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Author Huygh, S.; Bogaerts, A.; Bal, K.M.; Neyts, E.C.
Title High Coke Resistance of a TiO2Anatase (001) Catalyst Surface during Dry Reforming of Methane Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2018 Publication (up) Journal Of Physical Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 122 Issue 17 Pages 9389-9396
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract The resistance of a TiO2 anatase (001) surface to coke formation was studied in the context of dry reforming of methane using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. As carbon atoms act as precursors for coke formation, the resistance to coke formation can be measured by the carbon coverage of the surface. This is related to the stability of different CHx (x = 0−3) species and their rate of hydrogenation and dehydrogenation on the TiO2 surface. Therefore, we studied the reaction mechanisms and their corresponding rates as a function of the temperature for the dehydrogenation of the species on the surface. We found that the stabilities of C and CH are significantly lower than those of CH3 and CH2. The hydrogenation rates of the different species are significantly higher than the dehydrogenation rates in a temperature range of 300−1000 K. Furthermore, we found that dehydrogenation of CH3, CH2, and CH will only occur at appreciable rates starting from 600, 900, and 900 K, respectively. On the basis of these results, it is clear that the anatase (001) surface has a high coke resistance, and it is thus not likely that the surface will become poisoned by coke during dry reforming of methane. As the rate limiting step in dry reforming is the dissociative adsorption of CH4, we studied an alternative approach to thermal catalysis. We found that the temperature threshold for dry reforming is at least 700 K. This threshold temperature may be lowered by the use of plasma-catalysis, where the appreciable rates of adsorption of plasma-generated CHx radicals result in bypassing the rate limiting step of the reaction.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000431723700014 Publication Date 2018-05-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.536 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, IAP/7 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, G.0217.14N ; Onderzoeksfonds, Universiteit Antwerpen, 32249 ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.536
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:151529c:irua:152816 Serial 5000
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Author Jafarzadeh, A.; Bal, K.M.; Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Activation of CO2on Copper Surfaces: The Synergy between Electric Field, Surface Morphology, and Excess Electrons Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication (up) Journal Of Physical Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 124 Issue 12 Pages 6747-6755
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract In this work, we use density functional theory calculations to study the combined effect of external electric fields, surface morphology, and surface charge on CO2 activation over Cu(111), Cu(211), Cu(110), and Cu(001) surfaces. We observe that the binding energy of the CO2 molecule on Cu surfaces increases significantly upon increasing the applied electric field strength. In addition, rougher surfaces respond more effectively to the presence of the external electric field toward facilitating the formation of a carbonate-like CO2 structure and the transformation of the most stable adsorption mode from physisorption to chemisorption. The presence of surface charges further strengthens the electric field effect and consequently causes an improved bending of the CO2 molecule and C−O bond length elongation. On the other hand, a net charge in the absence of an externally applied electric field shows only a marginal effect on CO2 binding. The chemisorbed CO2 is more stable and further activated when the effects of an external electric field, rough surface, and surface charge are combined. These results can help to elucidate the underlying factors that control CO2 activation in heterogeneous and plasma catalysis, as well as in electrochemical processes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000526396900030 Publication Date 2020-03-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited Open Access
Notes Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds, 32249 ; The financial support from the TOP research project of the Research Fund of the University of Antwerp (grant ID: 32249) is highly acknowledged by the authors. The computational resources used in this study were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Governmentdepartment EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2020 IF: 4.536
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:168606 Serial 6361
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Author Nematollahi, P.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Identification of a unique pyridinic FeN4Cx electrocatalyst for N₂ reduction : tailoring the coordination and carbon topologies Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication (up) Journal Of Physical Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 126 Issue 34 Pages 14460-14469
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Although the heterogeneity of pyrolyzed Fe???N???C materials is known and has been reported previously, the atomic structure of the active sites and their detailed reaction mechanisms are still unknown. Here, we identified two pyridinic Fe???N4-like centers with different local C coordinates, i.e., FeN4C8 and FeN4C10, and studied their electrocatalytic activity for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. We also discovered the influence of the adsorption of NH2 as a functional ligand on catalyst performance on the NRR. We confirmed that the NRR selectivity of the studied catalysts is essentially governed either by the local C coordination or by the dynamic structure associated with the FeII/FeIII. Our investigations indicate that the proposed traditional pyridinic FeN4C10 has higher catalytic activity and selectivity for the NRR than the robust FeN4C8 catalyst, while it may have outstanding activity for promoting other (electro)catalytic reactions. <comment>Superscript/Subscript Available</comment
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000859545200001 Publication Date 2022-08-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447; 1932-7455 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191469 Serial 7268
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Author Van de Sompel, P.; Khalilov, U.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Contrasting H-etching to OH-etching in plasma-assisted nucleation of carbon nanotubes Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication (up) Journal Of Physical Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 125 Issue 14 Pages 7849-7855
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract To gain full control over the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), a thorough understanding of the underlying plasma-catalyst mechanisms is required. Oxygen-containing species are often used as or added to the growth precursor gas, but these species also yield various radicals and ions, which may simultaneously etch the CNT during the growth. At present, the effect of these reactive species on the growth onset has not yet been thoroughly investigated. We here report on the etching mechanism of incipient CNT structures from OH and O radicals as derived from combined (reactive) molecular dynamics (MD) and force-bias Monte Carlo (tfMC) simulations. Our results indicate that the oxygen-containing radicals initiate a dissociation process. In particular, we show how the oxygen species weaken the interaction between the CNT and the nanocluster. As a result of this weakened interaction, the CNT closes off and dissociates from the cluster in the form of a fullerene. Beyond the specific systems studied in this work, these results are generically important in the context of PECVD-based growth of CNTs using oxygen-containing precursors.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000641307100032 Publication Date 2021-04-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447; 1932-7455 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 4.536 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.536
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178393 Serial 7729
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Author Nematollahi, P.; Ma, H.; Schneider, W.F.; Neyts, E.C.
Title DFT and microkinetic comparison of ru-doped porphyrin-like graphene and nanotubes toward catalytic formic acid decomposition and formation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication (up) Journal Of Physical Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 125 Issue 34 Pages 18673-18683
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Immobilization of single metal atoms on a solid host opens numerous possibilities for catalyst designs. If that host is a two-dimensional sheet, sheet curvature becomes a design parameter potentially complementary to host and metal composition. Here, we use a combination of density functional theory calculations and microkinetic modeling to compare the mechanisms and kinetics of formic acid decomposition and formation, chosen for their relevance as a potential hydrogen storage medium, over single Ru atoms anchored to pyridinic nitrogen in a planar graphene flake (RuN4-G) and curved carbon nanotube (RuN4-CNT). Activation barriers are lowered and the predicted turnover frequencies are increased over RuN4-CNT relative to RuN4-CNT. The results highlight the potential of curvature control as a means to achieve high performance and robust catalysts.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000693413400013 Publication Date 2021-08-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447; 1932-7455 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.536 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.536
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181538 Serial 7805
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Author Bal, K.M.; Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Ensemble-Based Molecular Simulation of Chemical Reactions under Vibrational Nonequilibrium Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication (up) Journal Of Physical Chemistry Letters Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem Lett
Volume 11 Issue 2 Pages 401-406
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We present an approach to incorporate the effect of vibrational nonequilibrium in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A perturbed canonical ensemble, in which selected modes are excited to higher temperature while all others remain equilibrated at low temperature, is simulated by applying a specifically tailored bias potential. Our method can be readily applied to any (classical or quantum mechanical) MD setup at virtually no additional computational cost and allows the study of reactions of vibrationally excited molecules in nonequilibrium environments such as plasmas. In combination with enhanced sampling methods, the vibrational efficacy and mode selectivity of vibrationally stimulated reactions can then be quantified in terms of chemically relevant observables, such as reaction rates and apparent free energy barriers. We first validate our method for the prototypical hydrogen exchange reaction and then show how it can capture the effect of vibrational excitation on a symmetric SN2 reaction and radical addition on CO2.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000508473400008 Publication Date 2020-01-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1948-7185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 12ZI420N ; Departement Economie, Wetenschap en Innovatie van de Vlaamse Overheid; K.M.B. was funded as a junior postdoctoral fellow of the FWO (Research Foundation − Flanders), Grant 12ZI420N, and through a TOP-BOF research project of the University of Antwerp. The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Government− department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 5.7; 2020 IF: 9.353
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:165587 Serial 5442
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Author Bogaerts, A.; Khosravian, N.; Van der Paal, J.; Verlackt, C.C.W.; Yusupov, M.; Kamaraj, B.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Multi-level molecular modelling for plasma medicine Type A1 Journal article
Year 2016 Publication (up) Journal Of Physics D-Applied Physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 49 Issue 5 Pages 054002-54019
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication London Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 0000-00-00
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:129798 Serial 4467
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Author Bal, K.M.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Quantifying the impact of vibrational nonequilibrium in plasma catalysis: insights from a molecular dynamics model of dissociative chemisorption Type A1 Journal Article;plasma catalysis
Year 2021 Publication (up) Journal Of Physics D-Applied Physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 54 Issue 39 Pages 394004
Keywords A1 Journal Article;plasma catalysis; vibrational nonequilibrium; dissociative chemisorption; free energy barriers; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract The rate, selectivity and efficiency of plasma-based conversion processes is strongly affected by nonequilibrium phenomena. High concentrations of vibrationally excited molecules are such a plasma-induced effect. It is frequently assumed that vibrationally excited molecules are important in plasma catalysis because their presence lowers the apparent activation energy of dissociative chemisorption reactions and thus increases the conversion rate. A detailed atomic-level understanding of vibrationally stimulated catalytic reactions in the context of plasma catalysis is however lacking. Here, we couple a recently developed statistical model of a plasma-induced vibrational nonequilibrium to molecular dynamics simulations, enhanced sampling methods, and machine learning techniques. We quantify the impact of a vibrational nonequilibrium on the dissociative chemisorption barrier of H2 and CH4 on nickel catalysts over a wide range of vibrational temperatures. We investigate the effect of surface structure and compare the role of different vibrational modes of methane in the dissociation process. For low vibrational temperatures, very high vibrational efficacies are found, and energy in bend vibrations appears to dominate the dissociation of methane. The relative impact of vibrational nonequilibrium is much higher on terrace sites than on surface steps. We then show how our simulations can help to interpret recent experimental results, and suggest new paths to a better understanding of plasma catalysis.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000674464100001 Publication Date 2021-09-30
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 12ZI420N ; K M B was funded as a junior postdoctoral fellow of the FWO (Research Foundation—Flanders), Grant 12ZI420N. The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the HPC core facility CalcUA of the Universiteit Antwerpen, and VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Government. HLDA calculations were performed with a script provided by G Piccini. Approved Most recent IF: 2.588
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:179830 Serial 6808
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Author Neyts, E.C.; Yusupov, M.; Verlackt, C.C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Computer simulations of plasmabiomolecule and plasmatissue interactions for a better insight in plasma medicine Type A1 Journal article
Year 2014 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 47 Issue 29 Pages 293001
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma medicine is a rapidly evolving multidisciplinary field at the intersection of chemistry, biochemistry, physics, biology, medicine and bioengineering. It holds great potential in medical, health care, dentistry, surgical, food treatment and other applications. This multidisciplinary nature and variety of possible applications come along with an inherent and intrinsic complexity. Advancing plasma medicine to the stage that it becomes an everyday tool in its respective fields requires a fundamental understanding of the basic processes, which is lacking so far. However, some major advances have already been made through detailed experiments over the last 15 years. Complementary, computer simulations may provide insight that is difficultif not impossibleto obtain through experiments. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the various simulations that have been carried out in the context of plasma medicine so far, or that are relevant for plasma medicine. We focus our attention mostly on atomistic simulations dealing with plasmabiomolecule interactions. We also provide a perspective and tentative list of opportunities for future modelling studies that are likely to further advance the field.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication London Editor
Language Wos 000338860300001 Publication Date 2014-06-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727;1361-6463; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 28 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588; 2014 IF: 2.721
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:117853 Serial 472
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Author Van der Paal, J.; Aernouts, S.; van Duin, A.C.T.; Neyts, E.C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Interaction of O and OH radicals with a simple model system for lipids in the skin barrier : a reactive molecular dynamics investigation for plasma medicine Type A1 Journal article
Year 2013 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 46 Issue 39 Pages 395201
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma medicine has been claimed to provide a novel route to heal wounds and regenerate skin, although very little is currently known about the elementary processes taking place. We carried out a series of ReaxFF-based reactive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interaction of O and OH radicals with lipids, more specifically with α-linolenic acid as a model for the free fatty acids present in the upper skin layer. Our calculations predict that the O and OH radicals most typically abstract a H atom from the fatty acids, which can lead to the formation of a conjugated double bond, but also to the incorporation of alcohol or aldehyde groups, thereby increasing the hydrophilic character of the fatty acids and changing the general lipid composition of the skin. Within the limitations of the investigated model, no formation of possibly toxic products was observed.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication London Editor
Language Wos 000324810400007 Publication Date 2013-09-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727;1361-6463; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 36 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588; 2013 IF: 2.521
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:109904 Serial 1684
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Author Yusupov, M.; Neyts, E.C.; Simon, P.; Berdiyorov, G.; Snoeckx, R.; van Duin, A.C.T.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Reactive molecular dynamics simulations of oxygen species in a liquid water layer of interest for plasma medicine Type A1 Journal article
Year 2014 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 47 Issue 2 Pages 025205-25209
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The application of atmospheric pressure plasmas in medicine is increasingly gaining attention in recent years, although very little is currently known about the plasma-induced processes occurring on the surface of living organisms. It is known that most bio-organisms, including bacteria, are coated by a liquid film surrounding them, and there might be many interactions between plasma species and the liquid layer before the plasma species reach the surface of the bio-organisms. Therefore, it is essential to study the behaviour of the reactive species in a liquid film, in order to determine whether these species can travel through this layer and reach the biomolecules, or whether new species are formed along the way. In this work, we investigate the interaction of reactive oxygen species (i.e. O, OH, HO2 and H2O2) with water, which is assumed as a simple model system for the liquid layer surrounding biomolecules. Our computational investigations show that OH, HO2 and H2O2 can travel deep into the liquid layer and are hence in principle able to reach the bio-organism. Furthermore, O, OH and HO2 radicals react with water molecules through hydrogen-abstraction reactions, whereas no H-abstraction reaction takes place in the case of H2O2. This study is important to gain insight into the fundamental operating mechanisms in plasma medicine, in general, and the interaction mechanisms of plasma species with a liquid film, in particular.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication London Editor
Language Wos 000329108000013 Publication Date 2013-12-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727;1361-6463; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 51 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588; 2014 IF: 2.721
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:112286 Serial 2823
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Author Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C.; Rousseau, A.
Title Special issue on fundamentals of plasmasurface interactions Type Editorial
Year 2014 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 47 Issue 22 Pages 220301
Keywords Editorial; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop publishing ltd Place of Publication Bristol Editor
Language Wos 000336207900001 Publication Date 2014-05-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727;1361-6463; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 2 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588; 2014 IF: 2.721
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:116917 Serial 3068
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Author Van der Paal, J.; Verlackt, C.C.; Yusupov, M.; Neyts, E.C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Structural modification of the skin barrier by OH radicals : a reactive molecular dynamics study for plasma medicine Type A1 Journal article
Year 2015 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 48 Issue 48 Pages 155202
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract While plasma treatment of skin diseases and wound healing has been proven highly effective, the underlying mechanisms, and more generally the effect of plasma radicals on skin tissue, are not yet completely understood. In this paper, we perform ReaxFF-based reactive molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interaction of plasma generated OH radicals with a model system composed of free fatty acids, ceramides, and cholesterol molecules. This model system is an approximation of the upper layer of the skin (stratum corneum). All interaction mechanisms observed in our simulations are initiated by H-abstraction from one of the ceramides. This reaction, in turn, often starts a cascade of other reactions, which eventually lead to the formation of aldehydes, the dissociation of ceramides or the elimination of formaldehyde, and thus eventually to the degradation of the skin barrier function.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication London Editor
Language Wos 000351856600007 Publication Date 2015-03-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727;1361-6463; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 20 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588; 2015 IF: 2.721
Call Number c:irua:124230 Serial 3242
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Author Neyts, E.C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Understanding plasma catalysis through modelling and simulation : a review Type A1 Journal article
Year 2014 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 47 Issue 22 Pages 224010
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma catalysis holds great promise for environmental applications, provided that the process viability can be maximized in terms of energy efficiency and product selectivity. This requires a fundamental understanding of the various processes taking place and especially the mutual interactions between plasma and catalyst. In this review, we therefore first examine the various effects of the plasma on the catalyst and of the catalyst on the plasma that have been described in the literature. Most of these studies are purely experimental. The urgently needed fundamental understanding of the mechanisms underpinning plasma catalysis, however, may also be obtained through modelling and simulation. Therefore, we also provide here an overview of the modelling efforts that have been developed already, on both the atomistic and the macroscale, and we identify the data that can be obtained with these models to illustrate how modelling and simulation may contribute to this field. Last but not least, we also identify future modelling opportunities to obtain a more complete understanding of the various underlying plasma catalytic effects, which is needed to provide a comprehensive picture of plasma catalysis.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Iop publishing ltd Place of Publication Bristol Editor
Language Wos 000336207900011 Publication Date 2014-05-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727;1361-6463; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 130 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588; 2014 IF: 2.721
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:116920 Serial 3803
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Author Dufour, T.; Minnebo, J.; Abou Rich, S.; Neyts, E.C.; Bogaerts, A.; Reniers, F.
Title Understanding polyethylene surface functionalization by an atmospheric He/O2 plasma through combined experiments and simulations Type A1 Journal article
Year 2014 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 47 Issue 22 Pages 224007
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract High density polyethylene surfaces were exposed to the atmospheric post-discharge of a radiofrequency plasma torch supplied in helium and oxygen. Dynamic water contact angle measurements were performed to evaluate changes in surface hydrophilicity and angle resolved x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was carried out to identify the functional groups responsible for wettability changes and to study their subsurface depth profiles, up to 9 nm in depth. The reactions leading to the formation of CO, C = O and OC = O groups were simulated by molecular dynamics. These simulations demonstrate that impinging oxygen atoms do not react immediately upon impact but rather remain at or close to the surface before eventually reacting. The simulations also explain the release of gaseous species in the ambient environment as well as the ejection of low molecular weight oxidized materials from the surface.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication London Editor
Language Wos 000336207900008 Publication Date 2014-05-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727;1361-6463; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 13 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 2.588; 2014 IF: 2.721
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:116919 Serial 3804
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Author Bogaerts, A.; Khosravian, N.; Van der Paal, J.; Verlackt, C.C.W.; Yusupov, M.; Kamaraj, B.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Multi-level molecular modelling for plasma medicine Type A1 Journal article
Year 2016 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 49 Issue 49 Pages 054002
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Modelling at the molecular or atomic scale can be very useful for obtaining a better insight in plasma medicine. This paper gives an overview of different atomic/molecular scale modelling approaches that can be used to study the direct interaction of plasma species with biomolecules or the consequences of these interactions for the biomolecules on a somewhat longer time-scale. These approaches include density functional theory (DFT), density functional based tight binding (DFTB), classical reactive and non-reactive molecular dynamics (MD) and united-atom or coarse-grained MD, as well as hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods. Specific examples will be given for three important types of biomolecules, present in human cells, i.e. proteins, DNA and phospholipids found in the cell membrane. The results show that each of these modelling approaches has its specific strengths and limitations, and is particularly useful for certain applications. A multi-level approach is therefore most suitable for obtaining a global picture of the plasma–biomolecule interactions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000368944100003 Publication Date 2015-12-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 11 Open Access
Notes This work is financially supported by the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO) and the Francqui Foundation. The calculations were carried out in part using the Turing HPC infrastructure of the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the Universiteit Antwerpen. Approved Most recent IF: 2.588
Call Number c:irua:131571 Serial 3985
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Author Tinck, S.; Tillocher, T.; Dussart, R.; Neyts, E.C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Elucidating the effects of gas flow rate on an SF6inductively coupled plasma and on the silicon etch rate, by a combined experimental and theoretical investigation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2016 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 49 Issue 49 Pages 385201
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Experiments show that the etch rate of Si with SF6 inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is significantly influenced by the absolute gas flow rate in the range of 50–600 sccm, with a maximum at around 200 sccm. Therefore, we numerically investigate the effects of the gas flow rate on the bulk plasma properties and on the etch rate, to obtain more insight in the underlying reasons of this effect. A hybrid Monte Carlo—fluid model is applied to simulate an SF6 ICP. It is found that the etch rate is influenced by two simultaneous effects: (i) the residence time of the gas and (ii) the temperature profile of the plasma in the ICP volume, resulting indeed in a maximum etch rate at 200 sccm.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000384095900011 Publication Date 2016-08-24
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 1 Open Access
Notes We are very grateful to Mark Kushner for providing the computational model. The Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO; grant no. 0880.212.840) is acknowledged for financial support of this work. The work was carried out in part using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the University of Antwerp. Approved Most recent IF: 2.588
Call Number c:irua:134867 Serial 4108
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Author Verlackt, C.C.W.; Neyts, E.C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Atomic scale behavior of oxygen-based radicals in water Type A1 Journal article
Year 2017 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 50 Issue 50 Pages 11LT01
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Cold atmospheric pressure plasmas in and in contact with liquids represent a growing field of research for various applications. Understanding the interactions between the plasma generated species and the liquid is crucial. In this work we perform molecular dynamics (MD) simulations based on a quantum mechanical method, i.e. density-functional based tight-binding (DFTB), to examine the interactions of OH radicals and O atoms in bulk water. Our calculations reveal that the transport of OH radicals through water is not only governed by diffusion, but also by an equilibrium reaction of H-abstraction with water molecules. Furthermore, when two OH radicals encounter each other, they either form a stable cluster, or react, resulting in the formation of a new water molecule and an O atom. In addition,

the O atoms form either oxywater (when in singlet configuration) or they remain stable in solution (when in triplet configuration), stressing the important role that O atoms can play in aqueous solution, and in contact with biomolecules. Our observations are in line with both experimental and ab initio results from the literature.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000415252400001 Publication Date 2017-02-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 11 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors thank Peter Bruggeman (University of Minnesota, USA) and Jan Benedikt (Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany) for the interesting discussions regarding the existence of O in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, they acknowledge financial support from the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) Flanders (project number G012413N). The calculations were performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the Universiteit Antwerpen. Approved Most recent IF: 2.588
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @ c:irua:140845 Serial 4420
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Author Khalilov, U.; Bogaerts, A.; Hussain, S.; Kovacevic, E.; Brault, P.; Boulmer-Leborgne, C.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Nanoscale mechanisms of CNT growth and etching in plasma environment Type A1 Journal article
Year 2017 Publication (up) Journal of physics: D: applied physics Abbreviated Journal J Phys D Appl Phys
Volume 50 Issue 50 Pages 184001
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma-enhanced chemical deposition (PECVD) of carbon nanotubes has already been shown to allow chirality control to some extent. In PECVD, however, etching may occur simultaneously with the growth, and the occurrence of intermediate processes further significantly complicates the growth process.

We here employ a computational approach with experimental support to study the plasma-based formation of Ni nanoclusters, Ni-catalyzed CNT growth and subsequent etching processes, in order to understand the underpinning nanoscale mechanisms. We find that hydrogen is the dominant factor in both the re-structuring of a Ni film and the subsequent appearance of Ni nanoclusters, as well as in the CNT nucleation and etching processes. The obtained results are compared with available theoretical and experimental studies and provide a deeper understanding of the occurring nanoscale mechanisms in plasma-assisted CNT nucleation and growth.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000398300900001 Publication Date 2017-04-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0022-3727 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.588 Times cited 6 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes UK gratefully acknowledges financial support from the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO), Belgium (Grant No. 12M1315N). The work was carried out in part using the Turing HPC infrastructure of the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Centre VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the Universiteit Antwerpen. The authors also thank Prof A C T van Duin for sharing the ReaxFF code. Approved Most recent IF: 2.588
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @ c:irua:141918 Serial 4533
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Author Neyts, E.C.; van Duin, A.C.T.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Changing chirality during single-walled carbon nanotube growth : a reactive molecular dynamics/Monte Carlo study Type A1 Journal article
Year 2011 Publication (up) Journal of the American Chemical Society Abbreviated Journal J Am Chem Soc
Volume 133 Issue 43 Pages 17225-17231
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The growth mechanism and chirality formation of a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) on a surface-bound nickel nanocluster are investigated by hybrid reactive molecular dynamics/force-biased Monte Carlo simulations. The validity of the interatomic potential used, the so-called ReaxFF potential, for simulating catalytic SWNT growth is demonstrated. The SWNT growth process was found to be in agreement with previous studies and observed to proceed through a number of distinct steps, viz., the dissolution of carbon in the metallic particle, the surface segregation of carbon with the formation of aggregated carbon clusters on the surface, the formation of graphitic islands that grow into SWNT caps, and finally continued growth of the SWNT. Moreover, it is clearly illustrated in the present study that during the growth process, the carbon network is continuously restructured by a metal-mediated process, thereby healing many topological defects. It is also found that a cap can nucleate and disappear again, which was not observed in previous simulations. Encapsulation of the nanoparticle is observed to be prevented by the carbon network migrating as a whole over the cluster surface. Finally, for the first time, the chirality of the growing SWNT cap is observed to change from (11,0) over (9,3) to (7,7). It is demonstrated that this change in chirality is due to the metal-mediated restructuring process.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Washington, D.C. Editor
Language Wos 000297380900026 Publication Date 2011-10-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0002-7863;1520-5126; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 13.858 Times cited 116 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 13.858; 2011 IF: 9.907
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:92043 Serial 309
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Author Neyts, E.C.; van Duin, A.C.T.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Insights in the plasma-assisted growth of carbon nanotubes through atomic scale simulations : effect of electric field Type A1 Journal article
Year 2012 Publication (up) Journal of the American Chemical Society Abbreviated Journal J Am Chem Soc
Volume 134 Issue 2 Pages 1256-1260
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are nowadays routinely grown in a thermal CVD setup. State-of-the-art plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD) growth, however, offers advantages over thermal CVD. A lower growth temperature and the growth of aligned freestanding single-walled CNTs (SWNTs) makes the technique very attractive. The atomic scale growth mechanisms of PECVD CNT growth, however, remain currently entirely unexplored. In this contribution, we employed molecular dynamics simulations to focus on the effect of applying an electric field on the SWNT growth process, as one of the effects coming into play in PECVD. Using sufficiently strong fields results in (a) alignment of the growing SWNTs, (b) a better ordering of the carbon network, and (c) a higher growth rate relative to thermal growth rate. We suggest that these effects are due to the small charge transfer occurring in the Ni/C system. These simulations constitute the first study of PECVD growth of SWNTs on the atomic level.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Washington, D.C. Editor
Language Wos 000301084300086 Publication Date 2011-11-30
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0002-7863;1520-5126; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 13.858 Times cited 56 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 13.858; 2012 IF: 10.677
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:97163 Serial 1673
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Author Heyne, M.H.; de Marneffe, J.-F.; Radu, I.; Neyts, E.C.; De Gendt, S.
Title Thermal recrystallization of short-range ordered WS2 films Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication (up) Journal of vacuum science and technology: A: vacuum surfaces and films Abbreviated Journal J Vac Sci Technol A
Volume 36 Issue 5 Pages 05g501
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The integration of van der Waals materials in nanoelectronic devices requires the deposition of few-layered MX2 films with excellent quality crystals covering a large area. In recent years, astonishing progress in the monolayer growth of WS2 and MoS2 was demonstrated, but multilayer growth resulted often in separated triangular or hexagonal islands. These polycrystalline films cannot fully employ the specific MX2 properties since they are not connected in-plane to the other domains. To coalesce separated islands, ultrahigh-temperature postdeposition anneals in H2S are applied, which are not compatible with bare silicon substrates. Starting from the deposition of stoichiometric short-ordered films, the present work studies different options for subsequent high-temperature annealing in an inert atmosphere to form crystalline films with large grains from stoichiometric films with small grains. The rapid thermal annealing, performed over a few seconds, is compared to excimer laser annealing in the nanosecond range, which are both able to crystallize the thin WS2. The WS2 recrystallization temperature can be lowered using metallic crystallization promoters (Co and Ni). The best result is obtained using a Co cap, due to the circumvention of Co and S binary phase formation below the eutectic temperature. The recrystallization above a critical temperature is accompanied by sulfur loss and 3D regrowth. These undesired effects can be suppressed by the application of a dielectric capping layer prior to annealing. A SiO2 cap can suppress the sulfur loss successfully during annealing and reveals improved material quality in comparison to noncapped films Published by the AVS.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication New York, N.Y. Editor
Language Wos 000444033200002 Publication Date 2018-07-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0734-2101 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.374 Times cited 2 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 1.374
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:153671 Serial 5134
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Author Neyts, E.C.
Title PECVD growth of carbon nanotubes : from experiment to simulation Type A1 Journal article
Year 2012 Publication (up) Journal of vacuum science and technology: B: micro-electronics processing and phenomena Abbreviated Journal
Volume 30 Issue 3 Pages 030803-030803,17
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Nanostructured carbon materials show a tremendous variety in atomic structure, morphology, properties, and applications. As all properties are ultimately determined by the structure of the material, a thorough understanding of the growth mechanisms that give rise to the particular structure is critical. On many occasions, it has been shown that plasma enhanced growth can be strongly beneficial. This review will describe the authors current understanding of plasma enhanced growth of carbon nanotubes, the prototypical example of nanostructured carbon materials, as obtained from experiments, simulations, and modeling. Specific emphasis is put on where experiments and computational approaches correspond, and where they differ. Also, the current status on simulating PECVD growth of some other carbon nanomaterials is reviewed, including amorphous carbon, graphene, and metallofullerenes. Finally, computational challenges with respect to the simulation of PECVD growth are identified.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication New York, N.Y. Editor
Language Wos 000305042000010 Publication Date 2012-04-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2166-2746; ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 42 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:97166 Serial 2570
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Author Villarreal, R.; Lin, P.-C.; Faraji, F.; Hassani, N.; Bana, H.; Zarkua, Z.; Nair, M.N.; Tsai, H.-C.; Auge, M.; Junge, F.; Hofsaess, H.C.; De Gendt, S.; De Feyter, S.; Brems, S.; Ahlgren, E.H.; Neyts, E.C.; Covaci, L.; Peeters, F.M.; Neek-Amal, M.; Pereira, L.M.C.
Title Breakdown of universal scaling for nanometer-sized bubbles in graphene Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication (up) Nano Letters Abbreviated Journal Nano Lett
Volume 21 Issue 19 Pages 8103-8110
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We report the formation of nanobubbles on graphene with a radius of the order of 1 nm, using ultralow energy implantation of noble gas ions (He, Ne, Ar) into graphene grown on a Pt(111) surface. We show that the universal scaling of the aspect ratio, which has previously been established for larger bubbles, breaks down when the bubble radius approaches 1 nm, resulting in much larger aspect ratios. Moreover, we observe that the bubble stability and aspect ratio depend on the substrate onto which the graphene is grown (bubbles are stable for Pt but not for Cu) and trapped element. We interpret these dependencies in terms of the atomic compressibility of the noble gas as well as of the adhesion energies between graphene, the substrate, and trapped atoms.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000709549100026 Publication Date 2021-09-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1530-6984 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 12.712 Times cited 12 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 12.712
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:184137 Serial 6857
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Author Faraji, F.; Neyts, E.C.; Milošević, M.V.; Peeters, F.M.
Title Capillary Condensation of Water in Graphene Nanocapillaries Type A1 Journal ArticleUA
Year 2024 Publication (up) Nano Letters Abbreviated Journal Nano Lett.
Volume 24 Issue 18 Pages 5625-5630
Keywords A1 Journal Article; CMT
Abstract Recent experiments have revealed that the macroscopic Kelvin equation remains surprisingly accurate even for nanoscale capillaries. This phenomenon was so far explained by the oscillatory behavior of the solid−liquid interfacial free energy. We here demonstrate thermodynamic and capillarity inconsistencies with this explanation. After revising the Kelvin equation, we ascribe its validity at nanoscale confinement to the effect of disjoining pressure.

To substantiate our hypothesis, we employed molecular dynamics simulations to evaluate interfacial heat transfer and wetting properties. Our assessments unveil a breakdown in a previously established proportionality between the work of adhesion and the Kapitza conductance at capillary heights below 1.3 nm, where the dominance of the work of adhesion shifts primarily from energy to entropy. Alternatively, the peak density of the initial water layer can effectively probe the work of adhesion. Unlike under bulk conditions, high confinement renders the work of adhesion entropically unfavorable.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2024-05-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1530-6984 ISBN Additional Links
Impact Factor 10.8 Times cited Open Access
Notes This work was supported by Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO, project No. G099219N). The computational resources used in this work were provided by the HPC core facility CalcUA of the University of Antwerp, and the Flemish Supercomputer Center (VSC), funded by FWO and the Flemish Government. Approved Most recent IF: 10.8; 2024 IF: 12.712
Call Number UA @ lucian @ Serial 9123
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Author Nematollahi, P.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Linking bi-metal distribution patterns in porous carbon nitride fullerene to its catalytic activity toward gas adsorption Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication (up) Nanomaterials Abbreviated Journal Nanomaterials-Basel
Volume 11 Issue 7 Pages 1794
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Immobilization of two single transition metal (TM) atoms on a substrate host opens numerous possibilities for catalyst design. If the substrate contains more than one vacancy site, the combination of TMs along with their distribution patterns becomes a design parameter potentially complementary to the substrate itself and the bi-metal composition. By means of DFT calculations, we modeled three dissimilar bi-metal atoms (Ti, Mn, and Cu) doped into the six porphyrin-like cavities of porous C24N24 fullerene, considering different bi-metal distribution patterns for each binary complex, viz. TixCuz@C24N24, TixMny@C24N24, and MnyCuz@C24N24 (with x, y, z = 0-6). We elucidate whether controlling the distribution of bi-metal atoms into the C24N24 cavities can alter their catalytic activity toward CO2, NO2, H-2, and N-2 gas capture. Interestingly, Ti2Mn4@C24N24 and Ti2Cu4@C24N24 complexes showed the highest activity and selectively toward gas capture. Our findings provide useful information for further design of novel few-atom carbon-nitride-based catalysts.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000676140500001 Publication Date 2021-07-09
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2079-4991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.553 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.553
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:180372 Serial 8174
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Author Elliott, J.A.; Shibuta, Y.; Amara, H.; Bichara, C.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Atomistic modelling of CVD synthesis of carbon nanotubes and graphene Type A1 Journal article
Year 2013 Publication (up) Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 5 Issue 15 Pages 6662-6676
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We discuss the synthesis of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene by catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) and plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), summarising the state-of-the-art understanding of mechanisms controlling their growth rate, chiral angle, number of layers (walls), diameter, length and quality (defects), before presenting a new model for 2D nucleation of a graphene sheet from amorphous carbon on a nickel surface. Although many groups have modelled this process using a variety of techniques, we ask whether there are any complementary ideas emerging from the different proposed growth mechanisms, and whether different modelling techniques can give the same answers for a given mechanism. Subsequently, by comparing the results of tight-binding, semi-empirical molecular orbital theory and reactive bond order force field calculations, we demonstrate that graphene on crystalline Ni(111) is thermodynamically stable with respect to the corresponding amorphous metal and carbon structures. Finally, we show in principle how a complementary heterogeneous nucleation step may play a key role in the transformation from amorphous carbon to graphene on the metal surface. We conclude that achieving the conditions under which this complementary crystallisation process can occur may be a promising method to gain better control over the growth processes of both graphene from flat metal surfaces and CNTs from catalyst nanoparticles.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor
Language Wos 000321675600003 Publication Date 2013-06-06
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 7.367 Times cited 52 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.367; 2013 IF: 6.739
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:109231 Serial 200
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Author Neyts, E.C.; van Duin, A.C.T.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Formation of single layer graphene on nickel under far-from-equilibrium high flux conditions Type A1 Journal article
Year 2013 Publication (up) Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 5 Issue 16 Pages 7250-7255
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We investigate the theoretical possibility of single layer graphene formation on a nickel surface at different substrate temperatures under far-from-equilibrium high precursor flux conditions, employing state-of-the-art hybrid reactive molecular dynamics/uniform acceptance force bias Monte Carlo simulations. It is predicted that under these conditions, the formation of a single layer graphene-like film may proceed through a combined depositionsegregation mechanism on a nickel substrate, rather than by pure surface segregation as is typically observed for metals with high carbon solubility. At 900 K and above, nearly continuous graphene layers are obtained. These simulations suggest that single layer graphene deposition is theoretically possible on Ni under high flux conditions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor
Language Wos 000322315600019 Publication Date 2013-04-26
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 7.367 Times cited 25 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.367; 2013 IF: 6.739
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:109249 Serial 1264
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Author Khalilov, U.; Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Microscopic mechanisms of vertical graphene and carbon nanotube cap nucleation from hydrocarbon growth precursors Type A1 Journal article
Year 2014 Publication (up) Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 6 Issue 15 Pages 9206-9214
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Controlling and steering the growth of single walled carbon nanotubes is often believed to require controlling of the nucleation stage. Yet, little is known about the microscopic mechanisms governing the nucleation from hydrocarbon molecules. Specifically, we address here the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbon molecules and the formation of all-carbon graphitic islands on metallic nanoclusters from hydrocarbon molecules under conditions typical for carbon nanotube growth. Employing reactive molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate for the first time that the formation of a graphitic network occurs through the intermediate formation of vertically oriented, not fully dehydrogenated graphitic islands. Upon dehydrogenation of these vertical graphenes, the islands curve over the surface, thereby forming a carbon network covering the nanoparticle. The results indicate that controlling the extent of dehydrogenation offers an additional parameter to control the nucleation of carbon nanotubes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor
Language Wos 000339861500103 Publication Date 2014-05-27
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 7.367 Times cited 21 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.367; 2014 IF: 7.394
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:117950 Serial 2027
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Author Khalilov, U.; Pourtois, G.; Bogaerts, A.; van Duin, A.C.T.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Reactive molecular dynamics simulations on SiO2-coated ultra-small Si-nanowires Type A1 Journal article
Year 2013 Publication (up) Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 5 Issue 2 Pages 719-725
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The application of coreshell SiSiO2 nanowires as nanoelectronic devices strongly depends on their structure, which is difficult to tune precisely. In this work, we investigate the formation of the coreshell nanowires at the atomic scale, by reactive molecular dynamics simulations. The occurrence of two temperature-dependent oxidation mechanisms of ultra-small diameter Si-NWs is demonstrated. We found that control over the Si-core radius and the SiOx (x ≤ 2) oxide shell is possible by tuning the growth temperature and the initial Si-NW diameter. Two different structures were obtained, i.e., ultrathin SiO2 silica nanowires at high temperature and Si core|ultrathin SiO2 silica nanowires at low temperature. The transition temperature is found to linearly decrease with the nanowire curvature. Finally, the interfacial stress is found to be responsible for self-limiting oxidation, depending on both the initial Si-NW radius and the oxide growth temperature. These novel insights allow us to gain control over the exact morphology and structure of the wires, as is needed for their application in nanoelectronics.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Cambridge Editor
Language Wos 000313426200036 Publication Date 2012-11-16
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 7.367 Times cited 17 Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7.367; 2013 IF: 6.739
Call Number UA @ lucian @ c:irua:102584 Serial 2824
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