained layered double oxides (LDOs) can rehydrate into LDH, although, the rehydrated LDH were different from the original LDH. In chapter 3, different operating conditions, such as gas flow rate, gas compositions (e.g. CH4/CO2 ratio and nitrogen dilution), and addition of H2O were studied to investigate optimal conditions for PPC DRM, identifying possible differences in temperature profiles and exhaust gas compositions that might influence the catalytic performance. Subsequently, the impact of different PPC configurations, making use of the heat and exhaust gas composition produced by the GAP plasma, is shown in Chapter 4. Experiments studying the impact of adjusting the catalyst bed distance to the post-plasma, the catalyst amount, the influence of external heating (below 250 C) and the addition of H2O are discussed. As only limited improvement in the performance was achieved, a new type of catalyst bed was designed and utilized, as described in chapter 5. This improved configuration can realize better heat and mass transfer by directly connecting to the GAP device. The performance was improved and became comparable to the traditional thermal catalytic DRM results obtained at 800 C, although obtained by a fully electrically driven plasma.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title (down)
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:201534 Serial 9074
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