“Gas permeation through graphdiyne-based nanoporous membranes”. Zhou Z, Tan Y, Yang Q, Bera A, Xiong Z, Yagmurcukardes M, Kim M, Zou Y, Wang G, Mishchenko A, Timokhin I, Wang C, Wang H, Yang C, Lu Y, Boya R, Liao H, Haigh S, Liu H, Peeters FM, Li Y, Geim AK, Hu S, Nature communications 13, 4031 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1038/S41467-022-31779-2
Abstract: Nanoporous membranes based on two dimensional materials are predicted to provide highly selective gas transport in combination with extreme permeance. Here we investigate membranes made from multilayer graphdiyne, a graphene-like crystal with a larger unit cell. Despite being nearly a hundred of nanometers thick, the membranes allow fast, Knudsen-type permeation of light gases such as helium and hydrogen whereas heavy noble gases like xenon exhibit strongly suppressed flows. Using isotope and cryogenic temperature measurements, the seemingly conflicting characteristics are explained by a high density of straight-through holes (direct porosity of similar to 0.1%), in which heavy atoms are adsorbed on the walls, partially blocking Knudsen flows. Our work offers important insights into intricate transport mechanisms playing a role at nanoscale.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 16.6
Times cited: 21
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-022-31779-2
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“Identification of nano-width variants in a fully monoclinic martensitic Ni50Ti50 alloy by scanning electron microscope-based transmission Kikuchi diffraction and improved groupoid structure approach”. Zhao ZX, Ma X, Cao S, Li YY, Zeng CY, Wang DX, Yao X, Deng ZJ, Zhang XP, Materials Letters 281, 128624 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATLET.2020.128624
Abstract: Nano-width martensite plates in a fully martensitic Ni50Ti50 alloy are indexed successfully by using the off-axis transmission Kikuchi diffraction in scanning electron microscope (i.e., SEM-based TKD). The data obtained by SEM-TKD are effectively interpreted using an improved approach based on the framework of the theoretical groupoid structure method, where the equivalent variants transformed from the monoclinic variants are introduced to calculate all theoretical axis/angle pairs of rotation, and to formulate a complete list of source martensite to target martensite pairs. Consequently, B19' monoclinic martensite variants in NiTi alloys are identified unambiguously, by using numerical comparison between the experimental and theoretical rotation components, without the reference of retained parent phase. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3
DOI: 10.1016/J.MATLET.2020.128624
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“Insight into the growth of multiple branched MnOOH nanorods”. Li Y, Tan H, Lebedev O, Verbeeck J, Biermans E, Van Tendeloo G, Su B-L, Crystal growth &, design 10, 2969 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1021/cg100009k
Abstract: Multiple branched manganese oxide hydroxide (MnOOH) nanorods prepared by a hydrothermal process were extensively studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A model of the branch formation is proposed together with a study of the interface structure. The sword-like tip plays a crucial role for the nanorods to form different shapes. Importantly, the branching occurs at an angle of around either 57 degrees or 123 degrees. Specifically, a (111) twin plane can only be formed at the interface with a 123 degrees angle. The interfaces formed with a 57 degrees angle usually contain edge dislocations. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) demonstrates that the whole crystal has a uniform chemical composition. Interestingly, an epitaxial growth of Mn3O4 at the radial surface was also observed under electron beam irradiation; this is because of the rough purification of the products. The proposed mechanism is expected to shed light on the branched/dendrite nanostructure growth and to provide opportunities for further novel nanomaterial structure growth and design.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.055
Times cited: 41
DOI: 10.1021/cg100009k
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“State of the art and prospects for Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals”. Dey A, Ye J, De A, Debroye E, Ha SK, Bladt E, Kshirsagar AS, Wang Z, Yin J, Wang Y, Quan LN, Yan F, Gao M, Li X, Shamsi J, Debnath T, Cao M, Scheel MA, Kumar S, Steele JA, Gerhard M, Chouhan L, Xu K, Wu X-gang, Li Y, Zhang Y, Dutta A, Han C, Vincon I, Rogach AL, Nag A, Samanta A, Korgel BA, Shih C-J, Gamelin DR, Son DH, Zeng H, Zhong H, Sun H, Demir HV, Scheblykin IG, Mora-Sero I, Stolarczyk JK, Zhang JZ, Feldmann J, Hofkens J, Luther JM, Perez-Prieto J, Li L, Manna L, Bodnarchuk M I, Kovalenko M V, Roeffaers MBJ, Pradhan N, Mohammed OF, Bakr OM, Yang P, Muller-Buschbaum P, Kamat P V, Bao Q, Zhang Q, Krahne R, Galian RE, Stranks SD, Bals S, Biju V, Tisdale WA, Yan Y, Hoye RLZ, Polavarapu L, Acs Nano 15, 10775 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSNANO.0C08903
Abstract: Metal-halide perovskites have rapidly emerged as one of the most promising materials of the 21st century, with many exciting properties and great potential for a broad range of applications, from photovoltaics to optoelectronics and photocatalysis. The ease with which metal-halide perovskites can be synthesized in the form of brightly luminescent colloidal nanocrystals, as well as their tunable and intriguing optical and electronic properties, has attracted researchers from different disciplines of science and technology. In the last few years, there has been a significant progress in the shape-controlled synthesis of perovskite nanocrystals and understanding of their properties and applications. In this comprehensive review, researchers having expertise in different fields (chemistry, physics, and device engineering) of metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals have joined together to provide a state of the art overview and future prospects of metal-halide perovskite nanocrystal research.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 13.942
Times cited: 538
DOI: 10.1021/ACSNANO.0C08903
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“Evidence that supertriangles exist in nature from the vertical projections of Koelreuteria paniculata fruit”. Li Y, Quinn BK, Gielis J, Li Y, Shi P, Symmetry 14, 23 (2022). http://doi.org/10.3390/SYM14010023
Abstract: Many natural radial symmetrical shapes (e.g., sea stars) follow the Gielis equation (GE) or its twin equation (TGE). A supertriangle (three triangles arranged around a central polygon) represents such a shape, but no study has tested whether natural shapes can be represented as/are supertriangles or whether the GE or TGE can describe their shape. We collected 100 pieces of Koelreuteria paniculata fruit, which have a supertriangular shape, extracted the boundary coordinates for their vertical projections, and then fitted them with the GE and TGE. The adjusted root mean square errors (RMSEadj) of the two equations were always less than 0.08, and >70% were less than 0.05. For 57/100 fruit projections, the GE had a lower RMSEadj than the TGE, although overall differences in the goodness of fit were non-significant. However, the TGE produces more symmetrical shapes than the GE as the two parameters controlling the extent of symmetry in it are approximately equal. This work demonstrates that natural supertriangles exist, validates the use of the GE and TGE to model their shapes, and suggests that different complex radially symmetrical shapes can be generated by the same equation, implying that different types of biological symmetry may result from the same biophysical mechanisms.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 2.7
DOI: 10.3390/SYM14010023
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“A superellipse with deformation and its application in describing the cross-sectional shapes of a square bamboo”. Huang W, Li Y, Niklas KJ, Gielis J, Ding Y, Cao L, Shi P, Symmetry-Basel 12, 2073 (2020). http://doi.org/10.3390/SYM12122073
Abstract: Many cross-sectional shapes of plants have been found to approximate a superellipse rather than an ellipse. Square bamboos, belonging to the genus Chimonobambusa (Poaceae), are a group of plants with round-edged square-like culm cross sections. The initial application of superellipses to model these culm cross sections has focused on Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Franceschi) Makino. However, there is a need for large scale empirical data to confirm this hypothesis. In this study, approximately 750 cross sections from 30 culms of C. utilis were scanned to obtain cross-sectional boundary coordinates. A superellipse exhibits a centrosymmetry, but in nature the cross sections of culms usually deviate from a standard circle, ellipse, or superellipse because of the influences of the environment and terrain, resulting in different bending and torsion forces during growth. Thus, more natural cross-sectional shapes appear to have the form of a deformed superellipse. The superellipse equation with a deformation parameter (SEDP) was used to fit boundary data. We find that the cross-sectional shapes (including outer and inner rings) of C. utilis can be well described by SEDP. The adjusted root-mean-square error of SEDP is smaller than that of the superellipse equation without a deformation parameter. A major finding is that the cross-sectional shapes can be divided into two types of superellipse curves: hyperellipses and hypoellipses, even for cross sections from the same culm. There are two proportional relationships between ring area and the product of ring length and width for both the outer and inner rings. The proportionality coefficients are significantly different, as a consequence of the two different superellipse types (i.e., hyperellipses and hypoellipses). The difference in the proportionality coefficients between hyperellipses and hypoellipses for outer rings is greater than that for inner rings. This work informs our understanding and quantifying of the longitudinal deformation of plant stems for future studies to assess the influences of the environment on stem development. This work is also informative for understanding the deviation of natural shapes from a strict rotational symmetry.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 2.7
DOI: 10.3390/SYM12122073
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“Single-cell yolk-shell nanoencapsulation for long-term viability with size-dependent permeability and molecular recognition”. Wang L, Li Y, Yang X-Y, Zhang B-B, Ninane N, Busscher HJ, Hu Z-Y, Delneuville C, Jiang N, Xie H, Van Tendeloo G, Hasan T, Su B-L, National Science Review 8 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1093/NSR/NWAA097
Abstract: Like nanomaterials, bacteria have been unknowingly used for centuries. They hold significant economic potential for fuel and medicinal compound production. Their full exploitation, however, is impeded by low biological activity and stability in industrial reactors. Though cellular encapsulation addresses these limitations, cell survival is usually compromised due to shell-to-cell contacts and low permeability. Here, we report ordered packing of silica nanocolloids with organized, uniform and tunable nanoporosities for single cyanobacterium nanoencapsulation using protamine as an electrostatic template. A space between the capsule shell and the cell is created by controlled internalization of protamine, resulting in a highly ordered porous shell-void-cell structure formation. These unique yolk-shell nano structures provide long-term cell viability with superior photosynthetic activities and resistance in harsh environments. In addition, engineering the colloidal packing allows tunable shell-pore diameter for size-dependent permeability and introduction of new functionalities for specific molecular recognition. Our strategy could significantly enhance the activity and stability of cyanobacteria for various nanobiotechnological applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.843
DOI: 10.1093/NSR/NWAA097
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“Active site titration of immobilized beta-galactosidase for the determination of active enzymes”. Jochems P, Mueller T, Satyawali Y, Diels L, Dejonghe W, Hanefeld U, Biochemical engineering journal 93, 137 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.BEJ.2014.10.007
Abstract: In the present study, an active site titration method is demonstrated, to determine the amount of active enzyme (beta-galactosidase), immobilized on a support. Two types of supports were investigated, viz, amino acrylic resin and a mixed matrix membrane. Furthermore, 2',4'-dinitrophenyl 2-deoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-galactopyranoside was used as an inhibitor for the active site titration of immobilized beta-galactosidase obtained from Kluyveromyces lactis. Using the active site titration, approximately 8.3 mg of active enzyme was found on 1 g of dried commercially available SPRIN imibond, which is an amino acrylic resin with covalently bound beta-galactosidase obtained from K. lactis. However, this method, in its present form, was not effective on the mixed matrix membranes due to the irreversible partial adsorption of the leaving group (2',4'-dinitrophenolate) by the membrane. This observation implied that it is important to investigate interactions between the support and the used inhibitor and leaving group. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1016/J.BEJ.2014.10.007
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“Characterization and analysis of the adsorption immobilization mechanism of \beta-galactosidase on metal oxide powders”. Satyawali Y, Van Roy S, Roevens A, Meynen V, Mullens S, Jochems P, Doyen W, Cauwenberghs L, Dejonghe W, RSC advances 3, 24054 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1039/C3RA45107K
Abstract: Immobilization of the enzymes plays a vital role in enhancing their applicability in a wide range of applications, thus ensuring the use of sustainable enzymatic processes over the conventional chemical processes on an industrial scale. This study provides the background information for the selection and screening of inorganic metal oxide (MO) powders for their use as fillers in mixed matrix membranes for enzyme immobilization as the future aim. A total of 13 MOs, ranging in size from 0.01 μm to <5 μm, were tested for their performance as a support for enzyme (β-galactosidase) immobilization via adsorption. Alumina appeared to be the best performing MO with the amount and activity of the immobilized enzyme being 64 mg g−1 and up to 288 U g−1, respectively. The amount of immobilized enzyme on alumina (α-Al2O3 C and γ-Al2O3) was >3 times higher than ZrO2 (used as a reference MO in this study). Upon heat treatment at 900 °C, up to 15%, 52% and 42% decline was observed in the amount of immobilized enzyme in case of alumina metal oxides (MOs), ZrO2 and TiO2, respectively. The results suggested that both isoelectric point and surface area of the MO influence the immobilization. The most important observation in this study was that the bonding of the enzyme to the MO surface seems to be mediated by the bonding/interaction of the buffer to the enzyme.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1039/C3RA45107K
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“Enzyme immobilization on/in polymeric membranes : status, challenges and perspectives in biocatalytic membrane reactors (BMRs)”. Jochems P, Satyawali Y, Diels L, Dejonghe W, Green chemistry : cutting-edge research for a greener sustainable future 13, 1609 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1039/C1GC15178A
Abstract: Immobilization of enzymes is beneficial in terms of improving the process economics by enabling enzyme re-use and enhancing overall productivity and robustness. Increasingly, membranes are thought to be good supports for enzyme immobilization. These resulting biocatalytic membranes are integrated in reactors known as biocatalytic membrane reactors (BMRs) which enable the integration of biocatalysis and separation. Often the available commercial membranes require modifications to make them suitable for enzyme immobilization. Different immobilization techniques can be used on such suitable membranes, but no general rules exist for making a choice between them. Despite the advantages of BMR application, there are some issues which need to be addressed in order to achieve up-scaling of such systems. In this review, the different aspects of enzyme immobilization on membranes are discussed to show the complexity of this interdisciplinary technology. In addition, the existing issues which require further investigation are highlighted.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
DOI: 10.1039/C1GC15178A
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“Multimodal zeolite-beta-based catalysts with a hierarchical, three-level pore structure”. Chen L-H, Li X-Y, Tian G, Li Y, Tan H-Y, Van Tendeloo G, Zhu G-S, Qiu S-L, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Chemsuschem 4, 1452 (2011). http://doi.org/10.1002/cssc.201100181
Abstract: Hole diggers: The hierarchically structured porous solid-acid catalyst described in this report possess a remarkable pore system, encompassing well-defined macrochannels, interconnected mesopores, intracrystalline mesopores, and tunable zeolite micropores. Importantly, the catalyst exhibits very strong acidity and superior catalytic activity for esterification reactions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.226
Times cited: 33
DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201100181
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“Controlling the diameters in large-scale synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes by catalytic decomposition of CH4”. Li Y, Zhang X, Shen L, Luo J, Tao X, Liu F, Xu G, Wang Y, Geise HJ, Van Tendeloo G, Chemical physics letters 398, 276 (2004). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2004.09.068
Abstract: High-quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are synthesized in gram amount on Fe-Mo/MgO catalysts by catalytic decomposition of CH4 in H-2 or N-2. Raman data reveal that the as-prepared SATNTs have a diameter of about 0.74-1.29 nm. It is found that the diameter of the as-prepared SWNTs can be controlled mainly by adjusting the molar ratio of Fe-Mo versus the MgO support. Several other factors that potentially influence the growth of SWNTs have been studied in detail. The experimental results show that the nature of the catalyst determines the diameter of the as-prepared SWNTs. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.815
Times cited: 45
DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2004.09.068
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“Influence of neutron irradiation on X-ray diffraction, Raman spectrum and photoluminescence from pyrolytic and hot-pressed hexagonal boron nitride”. Zhou S, Xu W, Xiao Y, Xiao H, Zhang J, Wang Z, He G, Liu J, Li Y, Peeters FM, Journal of luminescence 263, 120118 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JLUMIN.2023.120118
Abstract: Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is considered as an ideal semiconductor material for solid-state neutron detector, owing to its large neutron scattering section because of the low atomic number of B and excellent physical properties. Here we study the influence of neutron irradiation on crystal structure and on intermediate energy state (IMES) levels induced by the presence of impurities and defects in hBN. Large-size and thick pyrolytic and hot-pressed hBN (PBN and HBN) samples, which can be directly applied for neutron detector devices, are prepared and bombarded by neutrons with different irradiation fluences. The SEM and TEM are used to observe the sample difference of PBN and HBN. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy are applied to examine the influence of neutron irradiation on lattice structures along different crystal directions of PBN and HBN samples. Photoluminescence (PL) is employed to study the effect of neutron irradiation on IMESs in these samples. We find that the neutron irradiation does not alter the in-plane lattice structures of both PBN and HBN samples, but it can release the inter-layer tensions induced by sample growth of the PBN samples. Interestingly and surprisingly, the neutron irradiation does not affect the IMES levels responsible for PL generation, where PL is attributed mainly from phonon-assisted radiative electron-hole coupling for both PBN and HBN samples. Furthermore, the results indicate that the neutron irradiation can weaken the effective carrier-phonon coupling and exciton transitions in PBN and HBN samples. Overall, both PBN and HBN samples show some degree of the resistance to neutron irradiation in terms of these basic physical properties. The interesting and important findings from this work can help us to gain an in-depth understanding of the influence of neutron irradiation on basic physical properties of hBN materials. These effects can be taken into account when designing and applying the hBN materials for neutron detectors.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.6
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1016/J.JLUMIN.2023.120118
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“Size effect of bifunctional gold in hierarchical titanium oxide-gold-cadmium sulfide with slow photon effect for unprecedented visible-light hydrogen production”. Zhao H, Li C-F, Hu Z-Y, Liu J, Li Y, Hu J, Van Tendeloo G, Chen L-H, Su B-L, Journal Of Colloid And Interface Science 604, 131 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.JCIS.2021.06.167
Abstract: Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) effect and excellent internal electron transfer ability have widely been combined with semiconductors for photocatalysis. However, the in-depth effects of Au NPs in multicomponent photocatalysts have not been completely understood. Herein, ternary titanium oxide-gold-cadmium sulfide (TiO2-Au-CdS, TAC) photocatalysts, based on hierarchical TiO2 inverse opal photonic crystal structure with different Au NPs sizes have been designed to reveal the SPR effect and internal electron transfer of Au NPs in the presence of slow photon effect. It appears that the SPR effect and internal electron transfer ability of Au NPs, depending on their sizes, play a synergistic effect on the photocatalytic enhancement. The ternary TAC-10 photocatalyst with – 10 nm Au NPs demonstrates an unprecedented hydrogen evolution rate of 47.6 mmolh-1g 1 under visible-light, demonstrating- 48% enhancement comparing to the sample without slow photon effect. In particular, a 9.83% apparent quantum yield under 450 nm monochromatic light is achieved for TAC-10. A model is proposed and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations reveal the size influence of Au NPs in ternary TAC photocatalysts. This work suggests that the rational design of bifunctional Au NPs coupling with slow photon effect could largely promote hydrogen production from visible-light driven water splitting. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.233
DOI: 10.1016/J.JCIS.2021.06.167
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“Bioinspired noncyclic transfer pathway electron donors for unprecedented hydrogen production”. Liu J, Wang C, Yu W, Zhao H, Hu Z-Y, Liu F, Hasan T, Li Y, Van Tendeloo G, Li C, Su B-L, CCS chemistry 5, 1470 (2023). http://doi.org/10.31635/CCSCHEM.022.202202071
Abstract: Electron donors are widely exploited in visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production. As a typical electron donor pair and often the first choice for hydrogen production, the sodium sulfide-sodium sulfite pair has been extensively used. However, the resultant thiosulfate ions consume the photogenerated electrons to form an undesirable pseudocyclic electron transfer pathway during the photocatalytic process, strongly limiting the solar energy conversion efficiency. Here, we report novel and bioinspired electron donor pairs offering a noncyclic electron transfer pathway that provides more electrons without the consumption of the photogenerated electrons. Compared to the state-of-the-art electron donor pair Na2S-Na2SO3, these novel Na2S-NaH2PO2 and Na2S-NaNO2 electron donor pairs enable an unprecedented enhancement of up to 370% and 140% for average photocatalytic H-2 production over commercial CdS nanoparticles, and they are versatile for a large series of photocatalysts for visible-light water splitting. The discovery of these novel electron donor pairs can lead to a revolution in photocatalysis and is of great significance for industrial visible-light-driven H-2 production. [GRAPHICS] .
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.31635/CCSCHEM.022.202202071
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“Tuning the optical, magnetic, and electrical properties of ReSe2 by nanoscale strain engineering”. Yang S, Wang C, Sahin H, Chen H, Li Y, Li SS, Suslu A, Peeters FM, Liu Q, Li J, Tongay S;, Nano letters 15, 1660 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1021/nl504276u
Abstract: Creating materials with ultimate control over their physical properties is vital for a wide range of applications. From a traditional materials design perspective, this task often requires precise control over the atomic composition and structure. However, owing to their mechanical properties, low-dimensional layered materials can actually withstand a significant amount of strain and thus sustain elastic deformations before fracture. This, in return, presents a unique technique for tuning their physical properties by strain engineering. Here, we find that local strain induced on ReSe2, a new member of the transition metal dichalcogenides family, greatly changes its magnetic, optical, and electrical properties. Local strain induced by generation of wrinkle (1) modulates the optical gap as evidenced by red-shifted photoluminescence peak, (2) enhances light emission, (3) induces magnetism, and (4) modulates the electrical properties. The results not only allow us to create materials with vastly different properties at the nanoscale, but also enable a wide range of applications based on 2D materials, including strain sensors, stretchable electrodes, flexible field-effect transistors, artificial-muscle actuators, solar cells, and other spintronic, electromechanical, piezoelectric, photonic devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 12.712
Times cited: 314
DOI: 10.1021/nl504276u
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“3D interconnected hierarchically macro-mesoporous TiO2networks optimized by biomolecular self-assembly for high performance lithium ion batteries”. Ren X-N, Wu L, Jin J, Liu J, Hu Z-Y, Li Y, Hasan T, Yang X-Y, Van Tendeloo G, Su B-L, RSC advances 6, 26856 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA00332J
Abstract: Biomolecular self-assembly is an effective synthesis strategy for materials fabrication with unique structural complexity and properties. For the first time, we intergrate inner-particle mesoporosity in a three-dimensional (3D) interconnected macroporous TiO2 structure via the mediation of biomolecular self-assembly of the lipids and proteins from rape pollen coats and P123 to optimize the structure for high performance lithium storage. Benefitting from the hierarchically 3D interconnected macro-mesoporous structure with high surface area, small nanocrystallites and good electrolyte permeation, such unique porous structure demonstrates superior electrochemical performance, with high initial coulombic efficiency (94.4% at 1C) and a reversible discharge capacity of 161, 145, 127 and 97 mA h g-1 at 2, 5, 10 and 20C for 1000 cycles, with 79.3%, 89.9%, 90.1% and 87.4% capacity retention, respectively. Using SEM, TEM and HRTEM observations on the TiO2 materials before and after cycling, we verify that the inner-particle mesoporosity and the Li2Ti2O4 nanocrystallites formed during the cycling process in interconnected macroporous structure largely enhance the cycle life and rate performance. Our demonstration here offers opportunities towards developing and optimizing hierarchically porous structures for energy storage applications via biomolecular self-assembly.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.108
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1039/C6RA00332J
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“Optimization of Automated Crystal Orientation Mapping in a TEM for Ni4Ti3 Precipitation in All-Round SMA”. Yao X, Amin-Ahmadi B, Li Y, Cao S, Ma X, Zhang X-P, Schryvers D, Shape memory and superelasticity 2, 286 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1007/s40830-016-0082-z
Abstract: Automated crystal orientation and phase mapping in TEM are applied to the quantification of Ni4Ti3 precipitates in Ni–Ti shape memory alloys which will be used for the implantation of artificial sphincters operating using the all-round shape memory effect. This paper focuses on the optimization process of the technique to obtain best values for all major parameters in the acquisition of electron diffraction patterns as well as template generation. With the obtained settings, vast statistical data on nano- and microstructures essential to the operation of these shape memory devices become available.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1007/s40830-016-0082-z
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“Photochemical production of hydrogen peroxide by digging pro-superoxide radical carbon vacancies in carbon nitride”. Ding Y, Maitra S, Arenas Esteban D, Bals S, Vrielinck H, Barakat T, Roy S, Van Tendeloo G, Liu J, Li Y, Vlad A, Su B-L, Cell reports physical science 3, 100874 (2022). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.XCRP.2022.100874
Abstract: Artificial photosynthesis of H2O2, an environmentally friendly oxidant and a clean fuel, holds great promise. However, improving its efficiency and stability for industrial implementation remains highly challenging. Here, we report the visible-light H2O2 artificial photosynthesis by digging pro-superoxide radical carbon vacancies in three-dimensional hierarchical porous g-C3N4 through a simple hydrolysis-freeze-drying-thermal treatment. A significant electronic structure change is revealed upon the implantation of carbon vacancies, broadening visible-light absorption and facilitating the photogenerated charge separation. The strong electron affinity of the carbon vacancies promotes superoxide radical (O-center dot(2)-) formation, significantly boosting the H2O2 photocatalytic production. The developed photocatalyst shows an H2O2 evolution rate of 6287.5 mM g(-1) h(-1) under visible-light irradiation with a long cycling stability being the best-performing photocatalyst among all reported g-C3N4-based systems. Our work provides fundamental insight into highly active and stable photocatalysts with great potential for safe industrial H2O2 production.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1016/J.XCRP.2022.100874
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“Unprecedented and highly stable lithium storage capacity of (001) faceted nanosheet-constructed hierarchically porous TiO₂/rGO hybrid architecture for high-performance Li-ion batteries”. Yu W-B, Hu Z-Y, Jin J, Yi M, Yan M, Li Y, Wang H-E, Gao H-X, Mai L-Q, Hasan T, Xu B-X, Peng D-L, Van Tendeloo G, Su B-L, National Science Review 7, 1046 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1093/NSR/NWAA028
Abstract: Active crystal facets can generate special properties for various applications. Herein, we report a (001) faceted nanosheet-constructed hierarchically porous TiO2/rGO hybrid architecture with unprecedented and highly stable lithium storage performance. Density functional theory calculations show that the (001) faceted TiO2 nanosheets enable enhanced reaction kinetics by reinforcing their contact with the electrolyte and shortening the path length of Li+ diffusion and insertion-extraction. The reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets in this TiO2/rGO hybrid largely improve charge transport, while the porous hierarchy at different length scales favors continuous electrolyte permeation and accommodates volume change. This hierarchically porous TiO2/rGO hybrid anode material demonstrates an excellent reversible capacity of 250 mAh g(-1) at 1 C (1 C = 335 mA g(-1)) at a voltage window of 1.0-3.0 V. Even after 1000 cycles at 5 C and 500 cycles at 10 C, the anode retains exceptional and stable capacities of 176 and 160 mAh g(-1), respectively. Moreover, the formed Li2Ti2O4 nanodots facilitate reversed Li+ insertion-extraction during the cycling process. The above results indicate the best performance of TiO2-based materials as anodes for lithium-ion batteries reported in the literature.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 20.6
Times cited: 3
DOI: 10.1093/NSR/NWAA028
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“Chemistry of trimethyl aluminum: a spontaneous route to thermally stable 3D crystalline macroporous alumina foams with a hierarchy of pore sizes”. Li Y, Yang X-Y, Tian G, Vantomme A, Yu J, Van Tendeloo G, Su B-L, Chemistry of materials 22, 3251 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm100491r
Abstract: A simple and spontaneous one-pot self-formation procedure that is easy to scale up has been developed based on the chemistry of trimethylaluminum (TMA), leading to thermally stable macroporous crystalline alumina with a very unique and unprecedented three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical pore structure consisting of well-defined wormlike mesopores. TMA is the precursor of both product and porogene (viz, two working functions within the same molecule (2 in 1)). The materials obtained have been intensively characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), N2 adsorption−desorption, and mercury porosimetry. The open cagelike macrocavities are self-constructed by mesoporous nanorods (diameter of ca. 40−70 nm), which are themselves formed by a random assembly of fibrous nanoparticles 5−6 nm in size. Optical microscopy (OM) has been used in situ to follow the synthesis procedure, which led to the proposal of the formation mechanism. Methane molecules as porogens, which were instantaneously released because of the fast hydrolysis of the chemical precursor, were the key factor in producing these 3D structures with uniform co-continuous macropores that interconnected directly with the wormlike mesopores. The important characteristic of this procedure is the concurrent formation of a multiscaled porous network. The material exhibits great thermal stability. The hierarchically mesoporous−macroporous Al2O3 obtained is quite attractive for a myriad of applications, from catalysis to biomedicine. The present work illustrates that the one-pot self-formation concept, based on the chemistry of alkyl metals, is a versatile method to design industrially valuable hierarchically porous materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 38
DOI: 10.1021/cm100491r
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“BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites: Effect of BiVO4 as highly efficient visible light sensitizer for highly improved visible light photocatalytic activity in the degradation of dye pollutants”. Zalfani M, Hu Z-Y, Yu W-B, Mahdouani M, Bourguig R, Wu M, Li Y, Van Tendeloo G, Djoued Y, Su B-L, Applied Catalysis B-Environmental 205, 121 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.12.019
Abstract: A series of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites have been synthesized and their photocatalytic activity was investigated under visible light irradiation using the RhB dye as model pollutant molecule in an aqueous solution. The effect of the amount of BiVO4 as visible light sensitizer on the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites was highlighted. The heterostructured composite system leads to much higher photocatalytic efficiencies than bare 3DOM TiO2 and BiVO4 nanoparticles. As the proportion of BiVO4 in BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases from 0.04 to 0.6, the photocatalytic performance of the BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases and then decreases after reaching a maximum at 0.2. This improvement in photocatalytic perfomance is related to 1) the interfacial electron transfer efficiency between the coupled materials, 2) the 3DOM TiO2 inverse opal structure with interconnected pores providing an easy mass transfer of the reactant molecules and high accessibility to the active sites and large surface area and 3) the effect of light sensitizer of BiVO4. Intensive studies on structural, textural, optical and surface properties reveal that the electronic interactions between BiVO4 and TiO2 lead to an improved charge separation of the coupled BiVO4/TiO2 system. The photogenerated charge carrier densities increase with increasing the BiVO4 content, which acts as visible light sensitizer to the TiO2 and is responsible for the enhancement in the rate of photocatalytic degradation. However, the photocatalytic activity is reduced when the BiVO4 amount is much higher than that of 3DOM TiO2. Two reasons could account for this behavior. First, with increasing BiVO4 content, the photogenerated electron/hole pairs are accumulated at the surface of the BiVO4 nanoparticles and the recombination rate increases as shown by the PL results. Second, decreasing the amount of 3DOM TiO2 in the nanocomposite decreases the surface area as shown by the BET results. Moreover, the poor adsorptive properties of the BiVO4 photocatalyst also affect the photocatalytic performance, in particular at higher BiVO4 content. The present work demonstrates that BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 is a very promising heterojunction system for visible light photocatalytic applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.446
Times cited: 52
DOI: 10.1016/j.apcatb.2016.12.019
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“BiVo4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites : effect of BiVO4 as highly efficient visible light sensitizer for highly improved visible light photocatalytic activity in the degradation of dye pollutants”. Zalfani M, Hu Z-Y, Yu W-B, Mahdouani M, Bourguiga R, Wu M, Li Y, Van Tendeloo G, Djoued Y, Su B-L, Applied catalysis : B : environmental 205, 121 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.APCATB.2016.12.019
Abstract: A series of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites have been synthesized and their photocatalytic activity was investigated under visible light irradiation using the RhB dye as model pollutant molecule in an aqueous solution. The effect of the amount of BiVO4 as visible light sensitizer on the photocatalytic activity of BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites was highlighted. The heterostructured composite system leads to much higher photocatalytic efficiencies than bare 3DOM TiO2 and BiVO4 nanoparticles. As the proportion of BiVO4 in BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases from 0.04 to 0.6, the photocatalytic performance of the BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 nanocomposites increases and then decreases after reaching a maximum at 0.2. This improvement in photocatalytic perfomance is related to 1) the interfacial electron transfer efficiency between the coupled materials, 2) the 3DOM TiO2 inverse opal structure with interconnected pores providing an easy mass transfer of the reactant molecules and high accessibility to the active sites and large surface area and 3) the effect of light sensitizer of BiVO4. Intensive studies on structural, textural, optical and surface properties reveal that the electronic interactions between BiVO4 and TiO2 lead to an improved charge separation of the coupled BiVO4/TiO2 system. The photogenerated charge carrier densities increase with increasing the BiVO4 content, which acts as visible light sensitizer to the TiO2 and is responsible for the enhancement in the rate of photocatalytic degradation. However, the photocatalytic activity is reduced when the BiVO4 amount is much higher than that of 3DOM TiO2. Two reasons could account for this behavior. First, with increasing BiVO4 content, the photogenerated electron/hole pairs are accumulated at the surface of the BiVO4 nanoparticles and the recombination rate increases as shown by the PL results. Second, decreasing the amount of 3DOM TiO2 in the nanocomposite decreases the surface area as shown by the BET results. Moreover, the poor adsorptive properties of the BiVO4 photocatalyst also affect the photocatalytic performance, in particular at higher BiVO4 content. The present work demonstrates that BiVO4/3DOM TiO2 is a very promising heterojunction system for visible light photocatalytic applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.446
Times cited: 52
DOI: 10.1016/J.APCATB.2016.12.019
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“Optimization of Automated Crystal Orientation and Phase Mapping in TEM Applied to Ni-Ti All Round Shape Memory Alloy”. Yao X, Li Y, Cao S, Ma X, Zhang X-ping, Schryvers D, MATEC web of conferences
T2 –, Proceedings of ESOMAT 2015 10th European Symposium on Martensitic Transformations, September 14-18, 2015, Antwerp, Belgium 33, 03022 (2015). http://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/20153303022
Abstract: A new application which focuses on an artificial sphincter fabricated by Ni-Ti SMAs for human implantation is under investigation by applying the all-round shape memory effect with precise control of the phase transformation temperatures. In this study, a Ni51at.%-Ti alloy was fabricated by arc melting with fast solidification, followed by a proper strained aging which induces the two way shape memory effect needed for this particular application. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to investigate the thermal behavior and transmission electron microscopy was used for studying the microstructure of the alloys. With the latter the novel technique of automated crystal orientation microscopy is used and optimized to obtain phase and orientation mapping of the various structures.
Keywords: P1 Proceeding; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1051/matecconf/20153303022
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“Spatial heterojunction in nanostructured TiO₂, and its cascade effect for efficient photocatalysis”. Lu Y, Liu X-L, He L, Zhang Y-X, Hu Z-Y, Tian G, Cheng X, Wu S-M, Li Y-Z, Yang X-H, Wang L-Y, Liu J-W, Janiak C, Chang G-G, Li W-H, Van Tendeloo G, Yang X-Y, Su B-L, Nano Letters 20, 3122 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.NANOLETT.9B05121
Abstract: A highly efficient photoenergy conversion is strongly dependent on the cumulative cascade efficiency of the photogenerated carriers. Spatial heterojunctions are critical to directed charge transfer and, thus, attractive but still a challenge. Here, a spatially ternary titanium-defected TiO2@carbon quantum dots@reduced graphene oxide (denoted as V-Ti@CQDs@rGO) in one system is shown to demonstrate a cascade effect of charges and significant performances regarding the photocurrent, the apparent quantum yield, and photocatalysis such as H-2 production from water splitting and CO2 reduction. A key aspect in the construction is the technologically irrational junction of Ti-vacancies and nanocarbons for the spatially inside-out heterojunction. The new “spatial heterojunctions” concept, characteristics, mechanism, and extension are proposed at an atomic- nanoscale to clarify the generation of rational heterojunctions as well as the cascade electron transfer.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 10.8
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.NANOLETT.9B05121
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“Probing the electron beam-induced structural evolution of halide perovskite thin films by scanning transmission electron microscopy”. Zhou X-G, Yang C-Q, Sang X, Li W, Wang L, Yin Z-W, Han J-R, Li Y, Ke X, Hu Z-Y, Cheng Y-B, Van Tendeloo G, Journal Of Physical Chemistry C 125, 10786 (2021). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.JPCC.1C02156
Abstract: A deep understanding of the fine structure at the atomic scale of halide perovskite materials has been limited by their sensitivity to the electron beam that is widely used for structural characterization. The sensitivity of a gamma-CsPbIBr2 perovskite thin film under electron beam irradiation is revealed by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) through a universal large-range electron dose measurement, which is based on discrete single-electron events in the STEM mode. Our research indicates that the gamma-CsPbIBr2 thin film undergoes structural changes with increasing electron overall dose (e(-).A(-2)) rather than dose rate (e(-).A(-2).s(-1)), which suggests that overall dose is the key operative parameter. The electron beam-induced structural evolution of gamma-CsPbIBr2 is monitored by fine control of the electron beam dose, together with the analysis of high-resolution (S)TEM, diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Our results show that the gamma-CsPbIBr2 phase first forms an intermediate phase [e.g., CsPb(1-x)(IBr)((3-y))] with a superstructure of ordered vacancies in the pristine unit cell, while a fraction of Pb2+ is reduced to Pb-0. As the electron dose increases, Pb nanoparticles precipitate, while the remaining framework forms the Cs2IBr phase, accompanied by some amorphization. This work provides guidelines to minimize electron beam irradiation artifacts for atomic-resolution imaging on CsPbIBr2 thin films.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.536
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.JPCC.1C02156
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“Behavior of Ni-doped MgMoO4 single-phase catalysts for synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotube bundles”. Li Y, Zhang X, Geise HJ, Van Tendeloo G, Chemical vapor deposition 13, 30 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1002/cvde.200606531
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 1.333
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1002/cvde.200606531
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“Controllable synthesis of novel one-dimensional carbon nanomaterials on an alkali-element-modified Cu catalyst”. Tao XY, Zhang XB, Cheng J-P, Liu F, Li Y, Van Tendeloo G, Nanotechnology 17, 224 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/17/1/037
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.44
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/17/1/037
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“Natural mineral-marine manganese nodule as a novel catalyst for the synthesis of carbon nanotubes”. Cheng JP, Zhang XB, Ye Y, Tao XY, Liu F, Li Y, Van Tendeloo G, Journal of Wuhan University of Technology: materials science edition 21, 29 (2006)
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
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“Shape selective growth of single crystalline MnOOH multipods and 1D nanowires by a reductive hydrothermal method”. Mi Y, Zhang X, Yang Z, Li Y, Zhou S, Zhang H, Zhu W, He D, Wang J, Van Tendeloo G, Materials letters 61, 1781 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2006.07.130
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.572
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2006.07.130
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