Abstract: We report on the design of nanosystems based on functionalized -Fe 2 O 3 nanostructures supported on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates. The target materials were developed by means of hybrid vapor phase approaches, combining plasma assisted-chemical vapor deposition (PA-CVD) for the production of iron(III) oxide systems and the subsequent radio frequency (RF)-sputtering or atomic layer deposition (ALD) for the functionalization with Au nanoparticles or TiO 2 overlayers, respectively. The interplay between material characteristics and the adopted processing parameters was investigated by complementary analytical techniques, encompassing X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). The obtained results highlight the possibility of fabricating Au/ -Fe 2 O 3 nanocomposites, with a controlled dispersion and distribution of metal particles, and TiO 2 / -Fe 2 O 3 heterostructures, characterized by an intimate coupling between the constituent oxides.

Abstract: This work presents a morphological and structural analysis of CVD diamond growth on silicon from nanodiamond seeds covered by a 50 nm thick chromium layer. The role of carbon diffusion as well as chromium and carbon silicide formation is analyzed. The local diamond environment is investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy in combination with electron energy-loss spectroscopy. The evolution of the diamond phase composition (sp3/sp2) is evaluated by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Raman and X-ray diffraction analysis are used to identify the interfacial phases formed during CVD growth. Based upon the observed morphological and structural evolution, a diamond growth model from nanodiamond seeds buried beneath a thin Cr layer is proposed.

Abstract: Evolution of crystalline phases with temperature has been studied in materials produced by high-pressure high-temperature treatment of 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane dimer (9BBN), triphenylborane and trimesitylborane. The boron-doped diamond nanoparticles with a size below 10 nm were obtained at 8–9 GPa and temperatures 970–1250 °C from 9BBN only. Bridged structure and the presence of boron atom in the carbon cycle of 9BBN were revealed to be a key point for the direct synthesis of doped diamond nanocrystals. The diffusional transformation of the disordered carbon phase is suggested to be the main mechanism of the nanodiamond formation from 9BBN in the temperature range of 970–1400 °C. Aqueous suspensions of primary boron-doped diamond nanocrystals were prepared upon removal of non-diamond phases that opens wide opportunities for application of this new nanomaterial in electronics and biotechnologies.

Abstract: Photo-activated processes have been widely recognized as cost-effective and environmentally friendly routes for both renewable energy generation and purification/cleaning technologies. We report herein on a plasma- assisted approach for the synthesis of Fe 2 O 3 -TiO 2 nanosystems functionalized with Au nanoparticles. Fe 2 O 3 nanostructures were grown by plasma enhanced-chemical vapor deposition, followed by the sequential sputtering of titanium and gold under controlled conditions, and final annealing in air. The target nanosystems were subjected to a thorough multi-technique characterization, in order to elucidate the interrelations between their chemico-physical properties and the processing conditions. Finally, the functional performances were preliminarily investigated in both sunlight-assisted H 2 O splitting and photocatalytic activity tests in view of self- cleaning applications. The obtained results highlight the possibility of tailoring the system behaviour and candidate the present Fe 2 O 3 -TiO 2 -Au nanosystems as possible multi-functional low-cost platforms for light-activated processes.

Abstract: In the framework of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action MP1103 Nanostructured Materials for Solid-State Hydrogen Storage were synthesized, characterized and modeled. This Action dealt with the state of the art of energy storage and set up a competitive and coordinated network capable to define new and unexplored ways for Solid State Hydrogen Storage by innovative and interdisciplinary research within the European Research Area. An important number of new compounds have been synthesized: metal hydrides, complex hydrides, metal halide ammines and amidoboranes. Tuning the structure from bulk to thin film, nanoparticles and nanoconfined composites improved the hydrogen sorption properties and opened the perspective to new technological applications. Direct imaging of the hydrogenation reactions and in situ measurements under operando conditions have been carried out in these studies. Computational screening methods allowed the prediction of suitable compounds for hydrogen storage and the modeling of the hydrogen sorption reactions on mono-, bi-, and three-dimensional systems. This manuscript presents a review of the main achievements of this Action. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Highly ordered thiol-ethylene bridged Periodic Mesoporous Organosilicas were synthesized directly from a homemade thiol-functionalized bis-silane precursor. These high surface area materials contain up to 4.3 mmol/g sulfur functions in the walls and can adsorb up to 1183 mg/g mercury ions. Raman spectroscopy reveals the existence of thiol and disulfide moieties. These groups have been evaluated by a combination of Raman spectroscopy, Ellman’s reagent and elemental analysis. The adsorption of mercury ions was evidenced by different techniques, including Raman, XPS and porosimetry, which indicate that thiol groups are highly accessible to mercury. Scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with EDX showed an even homogenous distribution of the sulfur atoms throughout the structure, and have revealed for the first time that a fraction of the adsorbed mercury is forming thiolate nanocrystals in the pores. The adsorbent is highly selective for mercury and can be regenerated and reused multiple times, maintaining its structure and functionalities and showing only a marginal loss of adsorption capacity after several runs.

Abstract: Aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations are used to solve several key questions about the surface structure, the particle morphology, and the distribution and nature of nitrogen impurities in detonation nanodiamond (DND) cleaned by a recently developed ozone treatment. All microscopy and spectroscopy measurements are performed at a lowered acceleration voltage (80/120kV), allowing prolonged and detailed experiments to be carried out while minimizing the risk of knock-on damage or surface graphitization of the nanodiamond. High-resolution TEM (HRTEM) demonstrates the stability of even the smallest nanodiamonds under electron illumination at low voltage and is used to image the surface structure of pristine DND. High resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) measurements on the fine structure of the carbon K-edge of nanodiamond demonstrate that the typical * pre-peak in fact consists of three sub-peaks that arise from the presence of, amongst others, minimal fullerene-like reconstructions at the nanoparticle surfaces and deviations from perfect sp(3) coordination at defects in the nanodiamonds. Spatially resolved EELS experiments evidence the presence of nitrogen within the core of DND particles. The nitrogen is present throughout the whole diamond core, and can be enriched at defect regions. By comparing the fine structure of the experimental nitrogen K-edge with calculated energy-loss near-edge structure (ELNES) spectra from DFT, the embedded nitrogen is most likely related to small amounts of single substitutional and/or A-center nitrogen, combined with larger nitrogen clusters.

Abstract: The combination of AgNO3 with NaH results in Ag nanoparticles that can selectively perform alcohol aminations under mild reaction conditions (110 °C). NaH not only serves as a reducing agent for the Ag salt, but also activates the alcohol for dehydrogenation to the corresponding ketone/aldehyde. The stability of the particles can be improved by immobilizing them onto mixed Al2O3Ga2O3 supports; the combination of Ga and Al provides materials with stronger Lewis acidic sites compared to pure alumina or gallium oxide supports. This leads to catalysts with enhanced activities, without the necessity of adding external Lewis acids. Detailed TEM characterization also reveals a close interaction between the Ag NPs and the gallium oxide phase. The obtained catalysts are recyclable and show activity for the alcohol amination using a variety of aliphatic and aromatic amines under mild conditions.

Abstract: Nano-sized ZnO particles with a narrow size distribution and high crystallinity were prepared from aqueous solutions with high concentrations of Zn2+ containing salts and citric acid in a conventional spray pyrolysis setup. Structure, morphology and size of the produced material were compared to ZnO material produced by simple spray pyrolysis of zinc nitrates in the same experimental setup. Using transmission electron microscopy and electron tomography it has been shown that citric acid-assisted spray pyrolysed material is made up of micron sized secondary particles comprising a shell of lightly agglomerated, monocrystalline primary ZnO nanoparticles with sizes in the 2030 nm range, separable by a simple ultrasonic treatment step.

Abstract: Theoretical studies exist to compute the atomic arrangement in gold nanowires and the influence on their electronic behavior with decreasing diameter. Experimental studies, e.g., by transmission electron microscopy, on chemically synthesized ultrafine wires are however lacking owing to the unavailability of suitable protocols for sample preparation and the stability of the wires under electron beam irradiation. In this work, we present an atomic scale structural investigation on quantum single crystalline gold nanowires of 2 nm diameter, chemically prepared on a carbon film grid. Using low dose aberration-corrected high resolution (S)TEM, we observe an inhomogeneous strain distribution in the crystal, largely concentrated at the twin boundaries and the surface along with the presence of facets and surface steps leading to a noncircular cross section of the wires. These structural aspects are critical inputs needed to determine their unique electronic character and their potential as a suitable catalyst material. Furthermore, electron-beam-induced structural changes at the atomic scale, having implications on their mechanical behavior and their suitability as interconnects, are discussed.

Abstract: We present the in situ synthesis of Au nanoparticles within the Zr based Metal Organic Framework, UiO-66. The resulting Au@UiO-66 materials were characterized by means of N-2 sorption, XRPD, UV-Vis, XRF, XPS and TEM analysis. The Au nanoparticles (NP) are homogeneously distributed along the UiO-66 host matrix when using NaBH4 or H-2 as reducing agents. The Au@UiO-66 materials were evaluated as catalysts in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and benzyl amine employing O-2 as oxidant. The Au@MOF materials exhibit a very high selectivity towards the ketone (up to 100%). Regenerability and stability tests demonstrate that the Au@UiO-66 catalyst can be recycled with a negligible loss of Au species and no loss of crystallinity. In situ IR measurements of UiO-66 and Au@UiO-66-NaBH4, before and after treatment with alcohol, showed an increase in IR bands that can be assigned to a combination of physisorbed and chemisorbed alcohol species. This was confirmed by velocity power spectra obtained from the molecular dynamics simulations. Active peroxo and oxo species on Au could be visualized with Raman analysis.

Abstract: Polycrystalline boron-doped superconducting diamond, synthesized at high pressure and high temperature (HPHT) via a reaction of a single piece of crystalline boron with monolithic graphite, has been investigated by analytical transmission electron microscopy. The local boron distribution and boron environment have been studied by a combination of (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) and spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). High resolution TEM imaging and EELS elemental mapping have established, for the first time, the presence of largely crystalline diamond-diamond grain boundaries within the material and have evidenced the presence of substitutional boron dopants within individual diamond grains. Confirmation of the presence of substitutional B dopants has been obtained through comparison of acquired boron K-edge EELS fine structures with known references. This confirmation is important to understand the origin of superconductivity in polycrystalline B-doped diamond. In addition to the substitutional boron doping, boron-rich inclusions and triple-points, both amorphous and crystalline, with chemical compositions close to boron carbide B4C, are evidenced. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract: Structural changes of a variety of different SnO, SnO2 and GeO2 catalysts upon reduction in hydrogen were correlated with associated catalytic changes in methanol steam reforming. Studied systems include SnO, SnO2 and GeO2 thin film model catalysts prepared by vapour phase deposition and growth on polycrystalline NaCl surfaces and, for comparison, the corresponding pure oxide powder catalysts. Reduction of both the SnO2 thin film and powder at around 673 K in 1 bar hydrogen leads to a substantial reduction of the bulk structure and yields a mixture of SnO2 and metallic β-Sn. On the powder catalyst this transformation is fully reversible upon oxidation in 1 bar O2 at 673 K. Strongly reduced thin films, however, can only be re-transformed to SnO2 if the reduction temperature did not exceed 573 K. For GeO2, the situation is more complex due to its polymorphism. Whereas the tetragonal phase is structurally stable during reduction, oxidation or catalytic reaction, a small part of the hexagonal phase is always transformed into the tetragonal at 673 K independent of the gas phase used. SnO2 is highly active and CO2 selective in methanol steam reforming, but the initial high activity drops considerably upon reduction between 373 and 573 K and almost complete catalyst deactivation is observed after reduction at 673 K, which is associated with the parallel formation of β-Sn. In close correlation to the structural results, the catalytic activity and selectivity can be restored upon an oxidative catalyst regeneration at 673 K. Tetragonal GeO2 exhibits only a small activity and no pronounced selectivity to either CO or CO2, at least after reduction. In its fully oxidized state release of surface/lattice oxygen results in a non-catalytic formation of CO2 by oxidation of CO originating from catalytic dehydrogenation.

Abstract: A platform for producing stabilized Pt atoms and clusters through the combination of an N-doped graphene support and atomic layer deposition (ALD) for the Pt catalysts was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). It was determined, using imaging and spectroscopy techniques, that a wide range of N-dopant types entered the graphene lattice through covalent bonds without largely damaging its structure. Additionally and most notably, Pt atoms and atomic clusters formed in the absence of nanoparticles. This work provides a new strategy for experimentally producing stable atomic and subnanometer cluster catalysts, which can greatly assist the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) development by producing the ultimate surface area to volume ratio catalyst.