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“The mechanical behavior during (de)lithiation of coated silicon nanoparticles as anode material for lithium-ion batteries studied by InSitu transmission electron microscopy”. Van Havenbergh K, Turner S, Marx N, Van Tendeloo G, Energy technology 4, 1005 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1002/ENTE.201600057
Abstract: One approach to cope with the continuous irreversible capacity loss in Si-based electrodes, attributed to lithiation-induced volume changes and the formation of a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI), is by coating silicon nanoparticles. A coating can improve the conductivity of the electrode, form a chemical shield against the electrolyte, or provide mechanical confinement to reduce the volume increase. The influence of such a coating on the mechanical behavior of silicon nanoparticles during Li insertion and Li extraction was investigated by insitu transmission electron microscopy. The type of coating was shown to influence the size of the unreacted core that remains after reaction of silicon with lithium. Furthermore, two mechanisms to relieve the stress generated during volume expansion are reported: the initiation of cracks and the formation of nanovoids. Both result in a full reaction of the silicon nanoparticles, whereas with the formation of cracks, additional surface area is created, on which an SEI can be formed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.789
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1002/ENTE.201600057
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“Valorization of flue gas by combining photocatalytic gas pretreatment with microalgae production”. Van Eynde E, Lenaerts B, Tytgat T, Blust R, Lenaerts S, Environmental science and technology 50, 2538 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.EST.5B04824
Abstract: Utilization of flue gas for algae cultivation seems to be a promising route because flue gas from fossil-fuel combustion processes contains the high amounts of carbon (CO2) and nitrogen (NO) that are required for algae growth. NO is a poor nitrogen source for algae cultivation because of its low reactivity and solubility in water and its toxicity for algae at high concentrations. Here, we present a novel strategy to valorize NO from flue gas as feedstock for algae production by combining a photocatalytic gas pretreatment unit with a microalgal photobioreactor. The photocatalytic air pretreatment transforms NO gas into NO2 gas and thereby enhances the absorption of NO in the cultivation broth. The absorbed NOx will form NO2- and NO3- that can be used as a nitrogen source by algae. The effect of photocatalytic air pretreatment on the growth and biomass productivity of the algae Thalassiosira weissflogii in a semicontinuous system aerated with a model flue gas (1% CO2 and 50 ppm of NO) is investigated during a long-term experiment. The integrated system makes it possible to produce algae with NO from flue gas as the sole nitrogen source and reduces the NOx content in the exhaust gas by 84%.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.198
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.5B04824
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“Diatom silica-titania photocatalysts for air purification by bio-accumulation of different titanium sources”. Van Eynde E, Hu Z-Y, Tytgat T, Verbruggen SW, Watte J, Van Tendeloo G, Van Driessche I, Blust R, Lenaerts S, Environmental science : nano 3, 1052 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/C6EN00163G
Abstract: We present a green, biological production route for silica-titania photocatalysts using diatom microalgae. Diatoms are single-celled, eukaryotic microalgae (2-2000 mu m) that self-assemble soluble silicon (Si(OH)(4)) into intricate silica cell walls, called frustules. These diatom frustules are formed under ambient conditions and consist of hydrated silica with specific 3D morphologies and micro-meso or macroporosity. A remarkable characteristic of diatoms is their ability to bioaccumulate soluble titanium from cell culture medium and incorporate them into their nanostructured silica cell wall. Controlled cultivation of the diatom Pinnularia sp. on soluble titanium in a batch process resulted in the biological immobilisation of titanium dioxide in the porous 3D architecture of the frustules. Six different titanium sources are tested. The silica-titania frustules were isolated by treating the harvested Pinnularia cells with nitric acid (65%) or by high temperature treatment. Thermal annealing converted the amorphous titania into crystalline titania. The produced silica-titania material is evaluated towards photocatalytic activity for acetaldehyde (C2H4O) abatement. Frustules cultivated with TiBaldH showed the highest photocatalytic performance. Comparison of the photocatalytic activity with P25 reveals that P25 has a 4 fold higher photocatalytic activity, but when photocatalytic activity is normalized for titania content, the frustules show double activity. Further material characterization (morphology, crystallinity, surface area and elemental distribution) of the TiBaldH silica-titania frustules provides additional insight into their structure-activity relationship. These natural biosilicatitania materials have excellent properties for photocatalytic purposes, including high surface area (108 m(2) g(-1)) and good porosity, and show reliable immobilization of TiO2 in the ordered structure of the diatom frustule.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.047
Times cited: 7
DOI: 10.1039/C6EN00163G
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“Current-induced birefringent absorption and non-reciprocal plasmons in graphene”. Van Duppen B, Tomadin A, Grigorenko AN, Polini M, 2D materials 3, 015011 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/3/1/015011
Abstract: We present extensive calculations of the optical and plasmonic properties of a graphene sheet carrying a dc current. By calculating analytically the density-density response function of current-carrying states at finite temperature, we demonstrate that an applied dc current modifies the Pauli blocking mechanism and that absorption acquires a birefringent character with respect to the angle between the in-plane light polarization and current flow. Employing the random phase approximation at finite temperature, we show that graphene plasmons display a degree of non-reciprocity and collimation that can be tuned with the applied current. We discuss the possibility to measure these effects.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 6.937
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1088/2053-1583/3/1/015011
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Van Duppen B (2016) Plasmonics in graphene and related materials. Antwerpen
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
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“Shape Control of Colloidal Cu2-x S Polyhedral Nanocrystals by Tuning the Nucleation Rates”. van der Stam W, Gradmann S, Altantzis T, Ke X, Baldus M, Bals S, de Mello Donega C, Chemistry of materials 28, 6705 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03098
Abstract: Synthesis protocols for colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) with narrow size and shape distributions are of particular interest for the successful implementation of these nanocrystals into devices. Moreover, the preparation of NCs with well-defined crystal phases is of key importance. In this work, we show that Sn(IV)-thiolate complexes formed in situ strongly influence the nucleation and growth rates of colloidal Cu2-x S polyhedral NCs, thereby dictating their final size, shape, and crystal structure. This allowed us to successfully synthesize hexagonal bifrustums and hexagonal bipyramid NCs with low-chalcocite crystal structure, and hexagonal nanoplatelets with various thicknesses and aspect ratios with the djurleite crystal structure, by solely varying the concentration of Sn(IV)-additives (namely, SnBr4) in the reaction medium. Solution and solid-state 119Sn NMR measurements show that SnBr4 is converted in situ to Sn(IV)-thiolate complexes, which increase the Cu2-x S nucleation barrier without affecting the precursor conversion rates. This influences both the nucleation and growth rates in a concentration-dependent fashion and leads to a better separation between nucleation and growth. Our approach of tuning the nucleation and growth rates with in situ-generated Sn-thiolate complexes might have a more general impact due to the availability of various metal-thiolate complexes, possibly resulting in polyhedral NCs of a wide variety of metal-sulfide compositions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 27
DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemmater.6b03098
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“Exploring a hidden painting below the surface of Rene Magritte's Le Portrait”. van der Snickt G, Martins A, Delaney J, Janssens K, Zeibel J, Duffy M, McGlinchey C, Van Driel B, Dik J, Applied spectroscopy 70, 57 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1177/0003702815617123
Abstract: Two state-of-the-art methods for non-invasive visualization of subsurface (or overpainted) pictorial layers present in painted works of art are employed to study Le portrait, painted by Belgian artist Rene Magritte in 1935. X-ray radiography, a commonly used method for the nondestructive inspection of paintings, had revealed the presence of an underlying figurative composition, part of an earlier Magritte painting entitled La pose enchantee (1927) which originally depicted two full length nude female figures with exaggerated facial features. On the one hand, macroscopic X-ray fluorescence analysis (MA-XRF), a method capable of providing information on the distribution of the key chemical elements present in many artists' pigments, was employed. The ability of the X-rays to penetrate the upper layer of paint enabled the imaging of the facial features of the female figure and provided information on Magritte's palette for both surface and hidden composition. On the other hand, visible and near infrared hyperspectral imaging spectroscopies in transmission mode were also used, especially in the area of the table cloth in order to look through the upper representation and reveal the pictorial layer(s) below. MA-XRF provided elemental information on the pigment distributions in both the final painting and the prior whereas the transmission mode provided information related to preparatory sketches as well as revealing differences between the paints used in both compositions. These results illustrate very well the manner in which the two imaging methods complement each other, both in the sense of providing different types of information on the nature and presence of paint components/pigments and in the sense of being optimally suited to easily penetrate through different types of overpaint.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 1.529
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1177/0003702815617123
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“Chemical imaging of stained-glass windows by means of macro X-ray fluorescence (MA-XRF) scanning”. van der Snickt G, Legrand S, Caen J, Vanmeert F, Alfeld M, Janssens K, Microchemical journal 124, 615 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.MICROC.2015.10.010
Abstract: Since the recent development of a mobile setup, MA-XRF scanning proved a valuable tool for the non-invasive, technical study of paintings. In this work, the applicability of MA-XRF scanning for investigating stained-glass windows inside a conservation studio is assessed by analysis of a high-profile, well-studied late-mediaeval panel. Although accurate quantification of components is not feasible with this analytical imaging technique, plotting the detected intensities of K versus Ca in a scatter plot allowed distinguishing glass fragments of different compositional types within the same panel. In particular, clusters in the Ca/K correlation plot revealed the presence of two subtypes of potash glass and three subtypes of high lime low alkali glass. MA-XRF results proved consistent with previous quantitative SEM-EDX analysis on two samples and analytical-based theories on glass production in the Low Countries formulated in literature. A bi-plot of the intensities of the more energetic Rb-K versus Sr-K emission lines yielded a similar glass type differentiation and is here presented as suitable alternative in case the Ca/K signal ratio is affected by superimposed weathering crusts. Apart from identification of the chromophores responsible for the green, blue and red glass colors, contrasting the associated elemental distribution maps obtained on the exterior and interior side of the glass permitted discriminating between colored pot metal glass and multi-layered flashed glass as well. Finally, the benefit of obtaining compositional information from the entire surface, as opposed to point analysis, was illustrated by the discovery of what appears to be a green cobalt glass a feature that was previously missed on this well-studied stained-glass window, both by connoisseurs and spectroscopic sample analysis. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES)
Impact Factor: 3.034
Times cited: 22
DOI: 10.1016/J.MICROC.2015.10.010
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“Effect of lipid peroxidation on membrane permeability of cancer and normal cells subjected to oxidative stress”. Van der Paal J, Neyts EC, Verlackt CCW, Bogaerts A, Chemical science 7, 489 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/C5SC02311D
Abstract: We performed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effect of lipid peroxidation products on the structural and dynamic properties of the cell membrane. Our simulations predict that the lipid order in a phospholipid bilayer, as a model system for the cell membrane, decreases upon addition of lipid peroxidation products. Eventually, when all phospholipids are oxidized, pore formation can occur. This will allow reactive species, such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), to enter the cell and cause oxidative damage to intracellular macromolecules, such as DNA or proteins. On the other hand, upon increasing the cholesterol fraction of lipid bilayers, the cell membrane order increases, eventually reaching a certain threshold, from which cholesterol is able to protect the membrane against pore formation. This finding is crucial for cancer treatment by plasma technology, producing a large number of RONS, as well as for other cancer treatment methods that cause an increase in the concentration of extracellular RONS. Indeed, cancer cells contain less cholesterol than their healthy counterparts. Thus, they will be more vulnerable to the consequences of lipid peroxidation, eventually enabling the penetration of RONS into the interior of the cell, giving rise to oxidative stress, inducing pro-apoptotic factors. This provides, for the first time, molecular level insight why plasma can selectively treat cancer cells, while leaving their healthy counterparts undamaged, as is indeed experimentally demonstrated.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 8.668
Times cited: 106
DOI: 10.1039/C5SC02311D
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“Comment on “Creating in-plane pseudomagnetic fields in excess of 1000 T by misoriented stacking in a graphene bilayer””. Van der Donck M, Peeters FM, Van Duppen B, Physical review B 93, 247401 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.93.247401
Abstract: In a recent paper [Phys. Rev. B 89, 125418 (2014)], the authors argue that it is possible to map the electronic properties of twisted bilayer graphene to those of bilayer graphene in an in-plane magnetic field. However, their description of the low-energy dynamics of twisted bilayer graphene is restricted to the extended zone scheme and therefore neglects the effects of the superperiodic structure. If the energy spectrum is studied in the supercell Brillouin zone, we find that the comparison with an in-plane magnetic field fails because (i) the energy spectra of the two situations exhibit different symmetries and (ii) the low-energy spectra are very different.
Keywords: Editorial; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.93.247401
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“Transport properties of bilayer graphene in a strong in-plane magnetic field”. Van der Donck M, Peeters FM, Van Duppen B, Physical review B 93, 115423 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.93.115423
Abstract: A strong in-plane magnetic field drastically alters the low-energy spectrum of bilayer graphene by separating the parabolic energy dispersion into two linear Dirac cones. The effect of this dramatic change on the transport properties strongly depends on the orientation of the in-plane magnetic field with respect to the propagation direction of the charge carriers and the angle at which they impinge on the electrostatic potentials. For magnetic fields oriented parallel to the potential boundaries an additional propagating mode that results from the splitting into Dirac cones enhances the transmission probability for charge carriers tunneling through the potentials and increases the corresponding conductance. Our results show that the chiral suppression of transmission at normal incidence, reminiscent of bilayer graphene's 2 pi Berry phase, is turned into a chiral enhancement when the magnetic field increases, thus indicating a transition from a bilayer to a monolayer-like system at normal incidence. Further, we find that the typical transmission resonances stemming from confinement in a potential barrier are shifted to higher energy and are eventually transformed into antiresonances with increasing magnetic field. For magnetic fields oriented perpendicular to the potential boundaries we find a very pronounced transition from a bilayer system to two separated monolayer-like systems with Klein tunneling emerging at certain incident angles symmetric around 0, which also leaves a signature in the conductance. For both orientations of the magnetic field, the transmission probability is still correctly described by pseudospin conservation. Finally, to motivate the large in-plane magnetic field, we show that its energy spectrum can be mimicked by specific lattice deformations such as a relative shift of one of the layers. With this equivalence we introduce the notion of an in-plane pseudomagnetic field.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.93.115423
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“Piezoelectricity in asymmetrically strained bilayer graphene”. Van der Donck M, De Beule C, Partoens B, Peeters FM, Van Duppen B, 2D materials 3, 035015 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/3/3/035015
Abstract: We study the electronic properties of commensurate faulted bilayer graphene by diagonalizing the one-particle Hamiltonian of the bilayer system in a complete basis of Bloch states of the individual graphene layers. Our novel approach is very general and can be easily extended to any commensurate graphene-based heterostructure. Here, we consider three cases: (i) twisted bilayer graphene, (ii) bilayer graphene where triaxial stress is applied to one layer and (iii) bilayer graphene where uniaxial stress is applied to one layer. We show that the resulting superstructures can be divided into distinct classes, depending on the twist angle or the magnitude of the induced strain. The different classes are distinguished from each other by the interlayer coupling mechanism, resulting in fundamentally different low-energy physics. For the cases of triaxial and uniaxial stress, the individual graphene layers tend to decouple and we find significant charge transfer between the layers. In addition, this piezoelectric effect can be tuned by applying a perpendicular electric field. Finally, we show how our approach can be generalized to multilayer systems.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 6.937
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1088/2053-1583/3/3/035015
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“Silicene nanoribbons on transition metal dichalcogenide substrates : effects on electronic structure and ballistic transport”. van den Broek B, Houssa M, Lu A, Pourtois G, Afanas'ev V, Stesmans A, Nano Research 9, 3394 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1007/S12274-016-1217-4
Abstract: The idea of stacking multiple monolayers of different two-dimensional materials has become a global pursuit. In this work, a silicene armchair nanoribbon of width W and van der Waals-bonded to different transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) bilayer substrates MoX2 and WX2, where X = S, Se, Te is considered. The orbital resolved electronic structure and ballistic transport properties of these systems are simulated by employing van der Waals-corrected density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's functions. We find that the lattice mismatch with the underlying substrate determines the electronic structure, correlated with the silicene buckling distortion and ultimately with the contact resistance of the two-terminal system. The smallest lattice mismatch, obtained with the MoTe2 substrate, results in the silicene ribbon properties coming close to those of a freestanding one. With the TMD bilayer acting as a dielectric layer, the electronic structure is tunable from a direct to an indirect semiconducting layer, and subsequently to a metallic electronic dispersion layer, with a moderate applied perpendicular electric field.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 7.354
Times cited: 2
DOI: 10.1007/S12274-016-1217-4
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“Functional silicene and stanene nanoribbons compared to graphene: electronic structure and transport”. van den Broek B, Houssa M, Iordanidou K, Pourtois G, Afanas'ev VV, Stesmans A, 2D materials 3, 015001 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/3/1/015001
Abstract: Since the advent of graphene, other 2D materials have garnered interest; notably the single element materials silicene, germanene, and stanene. Weinvestigate the ballistic current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of armchair silicene and stanene armchair nanoribbons (AXNRs with X = Si, Sn) using a combination of density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's functions. The impact of out-of-plane electric field and in-plane uniaxial strain on the ribbon geometries, electronic structure, and (I-V)s are considered and contrasted with graphene. Since silicene and stanene are sp(2)/sp(3) buckled layers, the electronic structure can be tuned by an electric field that breaks the sublattice symmetry, an effect absent in graphene. This decreases the current by similar to 50% for Sn, since it has the largest buckling. Uniaxial straining of the ballistic channel affects the AXNR electronic structure in multiple ways: it changes the bandgap and associated effective carrier mass, and creates a local buckling distortion at the lead-channel interface which induces a interface dipole. Due to the increasing sp(3) hybridization character with increasing element mass, large reconstructions rectify the strained systems, an effect absent in sp(2) bonded graphene. This results in a smaller strain effect on the current: a decrease of 20% for Sn at 15% tensile strain compared to a similar to 75% decrease for C.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 6.937
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1088/2053-1583/3/1/015001
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“Unscrambling Mixed Elements using High Angle Annular Dark Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy”. van den Bos KH W, De Backer A, Martinez GT, Winckelmans N, Bals S, Nellist PD, Van Aert S, Physical review letters 116, 246101 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.246101
Abstract: The development of new nanocrystals with outstanding physicochemical properties requires a full threedimensional (3D) characterization at the atomic scale. For homogeneous nanocrystals, counting the number of atoms in each atomic column from high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images has been shown to be a successful technique to get access to this 3D information. However, technologically important nanostructures often consist of more than one chemical element. In order to extend atom counting to heterogeneous materials, a new atomic lensing model is presented. This model takes dynamical electron diffraction into account and opens up new possibilities for unraveling the 3D composition at the atomic scale. Here, the method is applied to determine the 3D structure of Au@Ag core-shell nanorods, but it is applicable to a wide range of heterogeneous complex nanostructures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.462
Times cited: 46
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.246101
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“Locating light and heavy atomic column positions with picometer precision using ISTEM”. van den Bos KHW, Krause FF, Béché, A, Verbeeck J, Rosenauer A, Van Aert S, Ultramicroscopy 172, 75 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultramic.2016.10.003
Abstract: Recently, imaging scanning transmission electron microscopy (ISTEM) has been proposed as a promising new technique combining the advantages of conventional TEM (CTEM) and STEM [1]. The ability to visualize light and heavy elements together makes it a particularly interesting new, spatially incoherent imaging mode. Here, we evaluate this technique in term of precision with which atomic column locations can be measured. By using statistical parameter estimation theory, we will show that these locations can be accurately measured with a precision in the picometer range. Furthermore, a quantitative comparison is made with HAADF STEM imaging to investigate the advantages of ISTEM.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 2.843
Times cited: 8
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2016.10.003
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“Polydopamine-gelatin as universal cell-interactive coating for methacrylate-based medical device packaging materials : when surface chemistry overrules substrate bulk properties”. Van de Walle E, Van Nieuwenhove I, Vanderleyden E, Declercq H, Gellynck K, Schaubroeck D, Ottevaere H, Thienpont H, De Vos WH, Cornelissen M, Van Vlierberghe S, Dubruel P, Biomacromolecules 17, 56 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.BIOMAC.5B01094
Abstract: Despite its widespread application in the fields of ophthalmology, orthopedics and dentistry and the stringent need for polymer packagings that induce in vivo tissue integration, the full potential of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its derivatives as medical device packaging material has not been explored yet. We therefore elaborated on the development of a universal coating for methacrylate-based materials which ideally should reveal cell-interactivity irrespective of the polymer substrate bulk properties. Within this perspective, the present work reports on the UV-induced synthesis of PMMA and its more flexible poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG)-based derivative (PMMAPEG) and its subsequent surface decoration using polydopamine (PDA) as well as PDA combined with gelatin B (Gel B). Successful application of both layers was confirmed by multiple surface characterization techniques. The cell interactivity of the materials was studied by performing live-dead assays and immunostainings of the cytoskeletal components of fibroblasts. It can be concluded that only the combination of PDA and Gel B yields materials posessing similar cell interactivities, irrespective of the physicochemical properties of the underlying substrate. The proposed coating outperforms both the PDA functionalized and the pristine polymer surfaces. A universal cell-interactive coating for methacrylate-based medical device packaging materials has thus been realized.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.BIOMAC.5B01094
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“Inter-ribbon tunneling in graphene: An atomistic Bardeen approach”. Van de Put ML, Vandenberghe WG, Sorée B, Magnus W, Fischetti MV, Journal of applied physics 119, 214306 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4953148
Abstract: A weakly coupled system of two crossed graphene nanoribbons exhibits direct tunneling due to the overlap of the wavefunctions of both ribbons. We apply the Bardeen transfer Hamiltonian formalism, using atomistic band structure calculations to account for the effect of the atomic structure on the tunneling process. The strong quantum-size confinement of the nanoribbons is mirrored by the one-dimensional character of the electronic structure, resulting in properties that differ significantly from the case of inter-layer tunneling, where tunneling occurs between bulk two-dimensional graphene sheets. The current-voltage characteristics of the inter-ribbon tunneling structures exhibit resonance, as well as stepwise increases in current. Both features are caused by the energetic alignment of one-dimensional peaks in the density-of-states of the ribbons. Resonant tunneling occurs if the sign of the curvature of the coupled energy bands is equal, whereas a step-like increase in the current occurs if the signs are opposite. Changing the doping modulates the onset-voltage of the effects as well as their magnitude. Doping through electrostatic gating makes these structures promising for application towards steep slope switching devices. Using the atomistic empirical pseudopotentials based Bardeen transfer Hamiltonian method, inter-ribbon tunneling can be studied for the whole range of two-dimensional materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides. The effects of resonance and of step-like increases in the current we observe in graphene ribbons are also expected in ribbons made from these alternative two-dimensional materials, because these effects are manifestations of the one-dimensional character of the density-of-states. Published by AIP Publishing.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.068
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1063/1.4953148
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Van de Put ML (2016) Modeling of quantum electron transport with applications in energy filtering nanostructures. Antwerpen
Keywords: Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
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“Advanced electron crystallography through model-based imaging”. Van Aert S, De Backer A, Martinez GT, den Dekker AJ, Van Dyck D, Bals S, Van Tendeloo G, IUCrJ 3, 71 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1107/S2052252515019727
Abstract: The increasing need for precise determination of the atomic arrangement of non-periodic structures in materials design and the control of nanostructures explains the growing interest in quantitative transmission electron microscopy. The aim is to extract precise and accurate numbers for unknown structure parameters including atomic positions, chemical concentrations and atomic numbers. For this purpose, statistical parameter estimation theory has been shown to provide reliable results. In this theory, observations are considered purely as data planes, from which structure parameters have to be determined using a parametric model describing the images. As such, the positions of atom columns can be measured with a precision of the order of a few picometres, even though the resolution of the electron microscope is still one or two orders of magnitude larger. Moreover, small differences in average atomic number, which cannot be distinguished visually, can be quantified using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. In addition, this theory allows one to measure compositional changes at interfaces, to count atoms with single-atom sensitivity, and to reconstruct atomic structures in three dimensions. This feature article brings the reader up to date, summarizing the underlying theory and highlighting some of the recent applications of quantitative model-based transmisson electron microscopy.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 5.793
Times cited: 30
DOI: 10.1107/S2052252515019727
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“Heterogeneous conjugation of vegetable oil with alkaline treated highly dispersed Ru/USY catalysts”. Van Aelst J, Philippaerts A, Turner S, Van Tendeloo G, Jacobs P, Sels B, Applied catalysis : A : general 526, 172 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.APCATA.2016.08.026
Abstract: Heterogeneous metal catalysts enable the direct conjugation of linoleic acid tails in vegetable oil to their conjugated linoleic acid (CIA) isomers. CIA-enriched oils are useful as renewable feedstock for the chemical industry and as nutraceutical. Up to now, a solvent-free process for conjugated oils without significant formation of undesired hydrogenation products was not existing. This work shows the design of Ru/USY catalysts able to directly conjugate highly unsaturated vegetable oils such as safflower oil in absence of solvent and hydrogen. Key is fast molecular transport of the bulky reagent and reactive product triglycerides in the zeolite crystal. A two-step zeolite post-synthetic treatment (with NH4OH and acetate salt) was applied to create the necessary mesoporosity. More open zeolite structures allow for a faster conjugation reaction, while securing a fast removal of the reactive conjugated triglycerides, otherwise rapidly deactivating through fouling and pore blockage by polymers. The best Ru/USY catalyst in this contribution is capable of producing exceptionally high yields of conjugated oils, containing up to almost 30 wt% conjugated fatty acid tails in safflower oil, at an initial production rate of 328 g(CLA) mL(-1) h(-1) per gram metal catalyst. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.339
Times cited: 1
DOI: 10.1016/J.APCATA.2016.08.026
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“Towards biolubricant compatible vegetable oils by pore mouth hydrogenation with shape-selective Pt/ZSM-5 catalysts”. Van Aelst J, Philippaerts A, Bartholomeeusen E, Fayad E, Thibault-Starzyk F, Lu J, Schryvers D, Ooms R, Verboekend D, Jacobs P, Sels B, Catalysis science &, technology 6, 2820 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/C6CY00498A
Abstract: Pt/ZSM-5 catalysts with various crystal sizes were prepared via competitive ion-exchange, followed by a slow activation procedure. Even when using very large ZSM-5 crystals, highly dispersed Pt nano-clusters were contained within the zeolite crystal's voids, as ascertained by 2D pressure-jump IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO and focussed ion-beam transmission electron microscopy. The shape-selective properties of the Pt/ZSM-5 catalysts were evaluated in the partial hydrogenation of soybean oil. Unique hydrogenation selectivities were observed, as the fatty acids located at the central position of the triacylglycerol (TAG) molecules were preferentially hydrogenated. The resulting oil has therefore high levels of intermediately melting TAGs, which are compatible with biolubricants due to their improved oxidative stability and still appropriate low-temperature fluidity. The TAG distribution in the partially hydrogenated soybean oil samples was independent from the zeolite crystal size, while the hydrogenation activity linearly increases with the crystal's external surface area. This trend was confirmed with a Pt loaded mesoporous ZSM-5 zeolite, obtained via a mild alkaline treatment. These observations imply and confirm a genuine pore mouth catalysis mechanism, in which only one fatty acid chain of the TAG is able to enter the micropores of ZSM-5, where the double bonds are hydrogenated by the crystal encapsulated Pt-clusters.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.773
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1039/C6CY00498A
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“Superconductivity between standard types: Multiband versus single-band materials”. Vagov A, Shanenko AA, Milošević, MV, Axt VM, Vinokur VM, Aguiar JA, Peeters FM, Physical review B 93, 174503 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.93.174503
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 37
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.93.174503
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“Direct imaging of boron segregation at dislocations in B:diamond heteroepitaxial films”. Turner S, Idrissi H, Sartori AF, Korneychuck S, Lu Y-G, Verbeeck J, Schreck M, Van Tendeloo G, Nanoscale 8, 2212 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1039/c5nr07535a
Abstract: A thin film of heavily B-doped diamond has been grown epitaxially by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition on an undoped diamond layer, on top of a Ir/YSZ/Si(001) substrate stack, to study the boron segregation and boron environment at the dislocations present in the film. The density and nature of the dislocations were investigated by conventional and weak-beam dark-field transmission electron microscopy techniques, revealing the presence of two types of dislocations: edge and mixed-type 45 degrees dislocations. The presence and distribution of B in the sample was studied using annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Using these techniques, a segregation of B at the dislocations in the film is evidenced, which is shown to be intermittent along the dislocation. A single edge-type dislocation was selected to study the distribution of the boron surrounding the dislocation core. By imaging this defect at atomic resolution, the boron is revealed to segregate towards the tensile strain field surrounding the edge-type dislocations. An investigation of the fine structure of the B-K edge at the dislocation core shows that the boron is partially substitutionally incorporated into the diamond lattice and partially present in a lower coordination (sp(2)-like hybridization).
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.367
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07535a
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“Hollow Cone Electron Imaging for Single Particle 3D Reconstruction of Proteins”. Tsai C-Y, Chang Y-C, Lobato I, Van Dyck D, Chen F-R, Scientific reports 6, 27701 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1038/srep27701
Abstract: The main bottlenecks for high-resolution biological imaging in electron microscopy are radiation sensitivity and low contrast. The phase contrast at low spatial frequencies can be enhanced by using a large defocus but this strongly reduces the resolution. Recently, phase plates have been developed to enhance the contrast at small defocus but electrical charging remains a problem. Single particle cryo-electron microscopy is mostly used to minimize the radiation damage and to enhance the resolution of the 3D reconstructions but it requires averaging images of a massive number of individual particles. Here we present a new route to achieve the same goals by hollow cone dark field imaging using thermal diffuse scattered electrons giving about a 4 times contrast increase as compared to bright field imaging. We demonstrate the 3D reconstruction of a stained GroEL particle can yield about 13.5 A resolution but using a strongly reduced number of images.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Impact Factor: 4.259
DOI: 10.1038/srep27701
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“A 3D model of a reverse vortex flow gliding arc reactor”. Trenchev G, Kolev S, Bogaerts A, Plasma sources science and technology 25, 035014 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1088/0963-0252/25/3/035014
Abstract: In this computational study, a gliding arc plasma reactor with a reverse-vortex flow stabilization is modelled for the first time by a fluid plasma description. The plasma reactor operates with argon gas at atmospheric pressure. The gas flow is simulated using the k-ε Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes turbulent model. A quasi-neutral fluid plasma model is used for computing the plasma properties. The plasma arc movement in the reactor is observed, and the results for the gas flow, electrical characteristics, plasma density, electron temperature, and gas temperature are analyzed.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 3.302
Times cited: 20
DOI: 10.1088/0963-0252/25/3/035014
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“Attaching redox proteins onto electrode surfaces by bis-silane”. Trashin S, De Jong M, Meynen V, Dewilde S, De Wael K, ChemElectroChem 3, 1035 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1002/CELC.201600021
Abstract: Immobilization of redox proteins on electrode surfaces is of special interest for mechanistic studies and applications because of a well-controlled redox state of protein molecules by a polarized electrode and fast electron transfer kinetics, free from diffusion limitation. Here, bis-organosilane (1,2-bis(trimethoxysilyl)ethane) was applied as a fresh solution in a pH 7 phosphate buffer without use of any organic solvent, sol-gel or mesoporous bulk matrix. A short aging period of 30 minutes before deposition on the electrodes was optimal for the immobilization of proteins. Three redox proteins (cytochrome c, neuroglobin and GLB-12) were confined to the gold surface of electrodes with high coverages and stability, indicating that the suggested technique is simple, efficient and generic in nature.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 4.136
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1002/CELC.201600021
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“Electrochemical evidence for neuroglobin activity on NO at physiological concentrations”. Trashin S, De Jong M, Luyckx E, Dewilde S, De Wael K, Journal of biological chemistry 291, 18959 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1074/JBC.M116.730176
Abstract: The true function of neuroglobin (Ngb) and, particularly, human Ngb (NGB) has been under debate since its discovery 15 years ago. It has been expected to play a role in oxygen binding/supply, but a variety of other functions have been put forward, including NO dioxygenase activity. However, in vitro studies that could unravel these potential roles have been hampered by the lack of an Ngb-specific reductase. In this work, we used electrochemical measurements to investigate the role of an intermittent internal disulfide bridge in determining NO oxidation kinetics at physiological NO concentrations. The use of a polarized electrode to efficiently interconvert the ferric (Fe3+) and ferrous (Fe2+) forms of an immobilized NGB showed that the disulfide bridge both defines the kinetics of NO dioxygenase activity and regulates appearance of the free ferrous deoxy-NGB, which is the redox active form of the protein in contrast to oxy-NGB. Our studies further identified a role for the distal histidine, interacting with the hexacoordinated iron atom of the heme, in oxidation kinetics. These findings may be relevant in vivo, for example in blocking apoptosis by reduction of ferric cytochrome c, and gentle tuning of NO concentration in the tissues.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 4.125
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1074/JBC.M116.730176
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“Optical properties of GaS-Ca(OH)2 bilayer heterostructure”. Torun E, Sahin H, Peeters FM, Physical review B 93, 075111 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.93.075111
Abstract: Finding novel atomically thin heterostructures and understanding their characteristic properties are critical for developing better nanoscale optoelectronic devices. In this study, we investigate the electronic and optical properties of a GaS-Ca(OH)(2) heterostructure using first-principle calculations. The band gap of the GaS-Ca(OH)(2) heterostructure is significantly reduced when compared to those of the isolated constituent layers. Our calculations showthat the GaS-Ca(OH)(2) heterostructure is a type-II heterojunction which can be used to separate photoinduced charge carriers where electrons are localized in GaS and holes in the Ca(OH)(2) layer. This leads to spatially indirect excitons which are important for solar energy and optoelectronic applications due to their long lifetime. By solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation on top of a single shot GW calculation (G(0)W(0)), the dielectric function and optical oscillator strength of the constituent monolayers and the heterostructure are obtained. The oscillator strength of the optical transition for the GaS monolayer is an order of magnitude larger than the Ca(OH)(2) monolayer. We also found that the calculated optical spectra of different stacking types of the heterostructure show dissimilarities, although their electronic structures are rather similar. This prediction can be used to determine the stacking type of ultrathin heterostructures.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.836
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.93.075111
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“Anisotropic electronic, mechanical, and optical properties of monolayer WTe2”. Torun E, Sahin H, Cahangirov S, Rubio A, Peeters FM, Journal of applied physics 119, 074307 (2016). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4942162
Abstract: Using first-principles calculations, we investigate the electronic, mechanical, and optical properties of monolayer WTe2. Atomic structure and ground state properties of monolayer WTe2 (T-d phase) are anisotropic which are in contrast to similar monolayer crystals of transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, WS2, MoSe2, WSe2, and MoTe2, which crystallize in the H-phase. We find that the Poisson ratio and the in-plane stiffness is direction dependent due to the symmetry breaking induced by the dimerization of the W atoms along one of the lattice directions of the compound. Since the semimetallic behavior of the T-d phase originates from this W-W interaction (along the a crystallographic direction), tensile strain along the dimer direction leads to a semimetal to semiconductor transition after 1% strain. By solving the Bethe-Salpeter equation on top of single shot G(0)W(0) calculations, we predict that the absorption spectrum of T-d-WTe2 monolayer is strongly direction dependent and tunable by tensile strain. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.068
Times cited: 62
DOI: 10.1063/1.4942162
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