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Author Morsdorf, L.; Kashiwar, A.; Kübel, C.; Tasan, C.C.
Title Carbon segregation and cementite precipitation at grain boundaries in quenched and tempered lath martensite Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Materials science and engineering: part A: structural materials: properties, microstructure and processing Abbreviated Journal
Volume 862 Issue Pages 144369-21
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Tempering is widely applied to make carbon atoms beneficially rearrange in high strength steel microstructures after quenching; though the nano-scale interaction of carbon atoms with crystallographic defects is hard to experimentally observe. To improve, we investigate the redistribution of carbon atoms along martensite grain boundaries in a quenched and tempered low carbon steel. We observe the tempering-induced microstructural evolution by in-situ heating in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and by compositional analysis through atom probe tomography (APT). Probe volumes for APT originate from a single martensite packet but in different tempering conditions, which is achieved via a sequential lift-out with in-between tempering treatments. The complementary use of TEM and APT provides crystallographic as well as chemical information on carbon segregation and subsequent carbide precipitation at martensite grain boundaries. The results show that the amount of carbon segregation to martensite grain boundaries is influenced by the boundary type, e.g. low-angle lath or high-angle block boundaries. Also, the growth behavior of cementite precipitates from grain boundary nucleation sites into neighboring martensite grains differs at low- and high-angle grain boundaries. This is due to the crystallographic constraints arising from the semi-coherent orientation relationship between cementite and adjacent martensite. We also show that slower quenching stabilizes thin retained austenite films between martensite grains because of enhanced carbon segregation during cooling. Finally, we demonstrate the effect of carbon redistribution along martensite grain boundaries on the mechanical properties. Here, we compare micro-scale Vickers hardness results from boundary-containing probe volumes to nanoindentation results from pure bulk martensite (boundary-free) probe volumes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000905165700001 Publication Date 2022-12-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-5093 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: 3.094
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192279 Serial 7285
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Author Yedukondalu, N.; Pandey, T.; Roshan, S.C.R.
Title Effect of hydrostatic pressure on lone pair activity and phonon transport in Bi₂O₂S Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS applied energy materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 6 Issue 4 Pages 2401-2411
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Dibismuth dioxychalcogenides, Bi2O2Ch (Ch = S, Se, Te), are a promising class of materials for next-generation electronics and thermoelectrics due to their ultrahigh carrier mobility and excellent air stability. An interesting member of this family is Bi2O2S, which has a stereochemically active 6s2 lone pair of Bi3+ cations, heterogeneous bonding, and a high mass contrast between its constituent elements. In the present study, we have used first-principles calculations in combination with Boltzmann transport theory to systematically investigate the effect of hydrostatic pressure on lattice dynamics and phonon transport properties of Bi2O2S. We found that the ambient Pnmn phase has a low average lattice thermal conductivity (kappa l) of 1.71 W/(m K) at 300 K. We also predicted that Bi2O2S undergoes a structural phase transition from a low-symmetry (Pnmn) to a high-symmetry (I4/mmm) structure at around 4 GPa due to centering of Bi3+ cations with pressure. Upon compression, the lone pair activity of Bi3+ cations is suppressed, which increases kappa l by almost 3 times to 4.92 W/ (m K) at 5 GPa for the I4/mmm phase. The computed phonon lifetimes and Gru''neisen parameters show that anharmonicity decreases with increasing pressure due to further suppression of the lone pair activity and strengthening of intra-and intermolecular interactions, leading to an average room-temperature kappa l of 12.82 W/(m K) at 20 GPa. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the stereochemical activity of the lone pair of Bi3+ cations and its implications on the phonon transport properties of Bi2O2S.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000929103700001 Publication Date 2023-02-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2574-0962 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:195245 Serial 7300
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Author Paulus, A.; Hendrickx, M.; Mayda, S.; Batuk, M.; Reekmans, G.; von Holst, M.; Elen, K.; Abakumov, A.M.; Adriaensens, P.; Lamoen, D.; Partoens, B.; Hadermann, J.; Van Bael, M.K.; Hardy, A.
Title Understanding the Activation of Anionic Redox Chemistry in Ti4+-Substituted Li2MnO3as a Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS applied energy materials Abbreviated Journal ACS Appl. Energy Mater.
Volume 6 Issue 13 Pages 6956-6971
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Layered Li-rich oxides, demonstrating both cationic and anionic redox chemistry being used as positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries,have raised interest due to their high specific discharge capacities exceeding 250 mAh/g. However, irreversible structural transformations triggered by anionic redox chemistry result in pronounced voltagefade (i.e., lowering the specific energy by a gradual decay of discharge potential) upon extended galvanostatic cycling. Activating or suppressing oxygen anionic redox through structural stabilization induced by redox-inactivecation substitution is a well-known strategy. However, less emphasishas been put on the correlation between substitution degree and theactivation/suppression of the anionic redox. In this work, Ti4+-substituted Li2MnO3 was synthesizedvia a facile solution-gel method. Ti4+ is selected as adopant as it contains no partially filled d-orbitals. Our study revealedthat the layered “honeycomb-ordered” C2/m structure is preserved when increasing the Ticontent to x = 0.2 in the Li2Mn1-x Ti (x) O-3 solidsolution, as shown by electron diffraction and aberration-correctedscanning transmission electron microscopy. Galvanostatic cycling hintsat a delayed oxygen release, due to an improved reversibility of theanionic redox, during the first 10 charge-discharge cyclesfor the x = 0.2 composition compared to the parentmaterial (x = 0), followed by pronounced oxygen redoxactivity afterward. The latter originates from a low activation energybarrier toward O-O dimer formation and Mn migration in Li2Mn0.8Ti0.2O3, as deducedfrom first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the“charged” state. Upon lowering the Ti substitution to x = 0.05, the structural stability was drastically improvedbased on our MD analysis, stressing the importance of carefully optimizingthe substitution degree to achieve the best electrochemical performance.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001018266700001 Publication Date 2023-07-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2574-0962 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 24.12.2023
Notes Universiteit Hasselt, AUHL/15/2 – GOH3816N ; Russian Science Foundation, 20-43-01012 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, AUHL/15/2 – GOH3816N G040116N ; The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center) and the HPC infrastructure of the University of Antwerp (CalcUA), both funded by the FWO Vlaanderen and the Flemish Government-department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:198160 Serial 8809
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Author Pandey, T.; Peeters, F.M.; Milošević, M.V.
Title High thermoelectric figure of merit in p-type Mg₃Si₂Te₆: role of multi-valley bands and high anharmonicity Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of materials chemistry C : materials for optical and electronic devices Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 33 Pages 11185-11194
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Silicon-based materials are attractive for thermoelectric applications due to their thermal stability, chemical inertness, and natural abundance of silicon. Here, using a combination of first-principles and Boltzmann transport calculations we report the thermoelectric properties of the recently synthesized compound Mg3Si2Te6. Our analysis reveals that Mg3Si2Te6 is a direct bandgap semiconductor with a bandgap of 1.6 eV. The combination of heavy and light valence bands, along with a high valley degeneracy, results in a large power factor under p-type doping. We also find that Mg is weakly bonded both within and between the layers, leading to low phonon group velocities. The vibrations of the Mg atoms are localized and make a significant contribution to phonon-phonon scattering. This high anharmonicity, coupled with low phonon group velocity, results in a low lattice thermal conductivity of & kappa;(l) = 0.5 W m(-1) K-1 at room temperature, along the cross-plane direction. Combining excellent electronic transport properties and low & kappa;(l), p-type Mg3Si2Te6 achieves figure-of-merit (zT) values greater than 1 at temperatures above 600 K. Specifically, a zT of 2.0 is found at 900 K along the cross-plane direction. Our findings highlight the importance of structural complexity and chemical bonding in electronic and phonon transport, providing guiding insights for further design of Si-based thermoelectrics.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001041124900001 Publication Date 2023-07-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2050-7526; 2050-7534 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor (up) 6.4 Times cited 1 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: 5.256
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198296 Serial 8821
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Author Zi, L.; Reynaert, S.; Nijs, I.; De Boeck, H.; Verbruggen, E.; Beemster, G.T.S.; Asard, H.; Abdelgawad, H.
Title Biochemical composition changes can be linked to the tolerance of four grassland species under more persistent precipitation regimes Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Physiologia plantarum Abbreviated Journal
Volume 175 Issue 6 Pages e14083-13
Keywords A1 Journal article; Integrated Molecular Plant Physiology Research (IMPRES); Plant and Ecosystems (PLECO) – Ecology in a time of change
Abstract Climate models suggest that the persistence of summer precipitation regimes (PRs) is on the rise, characterized by both longer dry and longer wet durations. These PR changes may alter plant biochemical composition and thereby their economic and ecological characteristics. However, impacts of PR persistence have primarily been studied at the community level, largely ignoring the biochemistry of individual species. Here, we analyzed biochemical components of four grassland species with varying sensitivity to PR persistence (Holcus lanatus, Phleum pratense, Lychnis flos-cuculi, Plantago lanceolata) along a range of increasingly persistent PRs (longer consecutive dry and wet periods) in a mesocosm experiment. The more persistent PRs decreased nonstructural sugars, whereas they increased lignin in all species, possibly reducing plant quality. The most sensitive species Lychnis seemed less capable of altering its biochemical composition in response to altered PRs, which may partly explain its higher sensitivity. The more tolerant species may have a more robust and dynamic biochemical network, which buffers the effects of changes in individual biochemical components on biomass. We conclude that the biochemical composition changes are important determinants for plant performance under increasingly persistent precipitation regimes.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001108556200001 Publication Date 2023-11-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0031-9317 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.4 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: 3.33
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:202003 Serial 9190
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Author Delvaux, A.; Lumbeeck, G.; Idrissi, H.; Proost, J.
Title Effect of microstructure and internal stress on hydrogen absorption into Ni thin film electrodes during alkaline water electrolysis Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Electrochimica Acta Abbreviated Journal Electrochim Acta
Volume 340 Issue Pages 135970-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Efforts to improve the cell efficiency of hydrogen production by water electrolysis continue to address the electrochemical kinetics of the oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions in detail. The objective of this work is to study a parasitic reaction occurring during the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), namely the absorption of hydrogen atoms into the bulk electrode. Effects of the electrode microstructure and internal stress on this reaction have been addressed as well in this paper. Ni thin film samples were deposited on a Si substrate by sputter deposition with different deposition pressures, resulting in different microstructures and varying levels of internal stress. These microstructures were first analyzed in detail by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Cathodic chrono-amperometric measurements and cyclic voltammetries have then been performed in a homemade electrochemical cell. These tests were coupled to a multi-beam optical sensor (MOS) in order to obtain in-situ curvature measurements during hydrogen absorption. Indeed, since hydrogen absorption in the thin film geometry results in a constrained volume expansion, internal stress generation during HER can be monitored by means of curvature measurements. Our results show that different levels of internal stress, grain size and twin boundary density can be obtained by varying the deposition parameters. From an electrochemical point of view, this paper highlights the fact that the electrochemical surface mechanisms during HER are the same for all the electrodes, regardless of their microstructure. However it is shown that the absolute amount of hydrogen being absorbed into the Ni thin films increases when the grain size is reduced, due to a higher grain boundaries density which are favourite absorption sites for hydrogen. At the same time, it was concluded that H-2 evolution is favoured at electrodes having a more compressive (i.e. a less tensile) internal stress. Finally, the subtle effect of microstructure on the hydrogen absorption rate will be discussed as well. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000521531800011 Publication Date 2020-02-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0013-4686 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited 2 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ; The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support of the Public Service of Wallonia e Department of Energy and Sustainable Building, through the project WallonHY. The ACOM-TEM work was supported by the Hercules Foundation [Grant No. AUHA13009], the Flemish Research Fund (FWO) [Grant No. G.0365.15 N], and the Flemish Strategic Initiative for Materials (SIM) under the project InterPoCo. We also like to cordially thank Ronny Santoro for carrying out the ICP-OES measurements. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2020 IF: 4.798
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:168536 Serial 6497
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Author Annys, S.; Van Passel, S.; Dessein, J.; Adgo, E.; Nyssen, J.
Title From fast-track implementation to livelihood deterioration: The dam-based Ribb Irrigation and Drainage Project in Northwest Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Agricultural Systems Abbreviated Journal Agr Syst
Volume 184 Issue Pages 102909-102913
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract The 21st century revival of large-scale water resources development projects makes it important to keep assessing their impacts – preferably from an interdisciplinary perspective – in order to not repeat past mistakes and explore whether they could improve livelihood conditions for rural communities. In this study, costs and benefits of the World Bank-funded Ribb Irrigation and Drainage Project (RIDP) were investigated using a unique systems approach. The impact for farmers with different initial farming systems (rainfed – residual moisture – irrigated) was studied using field observations, document analyses, remote sensing, agronomic data and semi-structured interviews (n = 165). Data on project-induced changes to land and water availability, cropping patterns, farming systems and farm-level economics were collected. The results show that dam and dyke construction has reduced flooding, which has resulted in declining rice productivity ( – 42%) and concomitant shifts to lower value cropping systems. Results also reveal that the land redistribution has caused widespread livelihood deterioration as households had to give up 25% of their farmland and the communal grazing land was fully converted into farmland. Due to top-down implementation, nontransparent communication, delayed construction and lagging financial compensation, social resistance has appeared in the command area, impeding the construction works. In addition to these problems, if no rapid change to higher value crops can be realized, 20.5% of the farmers (those who already irrigate) will experience a loss of livelihood, 64.1% of the farmers (those with rainfed and residual moisture cultivation) will be on the verge of livelihood deterioration and only 13.5% of the farmers (those with solely rainfed cultivation) will enjoy RIDP-induced improved livelihoods. The fate of this project stresses the importance of investigating initial farming systems, exploring worthy project alternatives, improving participation, communication and benefit-sharing and strengthening the institutional capacity of implementing authorities.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000564756600013 Publication Date 2020-08-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0308-521x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2020 IF: 2.571
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:172030 Serial 6927
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Author Perreault, P.; Kummamuru, N.B.; Gonzalez Quiroga, A.; Lenaerts, S.
Title CO2 capture initiatives : are governments, society, industry and the financial sector ready? Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering Abbreviated Journal Curr Opin Chem Eng
Volume 38 Issue Pages 100874
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The deployment of CCUS plants does not match the enormous requirements to meet the CO2 emission reductions fixed during the Paris agreement, and we must ask ourselves what is refraining the technology deployment, especially in light of the recent high CO2 prices. Owing to the higher costs than their fossil counterparts, Carbon Capture & Utilization represents a long-term solution. In addition to a gigantic scale-up effort even for the most mature Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) technologies, various factors are responsible for the slow roll-out of CCS projects. Luckily, the financial sector and governments are playing their role. Support from the public is however key, and an open communication is required to convert social tolerance into social acceptance.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000885329800001 Publication Date 2022-10-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2211-3398 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191272 Serial 7137
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Author Deben, C.; Cardenas De La Hoz, E.; Le Compte, M.; Van Schil, P.; Hendriks, J.M.H.; Lauwers, P.; Yogeswaran, S.K.; Lardon, F.; Pauwels, P.; van Laere, S.; Bogaerts, A.; Smits, E.; Vanlanduit, S.; Lin, A.
Title OrBITS : label-free and time-lapse monitoring of patient derived organoids for advanced drug screening Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Cellular Oncology (2211-3428) Abbreviated Journal Cell Oncol
Volume Issue Pages 1-16
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Background Patient-derived organoids are invaluable for fundamental and translational cancer research and holds great promise for personalized medicine. However, the shortage of available analysis methods, which are often single-time point, severely impede the potential and routine use of organoids for basic research, clinical practise, and pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Methods Here, we developed a high-throughput compatible and automated live-cell image analysis software that allows for kinetic monitoring of organoids, named Organoid Brightfield Identification-based Therapy Screening (OrBITS), by combining computer vision with a convolutional network machine learning approach. The OrBITS deep learning analysis approach was validated against current standard assays for kinetic imaging and automated analysis of organoids. A drug screen of standard-of-care lung and pancreatic cancer treatments was also performed with the OrBITS platform and compared to the gold standard, CellTiter-Glo 3D assay. Finally, the optimal parameters and drug response metrics were identified to improve patient stratification. Results OrBITS allowed for the detection and tracking of organoids in routine extracellular matrix domes, advanced Gri3D (R)-96 well plates, and high-throughput 384-well microplates, solely based on brightfield imaging. The obtained organoid Count, Mean Area, and Total Area had a strong correlation with the nuclear staining, Hoechst, following pairwise comparison over a broad range of sizes. By incorporating a fluorescent cell death marker, infra-well normalization for organoid death could be achieved, which was tested with a 10-point titration of cisplatin and validated against the current gold standard ATP-assay, CellTiter-Glo 3D. Using this approach with OrBITS, screening of chemotherapeutics and targeted therapies revealed further insight into the mechanistic action of the drugs, a feature not achievable with the CellTiter-Glo 3D assay. Finally, we advise the use of the growth rate-based normalised drug response metric to improve accuracy and consistency of organoid drug response quantification. Conclusion Our findings validate that OrBITS, as a scalable, automated live-cell image analysis software, would facilitate the use of patient-derived organoids for drug development and therapy screening. The developed wet-lab workflow and software also has broad application potential, from providing a launching point for further brightfield-based assay development to be used for fundamental research, to guiding clinical decisions for personalized medicine.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000898426100001 Publication Date 2022-12-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2211-3428; 2211-3436 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192698 Serial 7272
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Author Tampieri, F.; Espona-Noguera, A.; Labay, C.; Ginebra, M.-P.; Yusupov, M.; Bogaerts, A.; Canal, C.
Title Does non-thermal plasma modify biopolymers in solution? A chemical and mechanistic study for alginate Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2023 Publication Biomaterials Science Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract In the last decades, non-thermal plasma has been extensively investigated as a relevant tool for various biomedical applications, ranging from tissue decontamination to regeneration and from skin treatment to tumor therapies. This high versatility is due to the different kinds and amount of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can be generated during a plasma treatment and put in contact with the biological target. Some recent studies report that solutions of biopolymers with the ability to generate hydrogels, when treated with plasma, can enhance the generation of reactive species and influence their stability, resulting thus in the ideal media for indirect treatments of biological targets. The direct effects of the plasma treatment on the structure of biopolymers in water solution, as well as the chemical mechanisms responsible for the enhanced generation of RONS, are not yet fully understood. In this study, we aim at filling this gap by investigating, on the one hand, the nature and extent of the modifications induced by plasma treatment in alginate solutions, and, on the other hand, at using this information to explain the mechanisms responsible for the enhanced generation of reactive species as a consequence of the treatment. The approach we use is twofold: (i) investigating the effects of plasma treatment on alginate solutions, by size exclusion chromatography, rheology and scanning electron microscopy and (ii) study of a molecular model (glucuronate) sharing its chemical structure, by chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and by molecular dynamics simulations. Our results point out the active role of the biopolymer chemistry during direct plasma treatment. Short-lived reactive species, such as OH radicals and O atoms, can modify the polymer structure, affecting its functional groups and causing partial fragmentation. Some of these chemical modifications, like the generation of organic peroxide, are likely responsible for the secondary generation of long-lived reactive species such as hydrogen peroxide and nitrite ions. This is relevant in view of using biocompatible hydrogels as vehicles for storage and delivery reactive species for targeted therapies.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000973699000001 Publication Date 2023-04-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2047-4830 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, SGR2022-1368 ; H2020 European Research Council, 714793 ; European Cooperation in Science and Technology, CA19110 CA20114 ; Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, PID2019-103892RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 ; We thank Gonzalo Rodríguez Cañada and Xavier Solé-Martí (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) for help in collecting some of the experimental data and for the useful discussions. This work has been primarily funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement no. 714793). The authors acknowledge MINECO for PID2019103892RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 project (CC). The authors belong to SGR2022-1368 (FT, AEN, CL, MPG, CC) and acknowledge Generalitat de Catalunya for the ICREA Academia Award for Excellence in Research of CC. We thank also COST Actions CA20114 (Therapeutical Applications of Cold Plasmas) and CA19110 (Plasma Applications for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture) for the stimulating environment provided. Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2023 IF: 4.21
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:196773 Serial 8794
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Author Almabadi, M.H.; Truta, F.M.; Adamu, G.; Cowen, T.; Tertis, M.; Alanazi, K.D.M.; Stefan, M.-G.; Piletska, E.; Kiss, B.; Cristea, C.; De Wael, K.; Piletsky, S.A.; Cruz, A.G.
Title Integration of smart nanomaterials for highly selective disposable sensors and their forensic applications in amphetamine determination Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Electrochimica acta Abbreviated Journal
Volume 446 Issue Pages 142009-142010
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Screening drugs on the street and biological samples pose a challenge to law enforcement agencies due to existing detection methods and instrument limitations. Herein we present a graphene-assisted molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticle-based sensor for amphetamine. These nanoparticles are electroactive by incorporating ferrocene in their structure. These particles act as specific actuators in electrochemical sensors, and the presence of a ferrocene redox probe embedded in the structure allows the detection of non-electroactive amphetamine. In a control approach, nanoparticles were covalently immobilised onto electrochemical sensors by drop-casting using silanes. Alternatively, nanoparticles were immobilised employing 3D printing and a graphene ink composite. The electrochemical performance of both approaches was evaluated. As a result, 3D printed nanoMIPs/graphene sensors displayed the highest selectivity in spiked human plasma, with sensitivity at 73 nA nM-1, LOD of 68 nM (RSD 2.4%) when compared to the silane drop cast electrodes. The main advantage of the optimised 3D printing technology is that it allows quantitative determination of amphetamine, a nonelectroactive drug, challenging to detect with conventional electrochemical sensors. In addition, the costefficient 3D printing method makes these sensors easy to manufacture, leading to robust, highly selective and sensitive sensors. As proof of concept, sensors were evaluated on the street specimens and clinically relevant samples and successfully validated using UPLC-MS.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000953087600001 Publication Date 2023-02-09
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0013-4686 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2023 IF: 4.798
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196145 Serial 8888
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Author Rabani, I.; Tahir, M.S.; Nisar, S.; Parrilla, M.; Truong, H.B.; Kim, M.; Seo, Y.-S.
Title Fabrication of larger surface area of ZIF8@ZIF67 reverse core-shell nanostructures for energy storage applications Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Electrochimica acta Abbreviated Journal
Volume 475 Issue Pages 143532-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract The construction of uniform nanostructure with larger surface area electrodes is a huge challenge for the highvalue added energy storage application. Herein, we demonstrates ZIF67@ZIF8 (core-shell) and ZIF8@ZIF67 (reverse core-shell) nanostructures using a low-cost wet chemical route and used them as supercapacitors. Pristine ZIF-67 and ZIF-8 was used as reference electrodes. Benefiting from the synergistic effect between the ZIF8 and ZIF67, the ZIF8@ZIF67 exhibited the outstanding electrochemical consequences owing to its larger surface area with uniform hexagonal morphology. As optimized ZIF8@ZIF67 nanostructure displayed the highcapacity of 1521 F/g at 1 A/g of current density in a three-electrode assembly in 1 M KOH electrolyte compared with other as-fabricated electrodes. In addition, the ZIF8@ZIF67 nanostructure employed into the symmetric supercapacitors (SSCs) with 1 M KOH electrolyte in two-electrode setup and it exhibited still superior output including capacity (249.8 F/g at 1 A/g), remarkable repeatability (87 % over 10,000 GCD cycles) along with high energy and power density (61.2 Wh/kg & 1260 W/kg). The present study uncovers the relationship between the larger surface area and electrocatalyst performance, supporting an effective approach to prepare favorable materials for enhanced capacity, extended lifespan, and energy density.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001134022100001 Publication Date 2023-12-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0013-4686 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2024 IF: 4.798
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:202082 Serial 9036
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Author Minja, A.C.; Ag, K.R.; Raes, A.; Borah, R.; Verbruggen, S.W.
Title Recent progress in developing non-noble metal-based photocathodes for solar green hydrogen production Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 43 Issue Pages 101000
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology
Abstract Photocathodes play a vital role in photoelectrocatalytic water splitting by acting as catalysts for reducing protons to hydrogen gas when exposed to light. Recent advancements in photocathodes have focused on addressing the limitations of noble metal-based materials. These noble metal-based photocathodes rely on expensive and scarce metals such as platinum and gold as cocatalysts or ohmic back contacts, respectively, rendering the final system less sustainable and costly when applied at scale. This mini-review summarizes the important recent progress in the development of non-noble metal-based photocathodes and their performance in the hydrogen evolution reaction during photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. These advancements bring non-noble metal-based photocathodes closer to their noble metal-based counterparts in terms of performance, thereby paving the way forward toward industrial-scale photoelectrolyzers or PEC cells for green hydrogen production.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001166826200001 Publication Date 2024-01-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2211-3398 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2024 IF: 3.403
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:202625 Serial 9080
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Author Raes, A.; Minja, A.C.; Ag, K.R.; Verbruggen, S.W.
Title Recent advances in metal-doped defective TiO₂ for photocatalytic CO₂ conversion Type A1 Journal article
Year 2024 Publication Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 44 Issue Pages 101013-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology
Abstract Introducing defects in TiO2-based photocatalytic materials is a promising strategy for improving light-driven CO2 reduction. However, defects such as oxygen vacancies are generally unstable. As a solution and to further enhance the photocatalytic activity, metal doping has been applied. This mini review aims to summarize recent progress in this particular field. Herein, we have classified metal-doped architectures into three different categories: single metal doping, alloy- and co-doping, and doping of morphologically nanoengineered TiO2−x substrates. The direct relationship between specific metals and product selectivity remains complex, as selectivity can vary significantly among seemingly similar materials. However, numerous methods do show promise in fine-tuning selectivity towards either CO or CH4. In terms of photocatalytic turnover, remarkable yields have been reported in isolated reports, but insufficient experimental data and divergent reaction conditions hamper a true comparison. This puts an emphasis on the need for standardized activity testing.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2024-03-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2211-3398 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor (up) 6.6 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2024 IF: 3.403
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:204462 Serial 9221
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Author Hamon, A.-L.; Verbeeck, J.; Schryvers, D.; Benedikt, J.; van den Sanden, R.M.C.M.
Title ELNES study of carbon K-edge spectra of plasma deposited carbon films Type A1 Journal article
Year 2004 Publication Journal of materials chemistry Abbreviated Journal J Mater Chem
Volume 14 Issue Pages 2030-2035
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Electron energy loss spectroscopy was used to investigate the bonding of plasma deposited carbon films. The experimental conditions include the use of a specific collection angle for which the shape of the spectra is free of the orientation dependency usually encountered in graphite due to its anisotropic structure. The first quantification process of the energy loss near-edge structure was performed by a standard fit of the collected spectrum, corrected for background and multiple scattering, with three Gaussian functions followed by a comparison with the graphite spectrum obtained under equivalent experimental conditions. In a second approach a fitting model directly incorporating the background subtraction and multiple scattering removal was applied. The final numerical results are interpreted in view of the deposition conditions of the films and the actual fitting procedure with the related choice of parameters.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor
Language Wos 000222312500017 Publication Date 2004-06-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0959-9428;1364-5501; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.626 Times cited 61 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:48782UA @ admin @ c:irua:48782 Serial 1025
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Author Zewdie, M.C.; Van Passel, S.; Moretti, M.; Annys, S.; Tenessa, D.B.; Ayele, Z.A.; Tsegaye, E.A.; Cools, J.; Minale, A.S.; Nyssen, J.
Title Pathways how irrigation water affects crop revenue of smallholder farmers in northwest Ethiopia: A mixed approach Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Agricultural Water Management Abbreviated Journal Agr Water Manage
Volume 233 Issue Pages 106101
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000525291200025 Publication Date 2020-02-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0378-3774 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited Open Access
Notes Bahir Dar University – Institutional University Cooperation; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 2.848
Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:167592 Serial 6353
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Author Payne, L.M.; Albrecht, W.; Langbein, W.; Borri, P.
Title The optical nanosizer – quantitative size and shape analysis of individual nanoparticles by high-throughput widefield extinction microscopy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Nanoparticles are widely utilised for a range of applications, from catalysis to medicine, requiring accurate knowledge of their size and shape. Current techniques for particle characterisation are either not very accurate or time consuming and expensive. Here we demonstrate a rapid and quantitative method for particle analysis based on measuring the polarisation-resolved optical extinction cross-section of hundreds of individual nanoparticles using wide-field microscopy, and determining the particle size and shape from the optical properties. We show measurements on three samples consisting of nominally spherical gold nanoparticles of 20 nm and 30 nm diameter, and gold nanorods of 30 nm length and 10 nm diameter. Nanoparticle sizes and shapes in three dimensions are deduced from the measured optical cross-sections at different wavelengths and light polarisation, by solving the inverse problem, using an ellipsoid model of the particle polarisability in the dipole limit. The sensitivity of the method depends on the experimental noise and the choice of wavelengths. We show an uncertainty down to about 1 nm in mean diameter, and 10% in aspect ratio when using two or three color channels, for a noise of about 50 nm<sup>2</sup>in the measured cross-section. The results are in good agreement with transmission electron microscopy, both 2D projection and tomography, of the same sample batches. Owing to its combination of experimental simplicity, ease of access to statistics over many particles, accuracy, and geometrical particle characterisation in 3D, this “optical nanosizer” method has the potential to become the technique of choice for quality control in next-generation particle manufacturing.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000558928800022 Publication Date 2020-07-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by a Welsh Government Life Sciences Bridging Fund (grant LSBF/R6-005) and by the UK EPSRC (grant no. EP/I005072/1 and EP/M028313/1). PB acknowledges the Royal Society for her Wolfson research merit award (grant WM140077). The authors acknowledge funding from the European Commission (Grant EUSMI E191000350). WA acknowledges an Individual Fellowship from the Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) under the EU’s Horizon 2020 program (Grant 797153, SOPMEN), and Sara Bals for supporting the STEM measurements. The bright-field TEM was performed by Thomas Davies at Cardiff University. We acknowledge Attilio Zilli for helpful discussions and contributions in calculating the relative field strengths in the illumination and finite-element simulation of cross-sections shown in the ESI.† We acknowledge Iestyn Pope for technical support of the optical equipment. Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 7.367
Call Number UA @ lucian @c:irua:170485 Serial 6397
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Author Bekaert, J.; Sevik, C.; Milošević, M.V.
Title First-principles exploration of superconductivity in MXenes Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 12 Issue Pages 17354-17361
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract MXenes are an emerging class of two-dimensional materials, which in their thinnest limit consist of a monolayer of carbon or nitrogen (X) sandwiched between two transition metal (M) layers. We have systematically searched for superconductivity among MXenes for a range of transition metal elements, based on a full first-principles characterization in combination with the Eliashberg formalism. Thus, we identified six superconducting MXenes: three carbides (Mo2C, W2C and Sc2C) and three nitrides (Mo2N, W2N and Ta2N). The highest critical temperature of similar to 16 K is found in Mo2N, for which a successful synthesis method has been established [Urbankowskiet al.,Nanoscale, 2017,9, 17722-17730]. Moreover, W2N presents a novel case of competing superconducting and charge density wave phases.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000563481700017 Publication Date 2020-08-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 15 Open Access
Notes ; This work is supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the contract number COST-118F187, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under award number FA9550-19-1-7048, by Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO) and the University of Antwerp (BOF). The collaboration was fostered by COST action NANOCOHYBRI (CA16218). Computational resources were provided by the High Performance and Grid Computing Center (TRGrid e-Infrastructure) of TUBITAK ULAKBIM, the National Center for High Performance Computing (UHeM) of Istanbul Technical University, and by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Government – department EWI. J. B. acknowledges support of a postdoctoral fellowship of the FWO. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 7.367
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:171988 Serial 6521
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Author Sozen, Y.; Eren, I.; Ozen, S.; Yagmurcukardes, M.; Sahin, H.
Title Interaction of Ge with single layer GaAs : from Ge-island nucleation to formation of novel stable monolayers Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Applied Surface Science Abbreviated Journal Appl Surf Sci
Volume 505 Issue Pages 144218-7
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000510846500026 Publication Date 2019-11-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-4332 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited Open Access
Notes ; Computational resources were provided by TUBITAK ULAKBIM, High Performance and Grid Computing Center (TR-Grid eInfrastructure). H.S. acknowledges financial support from the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the project number 117F095. H.S. acknowledges support from Turkish Academy of Sciences under the GEBIP program. This work is supported by the Flemish Science Foundation (FWO-Vl) by a postdoctoral fellowship (M.Y.). ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 3.387
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:167733 Serial 6548
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Author Lu, Y.; Liu, Y.-X.; He, L.; Wang, L.-Y.; Liu, X.-L.; Liu, J.-W.; Li, Y.-Z.; Tian, G.; Zhao, H.; Yang, X.-H.; Liu, J.; Janiak, C.; Lenaerts, S.; Yang, X.-Y.; Su, B.-L.
Title Interfacial co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies in nanostructured TiO₂ for enhancement of carrier transport Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 12 Issue 15 Pages 8364-8370
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The interfacial co-existence of oxygen and metal vacancies in metal oxide semiconductors and their highly efficient carrier transport have rarely been reported. This work reports on the co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies at the interface between TiO2 and rGO via a simple two-step calcination treatment. Experimental measurements show that the oxygen and titanium vacancies are formed under 550 degrees C/Ar and 350 degrees C/air calcination conditions, respectively. These oxygen and titanium vacancies significantly enhance the transport of interfacial carriers, and thus greatly improve the photocurrent performances, the apparent quantum yield, and photocatalysis such as photocatalytic H-2 production from water-splitting, photocatalytic CO2 reduction and photo-electrochemical anticorrosion of metals. A new “interfacial co-existence of oxygen and titanium vacancies” phenomenon, and its characteristics and mechanism are proposed at the atomic-/nanoscale to clarify the generation of oxygen and titanium vacancies as well as the interfacial carrier transport.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000529201500029 Publication Date 2020-02-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes ; This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51861135313, U1663225, U1662134, and 51472190), the International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of China (2015DFE52870), the Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University (IRT_15R52), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (19lgpy113 and 19lgzd16), the Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Plan (20180101208JC) and the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (2016CFA033). ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 7.367
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:169578 Serial 6550
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Author Vishwakarma, M.; Agrawal, K.; Hadermann, J.; Mehta, B.R.
Title Investigating the effect of sulphurization on volatility of compositions in Cu-poor and Sn-rich CZTS thin films Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Applied Surface Science Abbreviated Journal Appl Surf Sci
Volume 507 Issue Pages 145043
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract In the present work, the Cu-poor and Sn-rich CZTS thin films were prepared in order to study the volatility of Sn with respect to other components. Thin film compositions were kept intentionally Sn-rich to understand the behaviour of loss and segregation of Sn during sulphurization. The homogeneous composition distribution in precursor thin films turns heterogeneous with a change in morphology after sulphurization. The inability of identifying nanoscale secondary phases in CZTS thin film by conventional analytical techniques such as XRD and Raman, can be fulfilled by employing HAADF-STEM analysis. XPS and HAADF-STEM analyses provide the quantification of nanoscale secondary phases across the thin film and surface, respectively. The volatility of Sn was revealed in the form of segregation in the middle layer of CZTS cross-sectional lamella rather than loss to annealing atmosphere. It was observed that among the cations of CZTS, Sn segregates more than Cu, while Zn segregates least. The nanoscale spurious phases were observed to vary across different regions in the sulphurized CZTS sample. The reactive annealing lead to grain growth and formation of grain boundary features in the CZTS thin films, where annealing significantly modifies the potential difference and band bending at grain boundaries with respect to intra-grains.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000520021200053 Publication Date 2019-12-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-4332 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 4 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; Authors acknowledges support provided by DST, India in the forms of InSOL project. We also acknowledge Dr. Indrani Mishra for XPS measurements and DST-FIST Raman facility for Raman measurements. Manoj Vishwakarma acknowledges IIT Delhi, New Delhi, India for MHRD fellowship. Prof. B.R. Mehta acknowledges the support of the Schlumberger chair professorship. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 3.387
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:168603 Serial 6552
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Author Bafekry, A.; Akgenc, B.; Shayesteh, S.F.; Mortazavi, B.
Title Tunable electronic and magnetic properties of graphene/carbon-nitride van der Waals heterostructures Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Applied Surface Science Abbreviated Journal Appl Surf Sci
Volume 505 Issue Pages 144450-144459
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
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.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000510846500052 Publication Date 2019-11-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-4332 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 26 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 3.387
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:167732 Serial 6638
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Author Baskurt, M.; Eren, I.; Yagmurcukardes, M.; Sahin, H.
Title Vanadium dopant- and strain-dependent magnetic properties of single-layer VI₃ Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Applied Surface Science Abbreviated Journal Appl Surf Sci
Volume 508 Issue Pages 144937-6
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Motivated by the recent synthesis of two-dimensional VI3 [Kong et al. Adv. Mater. 31, 1808074 (2019)], we investigate the effect of V doping on the magnetic and electronic properties of monolayer VI3 by means of first-principles calculations. The dynamically stable semiconducting ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) phases of monolayer VI3 are found to display distinctive vibrational features that the magnetic state can be distinguished by Raman spectroscopy. In order to clarify the effect of experimentally observed excessive V atoms, the magnetic and electronic properties of the V-doped VI3 structures are analyzed. Our findings indicate that partially doped VI3 structures display FM ground state while the fully-doped structure exhibits AFM ground state. The fully-doped monolayer VI3 is found to be a semiconductor with a relatively larger band gap than its pristine structure. In addition, strain-dependent electronic and magnetic properties of fully- and partially-doped VI3 structures reveal that pristine monolayer displays a FM-to-AFM phase transition with robust semiconducting nature for 5% of compressive strain, while fully-doped monolayer VI3 structure possesses AFM-to-FM semiconducting transition at tensile strains larger than 4%. In contrast, the partially-doped VI3 monolayers are found to display robust FM ground state under biaxial strain. Its dopant and strain tunable electronic and magnetic nature makes monolayer VI3 a promising material for applications in nanoscale spintronic devices.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000516818700040 Publication Date 2019-12-24
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-4332 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 10 Open Access
Notes ; Computational resources were provided by TUBITAK ULAKBIM, High Performance and Grid Computing Center (TR-Grid e-Infrastructure). H.S. Acknowledges financial support from the TUBITAK under the project number 117F095. H.S. acknowledges support from Turkish Academy of Sciences under the GEBIP program. This work is supported by the Flemish Science Foundation (FWO-Vl) by a postdoctoral fellowship (M.Y.). ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 3.387
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:168595 Serial 6652
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Author Obeid, M.M.; Bafekry, A.; Rehman, S.U.; Nguyen, C., V.
Title A type-II GaSe/HfS₂ van der Waals heterostructure as promising photocatalyst with high carrier mobility Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Applied Surface Science Abbreviated Journal Appl Surf Sci
Volume 534 Issue Pages 147607
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract In this paper, the electronic, optical, and photocatalytic properties of GaSe/HfS2 heterostructure are studied via first-principles calculations. The stability of the vertically stacked heterobilayers is validated by the binding energy, phonon spectrum, and ab initio molecular dynamics simulation. The results reveal that the most stable GaSe/HfS2 heterobilayer retains a type-II alignment with an indirect bandgap 1.40 eV. As well, the results also show strong optical absorption intensity in the studied heterostructure (1.8 x 10(5) cm(-1)). The calculated hole mobility is 1376 cm(2) V-1 s(-1), while electron mobility reaches 911 cm(2) V-1 s(-1) along the armchair and zigzag directions. By applying an external electric field, the bandgap and band offset of the designed heterostructure can be effectively modified. Remarkably, a stronger external electric field can create nearly free electron states in the vicinity of the bottom of the conduction band, which induces indirect-to-direct bandgap transition as well as a semiconductor-to-metal transition. In contrast, the electronic properties of GaSe/HfS2 heterostructure are predicted to be insensitive to biaxial strain. The current work reveals that GaSe/HfS2 heterostructure is a promising candidate as a novel photocatalytic material for hydrogen generation in the visible range.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000582367700045 Publication Date 2020-08-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-4332 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 3.387
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:174301 Serial 6682
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Author Van Dijck, J.G.; Mampuys, P.; Ching, H.Y.V.; Krishnan, D.; Baert, K.; Hauffman, T.; Verbeeck, J.; Van Doorslaer, S.; Maes, B.U.W.; Dorbec, M.; Buekenhoudt, A.; Meynen, V.
Title Synthesis – properties correlation and the unexpected role of the titania support on the Grignard surface modification Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Applied Surface Science Abbreviated Journal Appl Surf Sci
Volume 527 Issue Pages 146851-17
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Organic synthesis (ORSY); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Abstract While the impact of reaction conditions on surface modification with Grignard reactants has been studied for silica supports, such information is absent for metal oxides like titania. Differences between modified titania and silica are observed, making it paramount to explore the reaction mechanism. A detailed study on the impact of the reaction conditions is reported, with a focus on the chain length of the alkyl Grignard reactant, its concentration, the reaction time and temperature, and the type of titania support. While the increase in the chain length reduces the amount of organic groups on the surface, the concentration, time and temperature show little/no influence on the modification degree. However, the type of titania support used and the percentage of amorphous phase present has a significant impact on the amount of grafted groups. Even though the temperature and concentration show no clear impact on the modification degree, they can cause changes in the surface hydroxyl population, which are thus not linked to the modification degree. Furthermore, the titania support is reduced during functionalization. This reduction dependents on the reaction temperature, the titania support and the chain length of the Grignard reactant. Similarly, this reduction is not linked to the modification degree.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000564205300003 Publication Date 2020-06-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-4332 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 5 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; The FWO (Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) is gratefully acknowledged for the VITO-FWO grant of fellow Jeroen G. Van Dijck (11W9416N) and the financial support granted in project GO12712N. The E.U. is acknowledged for H.Y. Vincent Ching's H2020-MSCA-IF (grant number 792946, iSPY). Dileep Krishnan and Johan Verbeeck acknowledge funding from GOA project “solarpaint” of the University of Antwerp. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2020 IF: 3.387
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:169722 Serial 6712
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Author Yayak, Y.O.; Sozen, Y.; Tan, F.; Gungen, D.; Gao, Q.; Kang, J.; Yagmurcukardes, M.; Sahin, H.
Title First-principles investigation of structural, Raman and electronic characteristics of single layer Ge3N4 Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Applied surface science Abbreviated Journal Appl Surf Sci
Volume 572 Issue Pages 151361
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract By means of density functional theory-based first-principle calculations, the structural, vibrational and electronic properties of single-layer Ge3N4 are investigated. Structural optimizations and phonon band dispersions reveal that single-layer ultrathin form of Ge3N4 possesses a dynamically stable buckled structure with large hexagonal holes. Predicted Raman spectrum of single-layer Ge3N4 indicates that the buckled holey structure of the material exhibits distinctive vibrational features. Electronic band dispersion calculations indicate the indirect band gap semiconducting nature of single-layer Ge3N4. It is also proposed that single-layer Ge3N4 forms type-II vertical heterostructures with various planar and puckered 2D materials except for single-layer GeSe which gives rise to a type-I band alignment. Moreover, the electronic properties of single-layer Ge3N4 are investigated under applied external in-plane strain. It is shown that while the indirect gap behavior of Ge3N4 is unchanged by the applied strain, the energy band gap increases (decreases) with tensile (compressive) strain.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000723664000006 Publication Date 2021-10-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0169-4332 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184752 Serial 6993
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Author Fatermans, J.; Romolini, G.; Altantzis, T.; Hofkens, J.; Roeffaers, M.B.J.; Bals, S.; Van Aert, S.
Title Atomic-scale detection of individual lead clusters confined in Linde Type A zeolites Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Abstract Structural analysis of metal clusters confined in nanoporous materials is typically performed by X-ray-driven techniques. Although X-ray analysis has proved its strength in the characterization of metal clusters, it provides averaged structural information. Therefore, we here present an alternative workflow for bringing the characterization of confined metal clusters towards the local scale. This workflow is based on the combination of aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM), TEM image simulations, and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) with advanced statistical techniques. In this manner, we were able to characterize the clustering of Pb atoms in Linde Type A (LTA) zeolites with Pb loadings as low as 5 wt%. Moreover, individual Pb clusters could be directly detected. The proposed methodology thus enables a local-scale characterization of confined metal clusters in zeolites. This is important for further elucidation of the connection between the structure and the physicochemical properties of such systems.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000809619900001 Publication Date 0000-00-00
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 2 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors acknowledge the Research Foundation Flanders through project fundings (FWO, G026718N, G050218N, ZW15_09-G0H6316N, and W002221N) and through a PhD scholarship to G.R. (grant 11C6920N), as well as iBOF-21-085 PERSIST. T.A. and S.V.A. acknowledge funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF). J.H. acknowledges the Flemish government through long-term structural funding Methusalem (CASAS2, Meth/15/04) and the MPI as MPI fellow. M.R. acknowledges funding by the KU Leuven Research Fund (C14/19/079). S.B. and S.V.A. acknowledge funding from the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (ERC Consolidator Grants No. 815128−REALNANO and No. 770887−PICOMETRICS). The authors thank Dr. D. Chernyshov for the collection of XRD measurements. Approved Most recent IF: 6.7
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:189061 Serial 7076
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Author Wang, Y.; Sztranyovszky, Z.; Zilli, A.; Albrecht, W.; Bals, S.; Borri, P.; Langbein, W.
Title Quantitatively linking morphology and optical response of individual silver nanohedra Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 14 Issue 30 Pages 11028-11037
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract The optical response of metal nanoparticles is governed by plasmonic resonances, which are dictated by the particle morphology. A thorough understanding of the link between morphology and optical response requires quantitatively measuring optical and structural properties of the same particle. Here we present such a study, correlating electron tomography and optical micro-spectroscopy. The optical measurements determine the scattering and absorption cross-section spectra in absolute units, and electron tomography determines the 3D morphology. Numerical simulations of the spectra for the individual particle geometry, and the specific optical set-up used, allow for a quantitative comparison including the cross-section magnitude. Silver nanoparticles produced by photochemically driven colloidal synthesis, including decahedra, tetrahedra and bi-tetrahedra are investigated. A mismatch of measured and simulated spectra is found in some cases when assuming pure silver particles, which is explained by the presence of a few atomic layers of tarnish on the surface, not evident in electron tomography. The presented method tightens the link between particle morphology and optical response, supporting the predictive design of plasmonic nanomaterials.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000828704000001 Publication Date 2022-07-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2040-3364; 2040-3372 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Z.S. acknowledges the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for his Ph.D. studentship award (grant EP/R513003/1). Y.W. acknowledges Iwan Moreels (University of Ghent) for training in nanoparticle synthesis. Y.W. acknowledges the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for his Ph.D. studentship award (grant BB/L015889/1). This work was supported by the UK EPSRC (grants EP/I005072/1 and EP/M028313/1), and by the European Commission (EUSMI E191000350). W.A. acknowledges an Individual Fellowship from the Marie Skodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) under the EU's Horizon 2020 program (Grant 797153, SOPMEN). We thank Lukas Payne and Iestyn Pope for contributions to the development of the hardware and software used for the optical measurements. Approved Most recent IF: 6.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:189578 Serial 7092
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Author Bekaert, J.; Sevik, C.; Milošević, M.V.
Title Enhancing superconductivity in MXenes through hydrogenation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 14 Issue 27 Pages 9918-9924
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides (MXenes) are an emerging class of atomically-thin superconductors, whose characteristics are highly prone to tailoring by surface functionalization. Here we explore the use of hydrogen adatoms to enhance phonon-mediated superconductivity in MXenes, based on first-principles calculations combined with Eliashberg theory. We first demonstrate the stability of three different structural models of hydrogenated Mo- and W-based MXenes. Particularly high critical temperatures of over 30 K are obtained for hydrogenated Mo2N and W2N. Several mechanisms responsible for the enhanced electron-phonon coupling are uncovered, namely (i) hydrogen-induced changes in the phonon spectrum of the host MXene, (ii) emerging hydrogen-based phonon modes, and (iii) charge transfer from hydrogen to the MXene layer, boosting the density of states at the Fermi level. Finally, we demonstrate that hydrogen adatoms are moreover able to induce superconductivity in MXenes that are not superconducting in pristine form, such as Nb2C.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000820350600001 Publication Date 2022-06-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2040-3364; 2040-3372 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 2 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:189580 Serial 7155
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Author Faraji, F.; Neek-Amal, M.; Neyts, E.C.; Peeters, F.M.
Title Indentation of graphene nano-bubbles Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 14 Issue 15 Pages 5876-5883
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the effect of an AFM tip when indenting graphene nano bubbles filled by a noble gas (i.e. He, Ne and Ar) up to the breaking point. The failure points resemble those of viral shells as described by the Foppl-von Karman (FvK) dimensionless number defined in the context of elasticity theory of thin shells. At room temperature, He gas inside the bubbles is found to be in the liquid state while Ne and Ar atoms are in the solid state although the pressure inside the nano bubble is below the melting pressure of the bulk. The trapped gases are under higher hydrostatic pressure at low temperatures than at room temperature.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000776763000001 Publication Date 2022-03-30
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2040-3364; 2040-3372 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor (up) 6.7 Times cited 2 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:187924 Serial 7171
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