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Author Moro, G.; Foumthuim, C.J.D.; Spinaci, M.; Martini, E.; Cimino, D.; Balliana, E.; Lieberzeit, P.; Romano, F.; Giacometti, A.; Campos, R.; De Wael, K.; Moretto, L.M.
Title How perfluoroalkyl substances modify fluorinated self-assembled monolayer architectures : an electrochemical and computational study Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Analytica chimica acta Abbreviated Journal
Volume 1204 Issue Pages 339740-12
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract There is an urgent need for sensing strategies to screen perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aqueous matrices. These strategies must be applicable in large-scale monitoring plans to face the ubiquitous use of PFAS, their wide global spread, and their fast evolution towards short-chain, branched molecules. To this aim, the changes in fluorinated self-assembled monolayers (SAM) with different architectures (pinholes/defects-free and with randomized pinholes/defects) were studied upon exposure to both long and short-chain PFAS. The applicability of fluorinated SAM in PFAS sensing was evaluated. Changes in the SAM structures were characterised combining electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and voltam-metric techniques. The experimental data interpretation was supported by molecular dynamics simu-lations to gain a more in-depth understanding of the interaction mechanisms involved. Pinhole/defect-free fluorinated SAM were found to be applicable to long-chain PFAS screening within switch-on sensing strategy, while a switch-off sensing strategy was reported for screening of both short/long-chain PFAS. These strategies confirmed the possibility to play on fluorophilic interactions when designing PFAS screening methods.(c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000789493000010 Publication Date 2022-03-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-2670; 1873-4324 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188658 Serial 8880
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wagaarachchige, J.D.; Idris, Z.; Arstad, B.; Kummamuru, N.B.; Sætre, K.A.S.; Halstensen, M.; Jens, K.-J.
Title Low-viscosity nonaqueous sulfolane–amine–methanol solvent blend for reversible CO2 capture Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Industrial and engineering chemistry research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 61 Issue 17 Pages 5942-5951
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract In this work, the absorption–desorption performance of CO2 in six new solvent blends of amine (diisopropylamine (DPA), 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP), methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), diethanolamine (DEA), diisopropanolamine (DIPA), and ethanolamine (MEA)), sulfolane, and methanol has been monitored using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Additionally, NMR-based species confirmation and solvent viscosity analysis were done for DPA solvent samples. The identified CO2 capture products are monomethyl carbonate (MMC), carbamate, carbonate, and bicarbonate anions in different ratios. The DPA solvent formed MMC entirely with 0.88 molCO2/molamine capture capacity, 0.48 molCO2/molamine cyclic capacity, and 3.28 mPa·s CO2-loaded solvent viscosity. MEA, DEA, DIPA, and MDEA were shown to produce a low or a negligible amount of MMC while AMP occupied an intermediate position.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2022-04-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0888-5885; 1520-5045 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199111 Serial 8895
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ma, X.; Pavlidis, G.; Dillon, E.; Beltran, V.; Schwartz, J.J.; Thoury, M.; Borondics, F.; Sandt, C.; Kjoller, K.; Berrie, B.H.; Centrone, A.
Title Micro to nano : multiscale IR analyses reveal zinc soap heterogeneity in a 19th-century painting by Corot Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal
Volume 94 Issue 7 Pages 3103-3110
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Formation and aggregation of metal carboxylates (metal soaps) can degrade the appearance and integrity of oil paints, challenging efforts to conserve painted works of art. Endeavors to understand the root cause of metal soap formation have been hampered by the limited spatial resolution of Fourier transform infrared microscopy (mu-FTIR). We overcome this limitation using optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy (O-PTIR) and photothermal-induced resonance (PTIR), two novel methods that provide IR spectra with approximate to 500 and approximate to 10 nm spatial resolutions, respectively. The distribution of chemical phases in thin sections from the top layer of a 19th-century painting is investigated at multiple scales (mu-FTIR approximate to 10(2) mu m(3), O-PTIR approximate to 10(-1) mu m(3), PTIR approximate to 10(-5) mu m(3)). The paint samples analyzed here are found to be mixtures of pigments (cobalt green, lead white), cured oil, and a rich array of intermixed, small (often << 0.1 mu m(3)) zinc soap domains. We identify Zn stearate and Zn oleate crystalline soaps with characteristic narrow IR peaks (approximate to 1530-1558 cm(-1)) and a heterogeneous, disordered, water-permeable, tetrahedral zinc soap phase, with a characteristic broad peak centered at approximate to 1596 cm(-1). We show that the high signal-to-noise ratio and spatial resolution afforded by O-PTIR are ideal for identifying phase-separated (or locally concentrated) species with low average concentration, while PTIR provides an unprecedented nanoscale view of distributions and associations of species in paint. This newly accessible nanocompositional information will advance our knowledge of chemical processes in oil paint and will stimulate new art conservation practices.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000766206700011 Publication Date 2022-02-09
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-2700; 5206-882x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187380 Serial 8897
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Neven, L.; Barich, H.; Rutten, R.; De Wael, K.
Title Novel (photo)electrochemical analysis of aqueous industrial samples containing phenols Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Microchemical journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 181 Issue Pages 107778-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Phenols are considered as toxic pollutants and their discharge into the environment by industries is regulated by a concentration limit. As these limits are in the low mg L−1 to µg L−1-range, sensitive methods are necessary to detect these phenols. Here, aqueous industrial phenolic samples throughout a cleaning process were analyzed by two novel electrochemical sensors. Both the photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor and the square wave voltammetric (SWV) sensor could successfully follow the decrease of the concentration of phenols along the industrial cleaning process. The discharge sample (μg L−1) could only be analyzed by the PEC sensor and not by the SWV sensor, as the phenolic concentration was close to the LOD of the latter. With HPLC-diode array detector (DAD) measurements, classical phenols such as phenol (PHOH), hydroquinone, resorcinol and o-cresol could be identified in the industrial samples, and their presence could be linked to the electrochemical responses. At last, the performance of the PEC and SWV sensors were compared with commercial colorimetric and chemical oxygen demand (COD) test kits. This comparison demonstrated the high sensitivity of the PEC sensor in the μg L−1 concentrated phenolic samples. Together with the identification of the redox peaks through HPLC-DAD analysis, the SWV sensor can be a powerful tool in the qualitative analysis of mg L−1 concentrated phenolic samples due to its speed, simplicity and absence of laborious sample pre-treatment steps.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000837838400003 Publication Date 2022-07-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0026-265x; 0026-265x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:189428 Serial 8906
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ehirim, T.J.; Ozoemena, O.C.; Mwonga, P.V.; Haruna, A.B.; Mofokeng, T.P.; De Wael, K.; Ozoemena, K.I.
Title Onion-like carbons provide a favorable electrocatalytic platform for the sensitive detection of tramadol drug Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication ACS Omega Abbreviated Journal
Volume 7 Issue 51 Pages 47892-47905
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract This work reports the first study on the possible application of nanodiamond-derived onion-like carbons (OLCs), in comparison with conductive carbon black (CB), as an electrode platform for the electrocatalytic detection of tramadol (an important drug of abuse). The physicochemical properties of OLCs and CB were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The OLC exhibits, among others, higher surface area, more surface defects, and higher thermal stability than CB. From the electrochemical analysis (interrogated using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), it is shown that an OLC-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE-OLC) allows faster electron transport and electrocatalysis toward tramadol compared to a GCE-CB. To establish the underlying science behind the high performance of the OLC, theoretical calculations (density functional theory (DFT) simulations) were conducted. DFT predicts that OLC allows for weaker surface binding of tramadol (Ead = -26.656 eV) and faster kinetic energy (K.E. = -155.815 Ha) than CB (Ead = -40.174 eV and -305.322 Ha). The GCE-OLC shows a linear calibration curve for tramadol over the range of similar to 55 to 392 mu M, with high sensitivity (0.0315 mu A/mu M) and low limit of detection (LoD) and quantification (LoQ) (3.8 and 12.7 mu M, respectively). The OLC-modified screen-printed electrode (SPE-OLC) was successfully applied for the sensitive detection of tramadol in real pharmaceutical formulations and human serum. The OLC-based electrochemical sensor promises to be useful for the sensitive and accurate detection of tramadol in clinics, quality control, and routine quantification of tramadol drugs in pharmaceutical formulations.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000903165200001 Publication Date 2022-12-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2470-1343 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:193391 Serial 8908
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Schram, J.; Parrilla, M.; Slosse, A.; Van Durme, F.; Åberg, J.; Björk, K.; Bijvoets, S.M.; Sap, S.; Heerschop, M.W.J.; De Wael, K.
Title Paraformaldehyde-coated electrochemical sensor for improved on-site detection of amphetamine in street samples Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Microchemical journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 179 Issue Pages 107518-107519
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract The increasing illicit production, distribution and abuse of amphetamine (AMP) poses a challenge for law enforcement worldwide. To effectively combat this issue, fast and portable tools for the on-site screening of suspicious samples are required. Electrochemical profile (EP)-based sensing of illicit drugs has proven to be a viable option for this purpose as it allows rapid voltammetric measurements via the use of disposable and low-cost graphite screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). In this work, a highly practical paraformaldehyde (PFA)-coated sensor, which unlocks the detectability of primary amines through derivatization, is developed for the on-site detection of AMP in seized drug samples. A potential interval was defined at the sole AMP peak (which is used for identification of the target analyte) to account for potential shifts due to fluctuations in concentration and temperature, which are relevant factors for on-site use. Importantly, it was found that AMP detection was not hindered by the presence of common diluents and adulterants such as caffeine, even when present in high amounts. When inter-drug differentiation is desired, a simultaneous second test with the same solution on an unmodified electrode is introduced to provide the required additional electrochemical information. Finally, the concept was validated by analyzing 30 seized AMP samples (reaching a sensitivity of 96.7 %) and comparing its performance to that of commercially available Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) devices.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000809675500010 Publication Date 2022-04-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0026-265x; 0026-265x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188454 Serial 8910
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Parrilla, M.; Slosse, A.; Van Echelpoel, R.; Montiel, F.N.; Langley, A.R.; Van Durme, F.; De Wael, K.
Title Rapid on-site detection of illicit drugs in smuggled samples with a portable electrochemical device Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Chemosensors Abbreviated Journal
Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages 108-116
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract The smuggling of illicit drugs urges the development of new tools for rapid on-site identification in cargos. Current methods rely on presumptive color tests and portable spectroscopic techniques. However, these methods sometimes exhibit inaccurate results due to commonly used cutting agents, the colorful nature of the sample or because the drugs are smuggled in common goods. Interestingly, electrochemical sensors can deal with these specific problems. Herein, an electrochemical device is presented that uses affordable screen-printed electrodes for the electrochemical profiling of several illicit drugs by square-wave voltammetry (SWV). The identification of the illicit compound is based on the oxidation potential of the analyte. Hence, a library of electrochemical profiles is built upon the analysis of illicit drugs and common cutting agents. This library allows the design of a tailor-made script that enables the identification of each drug through a user-friendly interface (laptop or mobile phone). Importantly, the electrochemical test is compared by analyzing 48 confiscated samples with other portable devices based on Raman and FTIR spectroscopy as well as a laboratory standard method (i.e., gas chromatography-mass spectrometry). Overall, the electrochemical results, obtained through the analysis of different samples from confiscated cargos at an end-user site, present a promising alternative to current methods, offering low-cost and rapid testing in the field.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000775813500001 Publication Date 2022-03-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2227-9040 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187766 Serial 8920
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Jong, M.; Van Echelpoel, R.; Langley, A.R.; Eliaerts, J.; van den Berg, J.; De Wilde, M.; Somers, N.; Samyn, N.; De Wael, K.
Title Real-time electrochemical screening of cocaine in lab and field settings with automatic result generation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Drug testing and analysis Abbreviated Journal
Volume 14 Issue 8 Pages 1471-1481
Keywords A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract This work presents the results of a novel application for the fast on-site screening of cocaine and its main cutting agents in suspicious and confiscated samples. The methodology behind the novel application consists of portable electrochemical detection coupled with a peak-recognition algorithm for automated result output generation, validated both in laboratory and field settings. Currently used field tests, predominantly colorimetric tests, are lacking accuracy, often giving false positive or negative results. This presses the need for alternative approaches to field testing. By combining portable electrochemical approaches with peak-recognition algorithms, an accuracy of 98.4% concerning the detection of cocaine was achieved on a set of 374 powder samples. In addition, the approach was tested on multiple 'smuggled', colored cocaine powders and cocaine mixtures in solid and liquid states, typically in matrices such as charcoal, syrup and clothing. Despite these attempts to hide cocaine, our approach succeeded in detecting cocaine during on-site screening scenarios. This feature presents an advantage over colorimetric and optical detection techniques, which can fail with colored sample matrices. This enhanced accuracy on smuggled samples will lead to increased efficiency in confiscation procedures in the field, thus significantly reducing societal economic and safety concerns and highlighting the potential for electrochemical approaches in on-the-spot identification of drugs of abuse.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000790965700001 Publication Date 2022-04-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1942-7603; 1942-7611 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187767 Serial 8921
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ortiz-Aguayo, D.; Ceto, X.; De Wael, K.; del Valle, M.
Title Resolution of opiate illicit drugs signals in the presence of some cutting agents with use of a voltammetric sensor array and machine learning strategies Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Sensors and actuators : B : chemical Abbreviated Journal
Volume 357 Issue Pages 131345
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract In the present work, the resolution and quantification of mixtures of different opiate compounds in the presence of common cutting agents using an electronic tongue (ET) is evaluated. More specifically, ternary mixtures of heroin, morphine and codeine were resolved in the presence of caffeine and paracetamol. To this aim, an array of three carbon screen-printed electrodes were modified with different ink-like solutions of graphite, cobalt (II) phthalocyanine and palladium, and their responses towards the different drugs were characterized by means of square wave voltammetry (SWV). Developed sensors showed a good performance with good linearity at the mu M level, LODs between 1.8 and 5.3 mu M for the 3 actual drugs, and relative standard deviation (RSD) ca. 2% for over 50 consecutive measurements. Next, a quantitative model that allowed the identification and quantification of the individual substances from the overlapped voltammograms was built using partial least squares regression (PLS) as the modeling tool. With this approach, quantification of the different drugs was achieved at the mu M level, with a total normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of 0.084 for the test subset.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000745113900003 Publication Date 2021-12-31
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0925-4005 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:185446 Serial 8922
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Neven, L.; Barich, H.; Pelmuş, M.; Gorun, S.M.; De Wael, K.
Title The role of singlet oxygen, superoxide, hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide in the photoelectrochemical response of phenols at a supported highly fluorinated zinc phthalocyanine Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication ChemElectroChem Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 6 Pages e202200108-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing of phenolic compounds using singlet oxygen (1O2)-generating photocatalysts has emerged as a powerful detection tool. However, it is currently not known how experimental parameters, such as pH and applied potential, influence the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their photocurrents. In this article, the PEC response was studied over the 6 to 10 pH range using a rotating (ring) disk (R(R)DE) set-up in combination with quenchers, to identify the ROS formed upon illumination of a supported photosensitizer, F64PcZn. The photocurrents magnitude depended on the applied potential and the pH of the buffer solution. The anodic responses were caused by the oxidation of O2.−, generated due to the quenching of 1O2 with −OH and the reaction of 3O2 with [F64Pc(3-)Zn]. The cathodic responses were assigned to the reduction of 1O2 and O2.−, yielding H2O2. These insights may benefit 1O2 – based PEC sensing applications.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000773947300003 Publication Date 2022-02-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2196-0216 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187524 Serial 8926
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Filez, M.; Feng, J.-Y.; Minjauw, M.M.; Solano, E.; Poonkottil, N.; Van Daele, M.; Ramachandran, R.K.; Li, C.; Bals, S.; Poelman, H.; Detavernier, C.; Dendooven, J.; Filez, M.; Minjauw, M.; Solano, E.; Poonkottil, N.; Li, C.; Bals, S.; Dendooven, J.
Title Shuffling atomic layer deposition gas sequences to modulate bimetallic thin films and nanoparticle properties Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Atomic layer deposition (ALD) typically employs metal precursors and co-reactant pulses to deposit thin films in a layer-by-layer fashion. While conventional ABAB-type ALD sequences implement only two functionalities, namely, a metal source and ligand exchange agent, additional functionalities have emerged, including etching and reduction agents. Herein, we construct gas-phase sequences-coined as ALD+-with complex-ities reaching beyond the classic ABAB-type ALD by freely combining multiple functionalities within irregular pulse schemes, e.g., ABCADC. The possibilities of such combinations are explored as a smart strategy to tailor bimetallic thin films and nanoparticle (NP) properties. By doing so, we demonstrate that bimetallic thin films can be tailored with target thickness and through the full compositional range, while the morphology can be flexibly modulated from thin films to NPs by shuI 1ing the pulse sequence. These complex pulse schemes are expected to be broadly applicable but are here explored for Pd-Ru bimetallic thin films and NPs.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000823205700001 Publication Date 2022-06-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0897-4756; 1520-5002 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited 2 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This research was funded by the Research Foundation, Flanders (FWO) , and the Special Research Fund BOF of Ghent University (GOA 01G01019) . M.F. and M.M.M. acknowledge the FWO for a postdoctoral research fellowship (1280621N) . N.P. acknowledges the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Skiodowska-Curie grant agreement no. 765378. For the GISAXS measurements, the author s received funding from the European Community's Transnational Access Program CALIPSOplus. E.S. acknowledges the Spanish project RTI2018-093996-B-C32 MICINN/FEDER funds. Air Liquide is acknowledged for supporting this research. The authors acknowledge SOLEIL for the provision of synchrotron radiation facilities and would like to thank Dr. Alessandro Coati for assistance in using beamline SiXS. The GIWAXS experiments were performed at NCD-SWEET beamline at ALBA Synchrotron with the collaboration of ALBA staff . Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:189541 Serial 8928
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Thiruvottriyur Shanmugam, S.; Trashin, S.; De Wael, K.
Title Singlet oxygen-based photoelectrochemical detection of DNA Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Biosensors and bioelectronics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 195 Issue Pages 113652
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract The current work, designed for the photoelectrochemical detection of DNA, evaluates light-responsive DNA probes carrying molecular photosensitizers generating singlet oxygen (1O2). We take advantage of their chromophore’s ability to produce 1O2 upon photoexcitation and subsequent photocurrent response. Type I, fluorescent and type II photosensitizers were studied using diode lasers at 406 nm blue, 532 nm green and 659 nm red lasers in the presensce and absence of a redox reporter, hydroquinone (HQ). Only type II photosensitizers (producing 1O2) resulted in a noticeable photocurrent in 1–4 nA range upon illumination, in particular, dissolved DNA probes labeled with chlorin e6 and erythrosine were found to give a well-detectable photocurrent response in the presence of HQ. Whereas, Type I photosensitizers and fluorescent chromophores generate negligible photocurrents (<0.15 nA). The analytical performance of the sensing system was evaluated using a magnetic beads-based DNA assay on disposable electrode platforms, with a focus to enhance the sensitivity and robustness of the technique in detecting complementary DNA targets. Amplified photocurrent responses in the range of 70–100 nA were obtained and detection limits of 17 pM and 10 pM were achieved using magnetic beads-captured chlorin e6 and erythrosine labeled DNA probes respectively. The presented novel photoelectrochemical detection can further be optimized and employed in applications for which enzymatic amplification such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is not applicable owing to their limitations and as an effective alternative to colorimetric detection when rapid detection of specific nucleic acid targets is required.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000705223300003 Publication Date 2021-09-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0956-5663 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181796 Serial 8930
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Thiruvottriyur Shanmugam, S.
Title Singlet oxygen-based photoelectrochemical detection of nucleic acids Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2022 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 217 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small oligonucleotides (18-25 bases) that play a key role in epigenetic regulation. Since the discovery of miRNAs in 1993, their role in biological processes has been extensively investigated. By now, it has been evidenced that monitoring and detection of miRNAs can improve (early) disease diagnosis. The existing diagnostic approaches have limitations such as the need for complex multistep protocols for sample preparation, analysis, data interpretation, high cost of equipment, the need for highly qualified personnel, and high laboratory standards. As opposed to this, point-of-care biosensors and chips aim to facilitate the procedure and avoid sending samples into centralized laboratories, which saves time, reduces the chance of sample degradation, and enables analysis of patient samples in remote areas, directly at home or primary and secondary care facilities (i.e. general practitioners and specialists). The latter is essential for therapy assessment and follow-up monitoring of patients with chronic diseases and cancer. Nevertheless, the development of such sensors is lagging compared to the projections of 10 – 20 years ago, mainly due to insufficient sensitivity, poor reproducibility, and the complexity of the sensors’ design reported in the research literature. This motivates the development of new detection strategies and technologies such as photoelectrochemical sensors that combine the best features of different sensing approaches. The primary concern when developing detection technologies for miRNA is the need for a highly sensitive and selective platform. This thesis explores a novel photoelectrochemical (PEC) method that is distinctive owing to its sensitive nature and simple and robust design. Firstly, we focused on the usage of recently emerging commercial gold-sputtered electrode systems for the detection of short nucleic acid with enzymatic amplification. Importantly, cleaning such electrodes is a challenge since the standard procedures known for regular disk electrodes such as polishing cannot be employed here, since it will damage the protective layer on the electrode. However, the electrodes can be washed and pretreated chemically and/or electrochemically. Thus, a procedure to effectively clean and modify the gold-sputtered electrode has been developed, resulting in high-performance gold-sputtered nucleic acid sensors. Next, the usage of molecular photosensitizers as an alternative to enzymatic amplification has been evaluated. We took advantage of the singlet oxygen production by photosensitizers upon photoexcitation, leading to a photocurrent response due to the singlet oxygen-induced (electro)chemical conversions. Following the demonstration of the detection strategy, the analytical performance of the sensing system was evaluated using magnetic beads-based nucleic acid assay on disposable electrode platforms, with a focus to enhance the sensitivity and robustness of the technique in detecting complementary nucleic acid targets. Following the fundamental evaluation of the singlet oxygen-based PEC detection of nucleic acids, we further optimized the assay and measurement parameters and employed the sensing strategy for a polymerase chain reaction-free (PCR-free) quantification of miRNAs related to prostate cancer. By successfully detecting and quantifying low-picomolar range concentrations (< 10 pM) in plasma samples from prostate cancer patients, we successfully showed the applicability of the novel sensing strategy. We have also compared and positioned the performance of our developed PEC strategy with an existing state-of-art technique, i.e. electrochemiluminescence (ECL). Our PEC strategy performed on par with ECL, both yielding low-picomolar detection limits in serum matrices, however quicker and cheaper than ECL. Owing to the versatility of this PEC technique, the final study explored its multiplexing capability. As a starting point in this branch of the research, we have investigated two possible ways for multiplexing. To perform multiple measurements at the same time, constructing calibration plots and quantifying unknown miRNA concentrations in patient samples at the same time, we have developed a high-throughput detection with 96X multi-channel electrode systems and in-house designed and constructed 96XLED illumination sources. Secondly, to detect more than one target miRNA in a single measurement, intra-vial multiplexing where the samples were analyzed for different targets in one vial was also explored. Altogether, this thesis presents the fundamentals, development and application of a novel PEC strategy for detecting short (< 25 bases) nucleic acid sequences, in particular, miRNA. With an aim to serve as a distinctive technique to function as a clinical testing platform without any need for PCR, this work adds value to the development of nucleic acid-based sensors for miRNAs and other short-stranded nucleic acid biomarkers, and benefits in the early detection of diseases like cancer.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191753 Serial 8931
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Neven, L.
Title Singlet oxygen-based photoelectrochemical detection of phenolic contaminants Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2022 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 234 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Phenolic compounds can be found everywhere in our daily lives but exhibit high toxicity, low (bio)degradability and hormone-disrupting effects when they are released in the environment. It is for this reason imperative to develop detection strategies for these pollutants. A promising approach involves the use of a photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor. In this sensor, a photosensitiser (PS) type II, which generates 1O2 under illumination, is used to oxidise phenolic compounds present in the sample. The oxidised phenols are reduced at the electrode surface leading to the generation of an electrocatalytic redox cycle. In this thesis, an in-depth understanding, through the identification of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the PEC sensing mechanism, is obtained. The detection strategy is optimised by choosing the PS with the highest 1O2 production and by optimising the detection parameters so that the PEC sensor can be successfully applied for the detection of phenols in industrial samples. First, it was determined that the use of highly fluorinated zinc phthalocyanine derivatives, F52PcZn and F64PcZn, as photocatalysts was optimal for the sensing of phenol due to their high 1O2 production and improved single-site isolation. However, next to 1O2, it was shown that the ROS O2•- and H2O2 were also generated in the PEC sensor. Their contribution to the photocurrent response was studied by rotating disk electrode measurements in function of the pH and applied potential. After this, the PEC detection strategy was optimised in terms of pH and applied potential for the detection of doxycycline, cefadroxil, and phenol. It was found that the use of alkaline pH-levels led to nmol L-1-level detection limits. The combination with square wave voltammetry (SWV) was, also, proposed to allow the quantification and identification of phenolic compounds in a specific sample. At last, the developed PEC and SWV sensors were applied for the measurement of phenolic compounds in industrial water samples. The PEC sensor could follow the decrease of the phenolic concentration throughout the wastewater treatment process while the SWV sensor provided the electrochemical fingerprints of these samples. The thesis concluded that the use of the PEC sensor was advantageous in the measurement of lower concentrated phenolic samples due to its high sensitivity and fast measurement time in comparison to commercial test kits.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187029 Serial 8932
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Blundo, E.; Faria, P.E., Jr.; Surrente, A.; Pettinari, G.; Prosnikov, M.A.; Olkowska-Pucko, K.; Zollner, K.; Wozniak, T.; Chaves, A.; Kazimierczuk, T.; Felici, M.; Babinski, A.; Molas, M.R.; Christianen, P.C.M.; Fabian, J.; Polimeni, A.
Title Strain-Induced Exciton Hybridization in WS2 Monolayers Unveiled by Zeeman-Splitting Measurements Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Physical review letters Abbreviated Journal
Volume 129 Issue 6 Pages 067402
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Mechanical deformations and ensuing strain are routinely exploited to tune the band gap energy and to enhance the functionalities of two-dimensional crystals. In this Letter, we show that strain leads also to a strong modification of the exciton magnetic moment in WS2 monolayers. Zeeman-splitting measurements under magnetic fields up to 28.5 T were performed on single, one-layer-thick WS2 microbubbles. The strain of the bubbles causes a hybridization of k-space direct and indirect excitons resulting in a sizable decrease in the modulus of they factor of the ground-state exciton. These findings indicate that strain may have major effects on the way the valley number of excitons can be used to process binary information in two-dimensional crystals.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000842367600007 Publication Date 2022-08-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0031-9007; 1079-7114 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198538 Serial 8936
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Pankratova, G.; Bollella, P.; Pankratov, D.; Gorton, L.
Title Supercapacitive biofuel cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Current opinion in biotechnology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 73 Issue Pages 179-187
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Supercapacitive biofuel cells' (SBFCs) most recent advancements are herein disclosed. In conventional SBFCs the biocomponent is employed as the pseudocapacitive component, while in self-charging biodevices it also works as the biocatalyst. The performance of different types of SBFCs are summarized according to the categorization based on the biocatalyst employed: supercapacitive microbial fuel cells (sMFCs), supercapacitive biophotovoltaics (SBPV) and supercapacitive enzymatic fuel cells (s-EFCs). SBFCs could be considered as promising 'alternative' energy devices (low-cost, environmentally friendly, and technically undemanding electric power sources etc.) being suitable for powering a new generation of miniaturized electronic applications.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000760339100024 Publication Date 2021-09-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0958-1669 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187287 Serial 8937
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Parrilla, M.; Detamornrat, U.; Domínguez-Robles, J.; Donnelly, R.F.; De Wael, K.
Title Wearable hollow microneedle sensing patches for the transdermal electrochemical monitoring of glucose Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Talanta : the international journal of pure and applied analytical chemistry Abbreviated Journal
Volume 249 Issue Pages 123695-123699
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract According to the World Health Organization, about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, with 1.5 million deaths directly attributed each year. Therefore, there is still a need to effectively monitor glucose in diabetic patients for proper management. Recently, wearable patches based on microneedle (MN) sensors provide minimally invasive analysis of glucose through the interstitial fluid (ISF) while exhibiting excellent correlation with blood glucose. Despite many advances in wearable electrochemical sensors, long-term stability and continuous monitoring remain unsolved challenges. Herein, we present a highly stable electrochemical biosensor based on a redox mediator bilayer consisting of Prussian blue and iron-nickel hexacyanoferrate to increase the long-term stability of the readout coupled with a hollow MN array as a sampling unit for ISF uptake. First, the enzymatic biosensor is developed by using affordable screen-printed electrodes (SPE) and optimized for long-term stability fitting the physiological range of glucose in ISF (i.e., 2.5–22.5 mM). In parallel, the MN array is assessed for minimally invasive piercing of the skin. Subsequently, the biosensor is integrated with the MN array leaving a microfluidic spacer that works as the electrochemical cell. Interestingly, a microfluidic channel connects the cell with an external syringe to actively and rapidly withdraw ISF toward the cell. Finally, the robust MN sensing patch is characterized during in vitro and ex vivo tests. Overall, affordable wearable MN-based patches for the continuous monitoring of glucose in ISF are providing an advent in wearable devices for rapid and life-threatening decision-making processes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000826441800002 Publication Date 2022-06-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0039-9140; 1873-3573 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188955 Serial 8955
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Parrilla, M.; Vanhooydonck, A.; Watts, R.; De Wael, K.
Title Wearable wristband-based electrochemical sensor for the detection of phenylalanine in biofluids Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Biosensors and bioelectronics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 197 Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Product development; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Wearable electrochemical sensors are driven by the user-friendly capability of on-site detection of key biomarkers for health management. Despite the advances in biomolecule monitoring such as glucose, still, several unmet clinical challenges need to be addressed. For example, patients suffering from phenylketonuria (PKU) should be able to monitor their phenylalanine (PHE) level in a rapid, decentralized, and affordable manner to avoid high levels of PHE in the body which can lead to a profound and irreversible mental disability. Herein, we report a wearable wristband electrochemical sensor for the monitoring of PHE tackling the necessity of controlling PHE levels in PHE hydroxylase deficiency patients. The proposed electrochemical sensor is based on a screen-printed electrode (SPE) modified with a membrane consisting of Nafion, to avoid interferences in biofluids. The membrane also consists of sodium 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate for the in situ derivatization of PHE into an electroactive product, allowing its electrochemical oxidation at the surface of the SPE in alkaline conditions. Importantly, the electrochemical sensor is integrated into a wristband configuration to enhance user interaction and engage the patient with PHE self-monitoring. Besides, a paper-based sampling strategy is designed to alkalinize the real sample without the need for sample pretreatment, and thus simplify the analytical process. Finally, the wearable device is tested for the determination of PHE in saliva and blood serum. The proposed wristband-based sensor is expected to impact the PKU self-monitoring, facilitating the daily lives of PKU patients toward optimal therapy and disease management.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000719366400003 Publication Date 2021-11-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0956-5663 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:183086 Serial 8957
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gao, Y.-J.; Jin, H.; Esteban, D.A.; Weng, B.; Saha, R.A.; Yang, M.-Q.; Bals, S.; Steele, J.A.; Huang, H.; Roeffaers, M.B.J.
Title 3D-cavity-confined CsPbBr₃ quantum dots for visible-light-driven photocatalytic C(sp³)-H bond activation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Carbon Energy Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages e559
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Metal halide perovskite (MHP) quantum dots (QDs) offer immense potential for several areas of photonics research due to their easy and low-cost fabrication and excellent optoelectronic properties. However, practical applications of MHP QDs are limited by their poor stability and, in particular, their tendency to aggregate. Here, we develop a two-step double-solvent strategy to grow and confine CsPbBr3 QDs within the three-dimensional (3D) cavities of a mesoporous SBA-16 silica scaffold (CsPbBr3@SBA-16). Strong confinement and separation of the MHP QDs lead to a relatively uniform size distribution, narrow luminescence, and good ambient stability over 2 months. In addition, the CsPbBr3@SBA-16 presents a high activity and stability for visible-light-driven photocatalytic toluene C(sp(3))-H bond activation to produce benzaldehyde with similar to 730 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) yield rate and near-unity selectivity. Similarly, the structural stability of CsPbBr3@SBA-16 QDs is superior to that of both pure CsPbBr3 QDs and those confined in MCM-41 with 1D channels.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001223583600001 Publication Date 2024-05-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2637-9368 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:206000 Serial 9133
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Yang, C.-Q.; Yin, Z.-W.; Li, W.; Cui, W.-J.; Zhou, X.-G.; Wang, L.-D.; Zhi, R.; Xu, Y.-Y.; Tao, Z.-W.; Sang, X.; Cheng, Y.-B.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Hu, Z.-Y.; Su, B.-L.
Title Atomically deciphering the phase segregation in mixed halide perovskite Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Advanced functional materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Mixed-halide perovskites show promising applications in tandem solar cells owing to their adjustable bandgap. One major obstacle to their commercialization is halide phase segregation, which results in large open-circuit voltage deficiency and J-V hysteresis. However, the ambiguous interplay between structural origin and phase segregation often results in aimless and unspecific optimization strategies for the device's performance and stability. An atomic scale is directly figured out the abundant Ruddlesden-Popper anti-phase boundaries (RP-APBs) within a CsPbIBr2 polycrystalline film and revealed that phase segregation predominantly occurs at RP-APB-enriched interfaces due to the defect-mediated lattice strain. By compensating their structural lead halide, such RP-APBs are eliminated, and the decreasing of strain can be observed, resulting in the suppression of halide phase segregation. The present work provides the deciphering to precisely regulate the perovskite atomic structure for achieving photo-stable mixed halide wide-bandgap perovskites of high-efficiency tandem solar cell commercial applications. The phase segregation in mixed halide perovskite film predominantly occurs at Ruddlesden-Popper anti-phase boundaries (RP-APBs)-enriched interfaces due to the defect-mediated lattice strain. The RP-APBs defects can be eliminated by compensating for their structural lead halide deficiency, resulting in the suppression of halide phase segregation. image
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001200673300001 Publication Date 2024-04-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1616-301x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205509 Serial 9134
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Lelouche, S.N.K.; Lemir, I.; Biglione, C.; Craig, T.; Bals, S.; Horcajada, P.
Title AuNP/MIL-88B-NH₂ nanocomposite for the valorization of nitroarene by green catalytic hydrogenation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Chemistry: a European journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The efficiency of a catalytic process is assessed based on conversion, yield, and time effectiveness. However, these parameters are insufficient for evaluating environmentally sustainable research. As the world is urged to shift towards green catalysis, additional factors such as reaction media, raw material availability, sustainability, waste minimization and catalyst biosafety, need to be considered to accurately determine the efficacy and sustainability of the process. By combining the high porosity and versatility of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and the activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), efficient, cyclable and biosafe composite catalysts can be achieved. Thus, a composite based on AuNPs and the nanometric flexible porous iron(III) aminoterephthalate MIL-88B-NH2 was successfully synthesized and fully characterized. This nanocomposite was tested as catalyst in the reduction of nitroarenes, which were identified as anthropogenic water pollutants, reaching cyclable high conversion rates at short times for different nitroarenes. Both synthesis and catalytic reactions were performed using green conditions, and even further tested in a time-optimizing one-pot synthesis and catalysis experiment. The sustainability and environmental impact of the catalytic conditions were assessed by green metrics. Thus, this study provides an easily implementable synthesis, and efficient catalysis, while minimizing the environmental and health impact of the process.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001204094600001 Publication Date 2024-03-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0947-6539 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205426 Serial 9135
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Deben, C.; Freire Boullosa, L.; Rodrigues Fortes, F.; Cardenas De La Hoz, E.; Le Compte, M.; Seghers, S.; Peeters, M.; Vanlanduit, S.; Lin, A.; Dijkstra, K.K.; Van Schil, P.; Hendriks, J.M.H.; Prenen, H.; Roeyen, G.; Lardon, F.; Smits, E.
Title Auranofin repurposing for lung and pancreatic cancer : low CA12 expression as a marker of sensitivity in patient-derived organoids, with potentiated efficacy by AKT inhibition Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 43 Issue 1 Pages 88-15
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Background This study explores the repurposing of Auranofin (AF), an anti-rheumatic drug, for treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) adenocarcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Drug repurposing in oncology offers a cost-effective and time-efficient approach to developing new cancer therapies. Our research focuses on evaluating AF's selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells, identifying RNAseq-based biomarkers to predict AF response, and finding the most effective co-therapeutic agents for combination with AF. Methods Our investigation employed a comprehensive drug screening of AF in combination with eleven anticancer agents in cancerous PDAC and NSCLC patient-derived organoids (n = 7), and non-cancerous pulmonary organoids (n = 2). Additionally, we conducted RNA sequencing to identify potential biomarkers for AF sensitivity and experimented with various drug combinations to optimize AF's therapeutic efficacy. Results The results revealed that AF demonstrates a preferential cytotoxic effect on NSCLC and PDAC cancer cells at clinically relevant concentrations below 1 µM, sparing normal epithelial cells. We identified Carbonic Anhydrase 12 (CA12) as a significant RNAseq-based biomarker, closely associated with the NF-κB survival signaling pathway, which is crucial in cancer cell response to oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that cancer cells with low CA12 expression are more susceptible to AF treatment. Furthermore, the combination of AF with the AKT inhibitor MK2206 was found to be particularly effective, exhibiting potent and selective cytotoxic synergy, especially in tumor organoid models classified as intermediate responders to AF, without adverse effects on healthy organoids. Conclusion Our research offers valuable insights into the use of AF for treating NSCLC and PDAC. It highlights AF's cancer cell selectivity, establishes CA12 as a predictive biomarker for AF sensitivity, and underscores the enhanced efficacy of AF when combined with MK2206 and other therapeutics. These findings pave the way for further exploration of AF in cancer treatment, particularly in identifying patient populations most likely to benefit from its use and in optimizing combination therapies for improved patient outcomes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001190581500001 Publication Date 2024-03-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1756-9966 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:204924 Serial 9136
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Wang, J.; Zhao, W.-S.; Hu, Y.; Filho, R.N.C.; Peeters, F.M.
Title Charged vacancy in graphene : interplay between Landau levels and atomic collapse resonances Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Physical review B Abbreviated Journal
Volume 109 Issue 10 Pages 104103-104106
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract The interplay between a magnetic field and the Coulomb potential from a charged vacancy on the electron states in graphene is investigated within the tight-binding model. The Coulomb potential removes locally Landau level degeneracy, while the vacancy introduces a satellite level next to the normal Landau level. These satellite levels are found throughout the positive-energy region, but in the negative-energy region, they turn into atomic collapse resonances. Crossings between Landau levels with different angular quantum number m are found. Unlike the point impurity system in which an anticrossing occurs between Landau levels of the same m, in this work anticrossing is found between the normal Landau level and the vacancy-induced level. The atomic collapse resonance hybridizes with the Landau levels. The charge at which the lowest Landau level m = -1, N = 1 crosses E = 0 increases with enhancing magnetic field. A Landau level scaling anomaly occurs when the charge is larger than the critical charge beta 0.6 and this critical charge is independent of the magnetic field.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001199561900008 Publication Date 2024-03-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2469-9969; 2469-9950 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205508 Serial 9137
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Osorio-Tejada, J.; Escriba-Gelonch, M.; Vertongen, R.; Bogaerts, A.; Hessel, V.
Title CO₂ conversion to CO via plasma and electrolysis : a techno-economic and energy cost analysis Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Energy & environmental science Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Electrification and carbon capture technologies are essential for achieving net-zero emissions in the chemical sector. A crucial strategy involves converting captured CO2 into CO, a valuable chemical feedstock. This study evaluates the feasibility of two innovative methods: plasma activation and electrolysis, using clean electricity and captured CO2. Specifically, it compares a gliding arc plasma reactor with an embedded novel carbon bed system to a modern zero-gap type low-temperature electrolyser. The plasma method stood out with an energy cost of 19.5 GJ per tonne CO, marking a 43% reduction compared to electrolysis and conventional methods. CO production costs for plasma- and electrolysis-based plants were $671 and $962 per tonne, respectively. However, due to high uncertainty regarding electrolyser costs, the CO production costs in electrolysis-based plants may actually range from $570 to $1392 per tonne. The carbon bed system in the plasma method was a key factor in facilitating additional CO generation from O-2 and enhancing CO2 conversion, contributing to its cost-effectiveness. Challenges for electrolysis included high costs of equipment and low current densities. Addressing these limitations could significantly decrease production costs, but challenges arise from the mutual relationship between intrinsic parameters, such as CO2 conversion, CO2 input flow, or energy cost. In a future scenario with affordable feedstocks and equipment, costs could drop below $500 per tonne for both methods. While this may be more challenging for electrolysis due to complexity and expensive catalysts, plasma-based CO production appears more viable and competitive.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001218045900001 Publication Date 2024-05-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1754-5692; 1754-5706 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205986 Serial 9138
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Ahmadi Eshtehardi, H.
Title Combined computational-experimental study on plasma and plasma catalysis for N2 fixation Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2024 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 160 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Humanity feels the urge of shifting to a sustainable society more than at any other time in its history. Electrification of chemical industry plays a key role in this transition. The possibility of producing fertilizers from air using renewable electricity, and simultaneously, no greenhouse gas emission, resulted in an increasing interest toward plasma technology as a solution for electrification of a part of the chemical industry in the past few years. Additionally, the activation of nitrogen molecules by vibrational and electronic excitation reactions in plasma can lead to an energy-efficient process. Last but not least, the modularity (fast on/off characteristic) of plasma technology makes it capable of using intermittent renewable electricity on site for the production of fertilizers using air. All these advantages offered by plasma technology make it a potential solution for the on-site production of fertilizers in small and decentralized plants using air and renewable electricity, which leads to a considerable reduction in fertilizer production and transportation costs. However, industrialization of plasma-based NF suffers from several challenges, including challenges of plasma catalysis for the selective production of desired species, the high energy cost of plasma-based NF compared to current industrial processes, and the design and development of scaled up and energy-efficient plasma reactors for industrial purposes. In the framework of this thesis we have tried to add to the state-of-the-art (SOTA) in plasma-based NOx production and deal with its limitations using a combination of experimental and modelling work.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2024-06-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205246 Serial 9139
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Yao, W.; Hui, C.; Wang, L.; Wang, J.; Gielis, J.; Shi, P.
Title Comparison of the performance of two polar equations in describing the geometries of elliptical fruits Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Botany letters Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp engineering, PhotoElectroChemistry & Sensing (A-PECS)
Abstract In nature, the two-dimensional (2D) profiles of fruits from many plants often resemble ellipses. However, it remains unclear whether these profiles strictly adhere to the ellipse equation, as many natural shapes resembling ellipses are actually better described as superellipses. The superellipse equation, which includes an additional parameter n compared to the ellipse equation, can generate a broader range of shapes, with the ellipse being just a special case of the superellipse. To investigate whether the 2D profiles of fruits are better described by ellipses or superellipses, we collected a total of 751 mature and undamaged fruits from 31 naturally growing plants of Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naud. Our analysis revealed that most adjusted root-mean-square errors (> 92% of the 751 fruits) for fitting the superellipse equation to the fruit profiles were consistently less than 0.0165. Furthermore, there were 638 of the 751 fruits (ca. 85%) with the 95% confidence intervals of the estimated parameter n in the superellipse equation not including 2. These findings suggest that the profiles of C. melo var. agrestis fruits align more closely with the superellipse equation than with the ellipse equation. This study provides evidence for the existence of the superellipse in fruit profiles, which has significant implications for studying fruit geometries and estimating fruit volumes using the solid of revolution formula. Furthermore, this discovery may contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving the evolution of fruit shapes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001219634500001 Publication Date 2024-05-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2381-8107; 2381-8115 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205955 Serial 9140
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Blagojević, J.; Mijin, S.D.; Bekaert, J.; Opačić, M.; Liu, Y.; Milošević, M.V.; Petrović, C.; Popović, Z.V.; Lazarević, N.
Title Competition of disorder and electron-phonon coupling in 2H-TaSe2-xSx (0≤x≤2) as evidenced by Raman spectroscopy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Physical review materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 8 Issue 2 Pages 024004-24008
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract The vibrational properties of 2H-TaSe<sub>2-x</sub>S<sub>x</sub> (0≤x≤2) single crystals were probed using Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The end members revealed two out of four symmetry-predicted Raman active modes, together with the pronounced two-phonon structure, attributable to the enhanced electron-phonon coupling. Additional peaks become observable due to crystallographic disorder for the doped samples. The evolution of the E<sub>2</sub>g<sup>2</sup> mode Fano parameter reveals that the disorder has a weak impact on electron-phonon coupling, which is also supported by the persistence of two-phonon structure in doped samples. As such, this research provides thorough insights into the lattice properties, the effects of crystallographic disorder on Raman spectra, and the interplay of this disorder with the electron-phonon coupling in 2H-TaSe<sub>2-x</sub>S<sub>x</sub> compounds.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001171649400004 Publication Date 2024-02-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2475-9953 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:204404 Serial 9141
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Khan, S.U.; Matshitse, R.; Borah, R.; Nemakal, M.; Moiseeva, E.O.; Dubinina, T.V.; Nyokong, T.; Verbruggen, S.W.; De Wael, K.
Title Coupling of phthalocyanines with plasmonic gold nanoparticles by click chemistry for an enhanced singlet oxygen based photoelectrochemical sensing Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication ChemElectroChem Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab); Antwerp engineering, PhotoElectroChemistry & Sensing (A-PECS)
Abstract Coupling photosensitizers (PSs) with plasmonic nanoparticles increases the photocatalytic activity of PSs as the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of plasmonic nanoparticles leads to extreme concentration of light in their vicinity known as the near-field enhancement effect. To realize this in a colloidal phase, efficient conjugation of the PS molecules with the plasmonic nanoparticle surface is critical. In this work, we demonstrate the coupling of phthalocyanine (Pc) molecules with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the colloidal phase via click chemistry. This conjugated Pc-AuNPs colloidal system is shown to enhance the photocatalytic singlet oxygen (1O2) production over non-conjugated Pcs and hence improve the photoelectrochemical detection of phenols. The plasmonic enhancement of the 1O2 generation by Pcs was clearly elucidated by complementary experimental and computational classical electromagnetic models. The dependence of plasmonic enhancement on the spectral position of the excitation laser wavelength and the absorbance of the Pc molecules with respect to the wavelength specific near-field enhancement is clearly demonstrated. A high similar to 8 times enhancement is obtained with green laser (532 nm) at the LSPR due to the maximum near-field enhancement at the resonance wavelength. Zinc phthalocyanine is covalently linked to plasmonic AuNPs via click chemistry to investigate the synergistic effect that boosts the overall activity toward the detection of HQ under visible light illumination. The 1O2 quantum yield of ZnPc improved significantly after conjugating with AuNPs, resulting in enhanced photoelectrochemical activity. image
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001214481000001 Publication Date 2024-05-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2196-0216 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205962 Serial 9142
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Author Cioni, M.; Delle Piane, M.; Polino, D.; Rapetti, D.; Crippa, M.; Arslan Irmak, E.; Pavan, G.M.; Van Aert, S.; Bals, S.
Title Data for Sampling Real‐Time Atomic Dynamics in Metal Nanoparticles by Combining Experiments, Simulations, and Machine Learning Type Dataset
Year 2024 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords Dataset; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Even at low temperatures, metal nanoparticles (NPs) possess atomic dynamics that are key for their properties but challenging to elucidate. Recent experimental advances allow obtaining atomic‐resolution snapshots of the NPs in realistic regimes, but data acquisition limitations hinder the experimental reconstruction of the atomic dynamics present within them. Molecular simulations have the advantage that these allow directly tracking the motion of atoms over time. However, these typically start from ideal/perfect NP structures and, suffering from sampling limits, provide results that are often dependent on the initial/putative structure and remain purely indicative. Here, by combining state‐of‐the‐art experimental and computational approaches, how it is possible to tackle the limitations of both approaches and resolve the atomistic dynamics present in metal NPs in realistic conditions is demonstrated. Annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy enables the acquisition of ten high‐resolution images of an Au NP at intervals of 0.6 s. These are used to reconstruct atomistic 3D models of the real NP used to run ten independent molecular dynamics simulations. Machine learning analyses of the simulation trajectories allows resolving the real‐time atomic dynamics present within the NP. This provides a robust combined experimental/computational approach to characterize the structural dynamics of metal NPs in realistic conditions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:205843 Serial 9143
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Author Morad, V.; Stelmakh, A.; Svyrydenko, M.; Feld, L.G.; Boehme, S.C.; Aebli, M.; Affolter, J.; Kaul, C.J.; Schrenker, N.J.; Bals, S.; Sahin, Y.; Dirin, D.N.; Cherniukh, I.; Raino, G.; Baumketner, A.; Kovalenko, M.V.
Title Designer phospholipid capping ligands for soft metal halide nanocrystals Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Nature Abbreviated Journal
Volume 626 Issue Pages 542-548
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The success of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) in science and optoelectronics is inextricable from their surfaces. The functionalization of lead halide perovskite NCs1-5 poses a formidable challenge because of their structural lability, unlike the well-established covalent ligand capping of conventional semiconductor NCs6,7. We posited that the vast and facile molecular engineering of phospholipids as zwitterionic surfactants can deliver highly customized surface chemistries for metal halide NCs. Molecular dynamics simulations implied that ligand-NC surface affinity is primarily governed by the structure of the zwitterionic head group, particularly by the geometric fitness of the anionic and cationic moieties into the surface lattice sites, as corroborated by the nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy data. Lattice-matched primary-ammonium phospholipids enhance the structural and colloidal integrity of hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites (FAPbBr3 and MAPbBr3 (FA, formamidinium; MA, methylammonium)) and lead-free metal halide NCs. The molecular structure of the organic ligand tail governs the long-term colloidal stability and compatibility with solvents of diverse polarity, from hydrocarbons to acetone and alcohols. These NCs exhibit photoluminescence quantum yield of more than 96% in solution and solids and minimal photoluminescence intermittency at the single particle level with an average ON fraction as high as 94%, as well as bright and high-purity (about 95%) single-photon emission. Phospholipids enhance the structural and colloidal integrity of hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskites and lead-free metal halide nanocrystals, which then exhibit enhanced robustness and optical properties.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001176943100001 Publication Date 2023-12-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0028-0836; 1476-4687 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved (up) no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:204796 Serial 9144
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