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“Co valence transformation in isopolar LaCoO3/LaTiO3 perovskite heterostructures via interfacial engineering”. Araizi-Kanoutas G, Geessinck J, Gauquelin N, Smit S, Verbeek XH, Mishra SK, Bencok P, Schlueter C, Lee T-L, Krishnan D, Fatermans J, Verbeeck J, Rijnders G, Koster G, Golden MS, Physical review materials 4, 026001 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.4.026001
Abstract: We report charge transfer up to a single electron per interfacial unit cell across nonpolar heterointerfaces from the Mott insulator LaTiO3 to the charge transfer insulator LaCoO3. In high-quality bi- and trilayer systems grown using pulsed laser deposition, soft x-ray absorption, dichroism, and scanning transmission electron microscopy-electron energy loss spectroscopy are used to probe the cobalt-3d electron count and provide an element-specific investigation of the magnetic properties. The experiments show the cobalt valence conversion is active within 3 unit cells of the heterointerface, and able to generate full conversion to 3d7 divalent Co, which displays a paramagnetic ground state. The number of LaTiO3/LaCoO3 interfaces, the thickness of an additional, electronically insulating “break” layer between the LaTiO3 and LaCoO3, and the LaCoO3 film thickness itself in trilayers provide a trio of control knobs for average charge of the cobalt ions in LaCoO3, illustrating the efficacy of O−2p band alignment as a guiding principle for property design in complex oxide heterointerfaces.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.4
Times cited: 13
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.4.026001
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“Thermal-strain-engineered ferromagnetism of LaMnO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures grown on silicon”. Chen B, Gauquelin N, Reith P, Halisdemir U, Jannis D, Spreitzer M, Huijben M, Abel S, Fompeyrine J, Verbeeck J, Hilgenkamp H, Rijnders G, Koster G, Physical review materials 4, 024406 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.4.024406
Abstract: The integration of oxides on Si remains challenging, which largely hampers the practical applications of oxide-based electronic devices with superior performance. Recently, LaMnO3/SrTiO3 (LMO/STO) heterostructures have gained renewed interest for the debating origin of the ferromagnetic-insulating ground state as well as for their spin-filter applications. Here we report on the structural and magnetic properties of high-quality LMO/STO heterostructures grown on silicon. The chemical abruptness across the interface was investigated by atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. The difference in the thermal expansion coefficients between LMO and Si imposed a large biaxial tensile strain to the LMO film, resulting in a tetragonal structure with c/a∼ 0.983. Consequently, we observed a significantly suppressed ferromagnetism along with an enhanced coercive field, as compared to the less distorted LMO film (c/a∼1.004) grown on STO single crystal. The results are discussed in terms of tensile-strain enhanced antiferromagnetic instabilities. Moreover, the ferromagnetism of LMO on Si sharply disappeared below a thickness of 5 unit cells, in agreement with the LMO/STO case, pointing to a robust critical behavior irrespective of the strain state. Our results demonstrate that the growth of oxide films on Si can be a promising way to study the tensile-strain effects in correlated oxides, and also pave the way towards the integration of multifunctional oxides on Si with atomic-layer control.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.4
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevMaterials.4.024406
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“Source apportionment and seasonal variation in particulate PAHs levels at a coastal site in Belgium”. Ravindra K, Dirtu AC, Mor S, Wauters E, Van Grieken R, Environmental Science And Pollution Research (2020). http://doi.org/10.1007/S11356-020-07881-7
Abstract: In the present study, estimation of the atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was done in particulate samples collected from De Haan, Belgium, during different seasons. The sampling site was situated very close to the north sea and far from the influence of local or industrial activities. The levels of PAHs depicted a distinct seasonal trend, being highest during the spring season. The observations of the study indicated a mean value of 2.6 ng m(-3) for concentration of all the 16 US EPA PAHs, thus being significantly lower when compared to results of previous studies focused on other sites. The dominating PAHs species reported were naphthalene, fluoranthene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, and indeno[1,2,3c,d] pyrene. Assessment of the seasonal variation of the PAH levels was also done with respect to diagnostic ratio-based source identification, analysis of back trajectories, and principle component analysis. Burning of fossil fuels was observed to be the prominent source of atmospheric PAHs in the study area. Further, lifetime cancer risk assessment was performed to assess the detrimental health impacts on humans on being exposed to atmospheric PAHs. Particulate PAHs present in the ambient air of Belgium shows no carcinogenic health impacts. However, considering the industrial expansion in the region, efforts are required to prevent the environmental contamination of PAHs.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 5.8
DOI: 10.1007/S11356-020-07881-7
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“Quantifying Strain and Dislocation Density at Nanocube Interfaces after Assembly and Epitaxy”. Agrawal H, Patra BK, Altantzis T, De Backer A, Garnett EC, Acs Applied Materials &, Interfaces 12, 8788 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b17779
Abstract: Nanoparticle self-assembly and epitaxy are utilized extensively to make 1D and 2D structures with complex shapes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) has shown that single-crystalline interfaces can form, but little is known about the strain and dislocations at these interfaces. Such information is critically important for applications: drastically reducing
dislocation density was the key breakthrough enabling widespread implementation of light-emitting diodes, while strain engineering has been fundamental to modern high-performance transistors, solar cells, and thermoelectrics. In this work, the interfacial defect and strain formation after selfassembly and room temperature epitaxy of 7 nm Pd nanocubes capped with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is examined. It is observed that, during ligand removal, the cubes move over large distances on the substrate, leading to both spontaneous self-assembly and epitaxy to form single crystals. Subsequently, atomically resolved images are used to quantify the strain and dislocation density at the epitaxial interfaces between cubes with different lateral and angular misorientations. It is shown that dislocation- and strain-free interfaces form when the nanocubes align parallel to each other. Angular misalignment between adjacent cubes does not necessarily lead to grain boundaries but does cause dislocations, with higher densities associated with larger rotations.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Impact Factor: 9.5
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b17779
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“Tuning the electronic properties of graphene-graphitic carbon nitride heterostructures and heterojunctions by using an electric field”. Bafekry A, Neek-Amal M, Physical Review B 101, 085417 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.101.085417
Abstract: Integration of graphene-based two-dimensional materials is essential for nanoelectronics applications. Using density-functional theory, we systematically investigate the electronic properties of vertically stacked graphene-graphitic carbon nitrides (GE/GCN). We also studied the covalently lateral stitched graphene-graphitic carbon nitrides (GE-GCN heterojunctions). The effects of perpendicular electric field on the electronic properties of six different heterostructures, i.e., (i) one layer of GE on top of a layer of CnNm with (n, m) = (3,1), (3,4), and (4,3) and (ii) three heterostructures CnNm/Cn'Nm', where (n, m) not equal (n', m') are elucidated. The most important calculated features are (i) the systems GE/C3N4, C3N/C3N4, GE-C3N, GE-C4N3, and C3N-C3N4 exhibit semiconducting characteristics having small band gaps of Delta(0)=20, 250, 100, 100, 80 meV, respectively while (ii) the systems GE/C4N3, C3N/C4N3, and C3N-C4N3 show ferromagnetic-metallic properties. In particular, we found that, in semiconducting heterostructures, the band gap increases nontrivially with increasing the absolute value of the applied perpendicular electric field. This work is useful for designing heterojunctions and heterostructures made of graphene and other two-dimensional materials such as those proposed in recent experiments [X. Liu and M. C. Hersam Sci. Adv. 5, 6444 (2019)].
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
Times cited: 24
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.101.085417
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“Understanding superionic conductivity in lithium and sodium salts of weakly coordinating closo-hexahalocarbaborate anions”. Jorgensen M, Shea PT, Tomich AW, Varley JB, Bercx M, Lovera S, Cerny R, Zhou W, Udovic TJ, Lavallo V, Jensen TR, Wood BC, Stavila V, Chemistry of materials 32, 1475 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACS.CHEMMATER.9B04383
Abstract: Solid-state ion conductors based on closo-polyborate anions combine high ionic conductivity with a rich array of tunable properties. Cation mobility in these systems is intimately related to the strength of the interaction with the neighboring anionic network and the energy for reorganizing the coordination polyhedra. Here, we explore such factors in solid electrolytes with two anions of the weakest coordinating ability, [HCB11H5Cl6](-) and [HCB11H5Br6](-), and a total of 11 polymorphs are identified for their lithium and sodium salts. Our approach combines ab initio molecular dynamics, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and AC impedance measurements to investigate their structures, phase-transition behavior, anion orientational mobilities, and ionic conductivities. We find that M(HCB11H5X6) (M = Li, Na, X = Cl, Br) compounds exhibit order-disorder polymorphic transitions between 203 and 305 degrees C and display Li and Na superionic conductivity in the disordered state. Through detailed analysis, we illustrate how cation disordering in these compounds originates from a competitive interplay among the lattice symmetry, the anion reorientational mobility, the geometric and electronic asymmetry of the anion, and the polarizability of the halogen atoms. These factors are compared to other closo-polyborate-based ion conductors to suggest guidelines for optimizing the cation-anion interaction for fast ion mobility. This study expands the known solid-state poly(carba)borate-based materials capable of liquid-like ionic conductivities, unravels the mechanisms responsible for fast ion transport, and provides insights into the development of practical superionic solid electrolytes.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1021/ACS.CHEMMATER.9B04383
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“KITE : high-performance accurate modelling of electronic structure and response functions of large molecules, disordered crystals and heterostructures”. Joao SM, Andelkovic M, Covaci L, Rappoport TG, Lopes JMVP, Ferreira A, Royal Society Open Science 7, 191809 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1098/RSOS.191809
Abstract: We present KITE, a general purpose open-source tight-binding software for accurate real-space simulations of electronic structure and quantum transport properties of large-scale molecular and condensed systems with tens of billions of atomic orbitals (N similar to 10(10)). KITE's core is written in C++, with a versatile Python-based interface, and is fully optimized for shared memory multi-node CPU architectures, thus scalable, efficient and fast. At the core of KITE is a seamless spectral expansion of lattice Green's functions, which enables large-scale calculations of generic target functions with uniform convergence and fine control over energy resolution. Several functionalities are demonstrated, ranging from simulations of local density of states and photo-emission spectroscopy of disordered materials to large-scale computations of optical conductivity tensors and real-space wave-packet propagation in the presence of magneto-static fields and spin-orbit coupling. On-the-fly calculations of real-space Green's functions are carried out with an efficient domain decomposition technique, allowing KITE to achieve nearly ideal linear scaling in its multi-threading performance. Crystalline defects and disorder, including vacancies, adsorbates and charged impurity centres, can be easily set up with KITE's intuitive interface, paving the way to user-friendly large-scale quantum simulations of equilibrium and non-equilibrium properties of molecules, disordered crystals and heterostructures subject to a variety of perturbations and external conditions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.5
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1098/RSOS.191809
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“Combining medium recirculation with alternating the microalga production strain : a laboratory and pilot scale cultivation test”. Fret J, Roef L, Diels L, Tavernier S, Vyverman W, Michiels M, Algal Research-Biomass Biofuels And Bioproducts 46, 101763 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.ALGAL.2019.101763
Abstract: Reuse of growth medium after biomass harvesting is a cost-saving approach to improve the economic feasibility of algae mass cultivation. Algal exudates, cell debris and varying amounts of residual nutrients, impose challenges to the recycling of spent medium. In this study, the potential of combining reused medium from different algae species for growing monocultures of other algal strains was evaluated by making use of three successive cultivation setups with increasing volume; 400 mL in turbidostat mode, 2.6 L and 220 L in semi-continuous mode. Cultivation on replenished medium derived from Nannochloropsis sp. and Tisochrysis lutea, had no adverse effect on the productivity of either of the strains, regardless of whether they were grown in their own recycled medium or that of the other alga. Microfiltration of the reused medium proved to be sufficient to avoid cross-contamination. Moreover, a substantial average reduction in water footprint (77%) and nutrient cost (68% or 9 (sic).kg(-1) dry biomass) was achieved. Extension and validation of the medium recycling approach to other economically interesting algae species can contribute to improving the economic feasibility of large scale microalgae production systems.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)
Impact Factor: 5.1
Times cited: 4
DOI: 10.1016/J.ALGAL.2019.101763
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“Interaction of Ge with single layer GaAs : from Ge-island nucleation to formation of novel stable monolayers”. Sozen Y, Eren I, Ozen S, Yagmurcukardes M, Sahin H, Applied Surface Science 505, 144218 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.APSUSC.2019.144218
Abstract: In this study, reactivity of single-layer GaAs against Ge atoms is studied by means of ab initio density functional theory calculations. Firstly, it is shown that Ge atoms interact quite strongly with the GaAs layer which allows the formation of Ge islands while it hinders the growth of detached germanene monolayers. It is also predicted that adsorption of Ge atoms on GaAs single-layer lead to formation of two novel stable single-layer crystal structures, namely 1H-GaGeAs and 1H(A)-GaGeAs. Both the total energy optimizations and the calculated vibrational spectra indicate the dynamical stability of both single layer structures. Moreover, although both structures crystallize in 1H phase, 1H-GaGeAs and 1H(A)-GaGeAs exhibit distinctive vibrational features in their Raman spectra which is quite important for distinguishing the structures. In contrast to the semiconducting nature of single-layer GaAs, both polytypes of GaGeAs exhibit metallic behavior confirmed by the electronic band dispersions. Furthermore, the linear-elastic constants, in-plane stiffness and Poisson ratio, reveal the ultrasoft nature of the GaAs and GaGeAs structures and the rigidity of GaAs is found to be slightly enhanced via Ge adsorption. With their stable, ultra-thin and metallic properties, predicted single-layer GaGeAs structures can be promising candidates for nanoscale electronic and mechanical applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 6.7
DOI: 10.1016/J.APSUSC.2019.144218
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“Tunable electronic and magnetic properties of graphene/carbon-nitride van der Waals heterostructures”. Bafekry A, Akgenc B, Shayesteh SF, Mortazavi B, Applied Surface Science 505, 144450 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.APSUSC.2019.144450
Abstract: In this paper, we explore the electronic properties of C3N, C3N4 and C4N3 and graphene (Gr) van der Waals heterostructures by conducing extensive first-principles calculations. The acquired results show that these heterostructures can show diverse electronic properties, such as the metal (Gr on C3N), semiconductor with narrow band gap (Gr on C3N4) and ferromagnetic-metal (Gr on C4N3). We furthermore explored the effect of vacancies, atom substitution, topological, antisite and Stone-Wales defects on the structural and electronic properties of considered heterostructures. Our results show that the vacancy defects introduce localized states near the Fermi level and create a local magnetic moment. The Gr/C3N heterostructures with the single and double vacancy defects exhibit a ferromagnetic-metal, while Stone-Wales defects show an indirect semiconductor with the band gap of 0.2 eV. The effects of adsorption and insertion of O, C, Be, Cr, Fe and Co atoms on the electronic properties of Gr/C3N have been also elaborately studied. Our results highlight that the electronic and magnetic properties of garphene/carbon-nitride lateral heterostructures can be effectively modified by point defects and impurities.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 6.7
Times cited: 26
DOI: 10.1016/J.APSUSC.2019.144450
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“Quantum properties and applications of 2D Janus crystals and their superlattices”. Yagmurcukardes M, Qin Y, Ozen S, Sayyad M, Peeters FM, Tongay S, Sahin H, Applied Physics Reviews 7, 011311 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1063/1.5135306
Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) Janus materials are a new class of materials with unique physical, chemical, and quantum properties. The name “Janus” originates from the ancient Roman god which has two faces, one looking to the future while the other facing the past. Janus has been used to describe special types of materials which have two faces at the nanoscale. This unique atomic arrangement has been shown to present rather exotic properties with applications in biology, chemistry, energy conversion, and quantum sciences. This review article aims to offer a comprehensive review of the emergent quantum properties of Janus materials. The review starts by introducing 0D Janus nanoparticles and 1D Janus nanotubes, and highlights their difference from classical ones. The design principles, synthesis, and the properties of graphene-based and chalcogenide-based Janus layers are then discussed. A particular emphasis is given to colossal built-in potential in 2D Janus layers and resulting quantum phenomena such as Rashba splitting, skyrmionics, excitonics, and 2D magnetic ordering. More recent theoretical predictions are discussed in 2D Janus superlattices when Janus layers are stacked onto each other. Finally, we discuss the tunable quantum properties and newly predicted 2D Janus layers waiting to be experimentally realized. The review serves as a complete summary of the 2D Janus library and predicted quantum properties in 2D Janus layers and their superlattices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 15
Times cited: 158
DOI: 10.1063/1.5135306
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“Overcoming Crystallinity Limitations of Aluminium Metal-Organic Frameworks by Oxalic Acid Modulated Synthesis”. Canossa S, Gonzalez-Nelson A, Shupletsov L, Carmen Martin M, Van der Veen MA, Chemistry-A European Journal 26, 3564 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201904798
Abstract: A modulated synthesis approach based on the chelating properties of oxalic acid (H2C2O4) is presented as a robust and versatile method to achieve highly crystalline Al‐based metal‐organic frameworks. A comparative study on this method and the already established modulation by hydrofluoric acid was conducted using MIL‐53 as test system. The superior performance of oxalic acid modulation in terms of crystallinity and absence of undesired impurities is explained by assessing the coordination modes of the two modulators and the structural features of the product. The validity of our approach was confirmed for a diverse set of Al‐MOFs, namely X‐MIL‐53 (X=OH, CH3O, Br, NO2), CAU‐10, MIL‐69, and Al(OH)ndc (ndc=1,4‐naphtalenedicarboxylate), highlighting the potential benefits of extending the use of this modulator to other coordination materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 4.3
DOI: 10.1002/chem.201904798
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“Secondary-Phase-Assisted Grain Boundary Migration in CuInSe2”. Li C, Sanli ES, Barragan-Yani D, Stange H, Heinemann M-D, Greiner D, Sigle W, Mainz R, Albe K, Abou-Ras D, van Aken P A, Physical Review Letters 124, 095702 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.095702
Abstract: Significant structural evolution occurs during the deposition of CuInSe2 solar materials when the Cu content increases. We use in situ heating in a scanning transmission electron microscope to directly observe how grain boundaries migrate during heating, causing nondefected grains to consume highly defected grains. Cu substitutes for In in the near grain boundary regions, turning them into a Cu-Se phase topotactic with the CuInSe2 grain interiors. Together with density functional theory and molecular dynamics calculations, we reveal how this Cu-Se phase makes the grain boundaries highly mobile.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.095702
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“Reply to “Comment on `Excitons, trions, and biexcitons in transition-metal dichalcogenides: Magnetic-field dependence'””. Van der Donck M, Zarenia M, Peeters FM, Physical Review B 101, 127402 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVB.101.127402
Abstract: In the Comment, the authors state that the separation of the relative and center of mass variables in our work is not correct. Here we point out that there is a typographical error, i.e., qi instead of -e, in two of our equations which, when corrected, makes the Comment redundant. Within the ansatzes mentioned in our paper all our results are correct, in contrast to the claims of the Comment.
Keywords: Editorial; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 3.7
DOI: 10.1103/PHYSREVB.101.127402
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“C2-H arylation of indoles catalyzed by palladium-containing metal-organic-framework in γ-valerolactone”. Anastasiou I, Van Velthoven N, Tomarelli E, Lombi A, Lanari D, Liu P, Bals S, De Vos DE, Vaccaro L, Chemsuschem 13 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1002/CSSC.202000378
Abstract: An efficient and selective procedure was developed for the direct C2-H arylation of indoles using a Pd-loaded metal-organic framework (MOF) as a heterogeneous catalyst and the nontoxic biomass-derived solvent gamma-valerolactone (GVL) as a reaction medium. The developed method allows for excellent yields and C-2 selectivity to be achieved and tolerates various substituents on the indole scaffold. The established conditions ensure the stability of the catalyst as well as recoverability, reusability, and low metal leaching into the solution.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.4
Times cited: 22
DOI: 10.1002/CSSC.202000378
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“Magnetic field induced vortices in graphene quantum dots”. Lavor IR, da Costa DR, Chaves A, Farias GA, Macedo R, Peeters FM, Journal Of Physics-Condensed Matter 32, 155501 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1088/1361-648X/AB6463
Abstract: The energy spectrum and local current patterns in graphene quantum dots (QD) are investigated for different geometries in the presence of an external perpendicular magnetic field. Our results demonstrate that, for specific geometries and edge configurations, the QD exhibits vortex and anti-vortex patterns in the local current density, in close analogy to the vortex patterns observed in the probability density current of semiconductor QD, as well as in the order parameter of mesoscopic superconductors.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 2.7
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1088/1361-648X/AB6463
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“Storage, fertilization and cost properties highlight the potential of dried microbial biomass as organic fertilizer”. Spanoghe J, Grunert O, Wambacq E, Sakarika M, Papini G, Alloul A, Spiller M, Derycke V, Stragier L, Verstraete H, Fauconnier K, Verstraete W, Haesaert G, Vlaeminck SE, Microbial biotechnology , 1 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.13554
Abstract: The transition to sustainable agriculture and horticulture is a societal challenge of global importance. Fertilization with a minimum impact on the environment can facilitate this. Organic fertilizers can play an important role, given their typical release pattern and production through resource recovery. Microbial fertilizers (MFs) constitute an emerging class of organic fertilizers and consist of dried microbial biomass, for instance produced on effluents from the food and beverage industry. In this study, three groups of organisms were tested as MFs: a high-rate consortium aerobic bacteria (CAB), the microalga Arthrospira platensis (‘Spirulina’) and a purple non-sulfur bacterium (PNSB) Rhodobacter sp. During storage as dry products, the MFs showed light hygroscopic activity, but the mineral and organic fractions remained stable over a storage period of 91 days. For biological tests, a reference organic fertilizer (ROF) was used as positive control, and a commercial organic growing medium (GM) as substrate. The mineralization patterns without and with plants were similar for all MFs and ROF, with more than 70% of the organic nitrogen mineralized in 77 days. In a first fertilization trial with parsley, all MFs showed equal performance compared to ROF, and the plant fresh weight was even higher with CAB fertilization. CAB was subsequently used in a follow-up trial with petunia and resulted in elevated plant height, comparable chlorophyll content and a higher amount of flowers compared to ROF. Finally, a cost estimation for packed GM with supplemented fertilizer indicated that CAB and a blend of CAB/PNSB (85%/15%) were most cost competitive, with an increase of 6% and 7% in cost compared to ROF. In conclusion, as biobased fertilizers, MFs have the potential to contribute to sustainable plant nutrition, performing as good as a commercially available organic fertilizer, and to a circular economy.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 5.7
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.13554
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“In Situ Quantitative Tensile Testing of Antigorite in a Transmission Electron Microscope”. Idrissi H, Samaee V, Lumbeeck G, Werf T, Pardoen T, Schryvers D, Cordier P, Journal Of Geophysical Research-Solid Earth 125 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1029/2019JB018383
Abstract: The determination of the mechanical properties of serpentinites is essential toward the understanding of the mechanics of faulting and subduction. Here we present the first in situ tensile tests on antigorite in a transmission electron microscope. A push‐to‐pull deformation device is used to perform quantitative tensile tests, during which force and displacement are measured, while the evolving microstructure is imaged with the microscope. The experiments have been performed at room temperature on 2 × 1 × 0.2 μm3 beams prepared by focused ion beam. The specimens are not single crystals despite their small sizes. Orientation mapping indicated that several grains were well oriented for plastic slip. However, no dislocation activity has been observed even though the engineering tensile stress went up to 700 MPa. We show also that antigorite does not exhibit a purely elastic‐brittle behavior since, despite the presence of defects, the specimens accumulate permanent deformation and did not fail within the elastic regime. Instead, we observe that strain localizes at grain boundaries. All observations concur to show that under these experimental conditions, grain boundary sliding is the dominant deformation mechanism. This study sheds a new light on the mechanical properties of antigorite and calls for further studies on the structure and properties of grain boundaries in antigorite and more generally in phyllosilicates.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.9
DOI: 10.1029/2019JB018383
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“Dual-vortex plasmatron: A novel plasma source for CO2 conversion”. Trenchev G, Bogaerts A, Journal Of Co2 Utilization 39, 101152 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcou.2020.03.002
Abstract: Atmospheric pressure gliding arc (GA) discharges are gaining increasing interest for CO2 conversion and other gas conversion applications, due to their simplicity and high energy efficiency. However, they are characterized by some drawbacks, such as non-uniform gas treatment, limiting the conversion, as well as the development of a hot cathode spot, resulting in severe electrode degradation. In this work, we built a dual-vortex plasmatron, which is a GA plasma reactor with innovative electrode configuration, to solve the above problems. The design aims to improve the CO2 conversion capability of the GA reactor by elongating the arc in two directions, to increase the residence time of the gas inside the arc, and to actively cool the cathode spot by rotation of the arc and gas convection. The measured CO2 conversion and corresponding energy efficiency indeed look very promising. In addition, we developed a fluid dynamics non-thermal plasma model with argon chemistry, to study the arc behavior in the reactor and to explain the experimental results.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 7.7
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcou.2020.03.002
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“Pathways how irrigation water affects crop revenue of smallholder farmers in northwest Ethiopia: A mixed approach”. Zewdie MC, Van Passel S, Moretti M, Annys S, Tenessa DB, Ayele ZA, Tsegaye EA, Cools J, Minale AS, Nyssen J, Agricultural Water Management 233, 106101 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106101
Abstract: The relationship between irrigation water availability and crop revenue is multifaceted. However, most of the previous studies focused only on the direct effect of irrigation water on crop revenue or considered that the indirect effect passes only through the farmers’ improved farm inputs usage. Nevertheless, unlike previous studies, this study argues that a one-sided argument that irrigation water directly causes high crop revenue or indirectly affects crop revenue only via the farmers’ improved farm inputs usage is incomplete, as irrigation water not only directly contributes to crop revenue but also indirectly conduces to crop revenue via both the type of crops produced and the farmers’ improved farm inputs usage. Considering the previous studies’ limitations, this study investigates pathways how small-scale irrigation water affects crop revenue and identifies challenges of small-scale irrigation farming in Fogera district, Ethiopia. Results endorsed that irrigation water has both direct and indirect effects on crop revenue. The indirect effect is 67 percent of the total effect and it is mediated by both the type of crops produced and farmers’ improved farm inputs usage. The result also indicated that irrigation user farmers have a higher income, more livestock assets and resources and better food, housing, and cloths than the non-users. Moreover, challenges related to agricultural output and input market were identified as the most severe problem followed by crop disease. The findings of our study suggest that to utilize the benefits of irrigation water properly, it is crucial to encourage farmers to use more improved farm inputs and to shift from staple to cash crop production. Moreover, farmers are frequently exposed to cheating by illegal brokers in the output market, therefore it is also important to increase farmers’ accessibility to output and input markets, the quality of improved farm inputs, and the bargaining power of farmers with market information.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 6.7
DOI: 10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106101
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“The effect of waste incineration taxation on industrial plastic waste generation: A panel analysis”. De Weerdt L, Sasao T, Compernolle T, Van Passel S, De Jaeger S, Resources Conservation And Recycling 157, 104717 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104717
Abstract: Waste treatment taxation is a popular policy instrument in many European countries and regions. Its impact on household waste has extensively been researched. However, only little research exists which looks into the impact of waste treatment taxation on industrial waste generation. Nevertheless, industrial waste constitutes more than ninety percent of waste generated in the European Union. This study assesses the impact of an incineration tax on the generation of industrial plastic waste in Flanders, Belgium. We conduct different types of econometrical panel analyzes and provide statistical evidence that firms show lagged behavior, which means that the previous year’s waste generation partly determines the current year’s. The dynamic panel estimations show robust results, indicating that a growth of incineration taxes exert significant negative effects on the growth of industrial plastic waste generation. This result offers no argument to iteratively raise incineration taxes. We conclude that incineration taxation is meaningful if tax rates are set according to the prevailing market conditions, i.e. taking into account the marginal costs of alternatives for incineration. In the short run, the effectiveness of taxation will quickly diminish due to the rapidly rising marginal costs of waste reduction. In the long run, extra recycling capacity is needed to recycle the minimized waste fraction. The role of taxation in the long run is to maintain an equilibrium in which recycling is preferred by the market.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Impact Factor: 13.2
DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.104717
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“Pioneering on single-sludge nitrification/denitrification at 50 °C”. Vandekerckhove TGL, Boon N, Vlaeminck SE, Chemosphere 252, 126527 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2020.126527
Abstract: Thermophilic nitrification has been proven in lab-scale bioreactors at 50 °C. The challenge is now to develop a solution for thermophilic nitrogen removal, integrating nitrification with denitrification and aerobic carbon removal. This pioneering study aimed at a single-sludge nitrification/denitrification process at 50 °C, through exposing nitrification in a step by step approach to anoxia and/or organics. Firstly, recurrent anoxia was tolerated by a nitrifying community during long-term membrane bioreactor (MBR) operation (85 days), with high ammonium oxidation efficiencies (>98%). Secondly, five organic carbon sources did not affect thermophilic ammonium and nitrite oxidation rates in three-day aerobic batch flask incubations. Moving to long-term tests with sequencing batch reactors (SBR) and MBR (>250 days), good nitrification performance was obtained at increasing COD/Ninfluent ratios (0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3). Thirdly, combining nitrification, recurrent anoxia and presence of organic carbon resulted in a nitrogen removal efficiency of 92–100%, with a COD/Nremoved of 4.8 ± 0.6 and a nitrogen removal rate of 50 ± 14 mg N g−1 VSS d−1. Overall, this is the first proof of principle thermophilic nitrifiers can cope with redox fluctuations (aerobic/anoxic) and the aerobic or anoxic presence of organic carbon, can functionally co-exist with heterotrophs and that single-sludge nitrification/denitrification can be achieved.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Impact Factor: 8.8
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2020.126527
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“The effect of policy leveraging climate change adaptive capacity in agriculture”. Vanschoenwinkel J, Moretti M, Van Passel S, European Review Of Agricultural Economics (2020). http://doi.org/10.1093/erae/jbz007
Abstract: Agricultural adaptation to climate change is indispensable. However, the degree of adaptation depends on adaptive capacity levels and it only takes place if the appropriate resources are present. Cross-sectional climate response models ignore this requirement. This paper adapts the Ricardian method to control for a generic territorial adaptive capacity index. The results for a sample of over 60.000 European farms show a significant non-linear positive relationship between adaptive capacity and climate responsiveness and that some regions in Europe can increase their climate responsiveness significantly. This confirms that improvement of adaptive capacity is an important policy tool to enhance adaptation.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM)
Impact Factor: 3.4
DOI: 10.1093/erae/jbz007
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“Ecosystem services assessment tools for African Biosphere Reserves: A review and user-informed classification”. Hugé, J, Rochette Aj, de Béthune S, Parra Paitan Cc, Vanderhaegen K, Vandervelden T, Van Passel S, Vanhove Mpm, Verbist B, Verheyen D, Waas T, Janssens I, Janssens de Bisthoven L, Ecosystem Services 42, 101079 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2020.101079
Abstract: While the concept of ecosystem services which links biodiversity to human wellbeing, is by now well-known, its translation into actual management decisions is still uneven. African Biosphere Reserves, which are to be living labs for sustainable development, embody the idea of synergies between people and nature. Gaining knowledge about the provision, the use and the trends of ecosystem services in these reserves is essential to ensure their global change-proof management. The diversity of rapidly evolving ecosystem services assessment tools requires a systematic and informed selection, in order to ensure that prospective tool users select the most adequate tool, aligned to their needs and context. Based on a Delphi survey of future tool users, and on a review of ecosystem services assessment tools, we propose guidance to users to select the most suited tool based on the context of African Biosphere Reserves, and on tool requirements regarding data input, necessary skills, outputs and types of ecosystem services addressed. The use of the Delphi survey and the focus on African Biosphere Reserves are new elements that contribute to the theory and practice of ecosystem services assessment.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Impact Factor: 7.6
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2020.101079
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“Eliciting policymakers&rsquo, preferences for technologies to decarbonise transport: A discrete choice experiment”. Bjørnåvold A, Lizin S, Van Dael M, Arnold F, Van Passel S, Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 35, 21 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2019.12.002
Abstract: Socio-technical transitions are often hindered by the resilience of existing infrastructures, as policymakers are reluctant to invest in novel products or services. Using the example of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) based fuels, we set up a discrete choice experiment to assess whether European policymakers have a tendency to avoid investing in novel, and more disruptive technologies, and rather prefer to invest in technologies that resemble the incumbent. Results indicate that policymakers prefer to allocate funding to dominant technologies. The results also revealed an overall positive perception of CCU technologies among policymakers. As the commercialisation of such products and processes continues, acceptance among this group of stakeholders is key.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Impact Factor: 7.2
DOI: 10.1016/j.eist.2019.12.002
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“Reducing winter peaks in electricity consumption: A choice experiment to structure demand response programs”. Srivastava A, Van Passel S, Kessels R, Valkering P, Laes E, Energy Policy 137, 111183 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111183
Abstract: Winter peaks in Belgian electricity demand are significantly higher than the summer peaks, creating a greater potential for imbalances between demand and supply. This potential is exacerbated because of the risk of outages in its ageing nuclear power plants, which are being phased out in the medium term. This paper conducts a choice experiment to investigate the acceptability of a load control-based demand response program in the winter months. It surveys 186 respondents on their willingness to accept limits on the use of home appliances in return for a compensation. Results indicate that respondents are most affected by the days of the week that their appliance usage would be curtailed, and by the compensation they would receive. The willingness to enroll in a program increases with age, environmental consciousness, home ownership, and lower privacy concerns. The analysis predicts that 95% of the sample surveyed could enroll in a daily load control program for a compen- sation of €41 per household per year. Thus while an initial rollout among older and more pro-environment homeowners could be successful, a wider implementation would require an explanation of its environmental and financial benefits to the population, and a greater consideration of their data privacy concerns.
Keywords: A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Impact Factor: 9
DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111183
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“A 3D cell death assay to quantitatively determine ferroptosis in spheroids”. Demuynck R, Efimova I, Lin A, Declercq H, Krysko DV, Cells 9, 703 (2020). http://doi.org/10.3390/CELLS9030703
Abstract: The failure of drug efficacy in clinical trials remains a big issue in cancer research. This is largely due to the limitations of two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, the most used tool in drug screening. Nowadays, three-dimensional (3D) cultures, including spheroids, are acknowledged to be a better model of the in vivo environment, but detailed cell death assays for 3D cultures (including those for ferroptosis) are scarce. In this work, we show that a new cell death analysis method, named 3D Cell Death Assay (3DELTA), can efficiently determine different cell death types including ferroptosis and quantitatively assess cell death in tumour spheroids. Our method uses Sytox dyes as a cell death marker and Triton X-100, which efficiently permeabilizes all cells in spheroids, was used to establish 100% cell death. After optimization of Sytox concentration, Triton X-100 concentration and timing, we showed that the 3DELTA method was able to detect signals from all cells without the need to disaggregate spheroids. Moreover, in this work we demonstrated that 2D experiments cannot be extrapolated to 3D cultures as 3D cultures are less sensitive to cell death induction. In conclusion, 3DELTA is a more cost-effective way to identify and measure cell death type in 3D cultures, including spheroids.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.3390/CELLS9030703
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“Measuring Dynamic Structural Changes of Nanoparticles at the Atomic Scale Using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy”. De wael A, De Backer A, Jones L, Varambhia A, Nellist PD, Van Aert S, Physical Review Letters 124, 106105 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.106105
Abstract: We propose a new method to measure atomic scale dynamics of nanoparticles from experimental high-resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. By using the so-called hidden Markov model, which explicitly models the possibility of structural changes, the number of atoms in each atomic column can be quantified over time. This newly proposed method outperforms the current atom-counting procedure and enables the determination of the probabilities and cross sections for surface diffusion. This method is therefore of great importance for revealing and quantifying the atomic structure when it evolves over time via adatom dynamics, surface diffusion, beam effects, or during in situ experiments.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.6
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.106105
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“Insight into the Mechanisms of High Activity and Stability of Iridium Supported on Antimony-Doped Tin Oxide Aerogel for Anodes of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers”. Saveleva VA, Wang L, Kasian O, Batuk M, Hadermann J, Gallet J-j, Bournel F, Alonso-Vante N, Ozouf G, Beauger C, Mayrhofer KJJ, Cherevko S, Gago AS, Friedrich KA, Zafeiratos S, Savinova ER, Acs Catalysis 10, 2508 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.9b04449
Abstract: The use of high amounts of iridium in industrial proton exchange membrane water electrolysers (PEMWE) could hinder their widespread use for the decarbonisation of society with hydrogen. Non-thermally oxidised Ir nanoparticles supported on antimony-doped tin oxide (SnO2:Sb, ATO) aerogel allow decreasing the use of the precious metal by more than 70 %, while enhancing the electro-catalytic activity and stability. To date the origin of these benefits remains unknown. Here we present clear evidence on the mechanisms that lead to the enhancement of the electrochemical properties of the catalyst. Operando near ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on membrane electrode assemblies reveals a low degree of Ir oxidation, attributed to the oxygen spill-over from Ir to SnO2:Sb. Furthermore, the formation of highly unstable Ir(III) species is mitigated, while the decrease of Ir dissolution in Ir/SnO2:Sb is confirmed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mechanisms that lead to the high activity and stability of Ir catalyst supported on SnO2:Sb aerogel for PEMWE are thus unveiled.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.9
DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.9b04449
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“CaLa2FeCoSbO9 and ALa2FeNiSbO9 (A = Ca, Sr, Ba): cation-ordered, inhomogeneous, ferrimagnetic perovskites”. Hendrickx M, Tang Y, Hunter EC, Battle PD, Cadogan Jm, Hadermann J, Journal Of Solid State Chemistry 285, 121226 (2020). http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2020.121226
Abstract: Polycrystalline samples of CaLa2FeCoSbO9 and ALa2FeNiSbO9 (A=Ca, Sr, Ba) have been prepared in solid-state reactions and studied by a combination of transmission electron microscopy, magnetometry, X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Diffraction and TEM showed that each shows 1:1 B-site ordering in which Co2+/Ni2+ and Sb5+ tend to occupy two distinct crystallographic sites while Fe3+ is distributed over both sites. While X-ray and neutron diffraction agreed that all four compositions are monophasic with space group P21/n, TEM revealed different levels of compositional inhomogeneity at the subcrystal scale, which, in the case of BaLa2FeNiSbO9, leads to the occurrence of both a P21/n and an I2/m phase. Magnetometry and neutron diffraction show that these perovskites are ferrimagnets with a G-type magnetic structure. Their relatively low magnetisation can be attributed to their inhomogeneity. This work demonstrates the importance of studying the microstructure of complex compositions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 3.3
DOI: 10.1016/j.jssc.2020.121226
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