“Engineering properties by long range symmetry propagation initiated at perovskite heterostructure interface”. Liao ZL, Green RJ, Gauquelin N, Gonnissen J, Van Aert S, Verbeeck J, et al, Advanced functional materials , 1 (2016)
Abstract: In epitaxial thin film systems, the crystal structure and its symmetry deviate from the bulk counterpart due to various mechanisms such as epitaxial strain and interfacial structural coupling, which induce an accompanying change in their properties. In perovskite materials, the crystal symmetry can be described by rotations of 6-fold coordinated transition metal oxygen octahedra, which are found to be altered at interfaces. Here, we unravel how the local oxygen octahedral coupling (OOC) at perovskite heterostructural interfaces initiates a different symmetry in epitaxial films and provide design rules to induce various symmetries in thin films by careful selecting appropriate combinations of substrate/buffer/film. Very interestingly we discovered that these combinations lead to symmetry changes throughout the full thickness of the film. Our results provide a deep insight into understanding the origin of induced crystal symmetry in a perovskite heterostructure and an intelligent route to achieve unique functional properties.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
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“Encapsulation of Noble Metal Nanoparticles through Seeded Emulsion Polymerization as Highly Stable Plasmonic Systems”. Scarabelli L, Schumacher M, Jimenez de Aberasturi D, Merkl J‐P, Henriksen‐Lacey M, Milagres de Oliveira T, Janschel M, Schmidtke C, Bals S, Weller H, Liz‐Marzán LM, Advanced functional materials 29, 1809071 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201809071
Abstract: The implementation of plasmonic nanoparticles in vivo remains hindered by important limitations such as biocompatibility, solubility in biological fluids, and physiological stability. A general and versatile protocol is presented, based on seeded emulsion polymerization, for the controlled encapsulation of gold and silver nanoparticles. This procedure enables the encapsulation of single nanoparticles as well as nanoparticle clusters inside a protecting polymer shell. Specifically, the efficient coating of nanoparticles of both metals is demonstrated, with final dimensions ranging between 50 and 200 nm, i.e., sizes of interest for bio-applications. Such hybrid nanocomposites display extraordinary stability in high ionic strength and oxidizing environments, along with high cellular uptake, and low cytotoxicity. Overall, the prepared nanostructures are promising candidates for plasmonic applications under biologically relevant conditions.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 19
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201809071
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“Combined use of synchrotron-radiation-based imaging techniques for the characterization of structured catalysts”. Basile F, Benito P, Bugani S, de Nolf W, Fornasari G, Janssens K, Morselli L, Scavetta E, Tonelli D, Vaccari A, Advanced functional materials 20, 4117 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1002/ADFM.201001004
Abstract: Active-phase-coated metallic supports as structured catalysts are gaining attention in endothermic and exothermic processes because they improve heat transfer. The deposition of a well-adhered and stable catalyst layer on the metallic support constitutes an important feature for the successful application of the final material. In this work, coating of FeCrAlY foams is performed by a one-step electrosynthesis-deposition of hydrotalcite-type compounds, precursors of catalysts active in endothermic steam methane reforming. The catalysts are studied at different length scales by using, for the first time, a combination of several techniques: SEM/EDS and X-ray fluorescence, X-ray powder diffraction and absorption-tomography experiments on the micro- and nanoscales at a synchrotron facility. The results show that the morphology of the coating depends on the synthesis conditions and that the catalyst may be described as Ni metal crystallites dispersed on γ-Al2O3, homogeneously coating the FeCrAlY foam.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Impact Factor: 12.124
Times cited: 24
DOI: 10.1002/ADFM.201001004
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