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Author Nematollahi, P.
Title Selectivity of Mo-NC sites for electrocatalytic N₂ reduction : a function of the single atom position on the surface and local carbon topologies Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Applied surface science Abbreviated Journal
Volume 612 Issue Pages 155908-155909
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Transition metal (TM) doped two-dimensional single-atom catalysts are known as a promising class of catalysts for electrocatalytic gas conversion. However, the detailed mechanisms that occur at the surface of these catalysts are still unknown. In the present work, we simulate three Mo-doped nitrogenated graphene structures. In each catalyst, the position of the Mo active site and the corresponding local carbon topologies are different, i.e. MoN4C10 with in-plane Mo atom, MoN4C8 in which Mo atom bridges two adjacent armchair-like graphitic edges, and MoN2C3 in which Mo is doped at the edge of the graphene sheet. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations we discuss the electrocatalytic activity of Mosingle bondNsingle bondC structures for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) with a focus on unraveling the corresponding mechanisms concerning different Mo site positions and C topologies. Our results indicate that the position of the active site centers has a great effect on its electrocatalytic behavior. The gas phase N2 efficiently reduces to ammonia on MoN4C8 via the distal mechanism with an onset potential of −0.51 V. We confirm that the proposed pyridinic structure, MoN4C8, can catalyze NRR effectively with a low overpotential of 0.35 V.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000901469900003 Publication Date 2022-11-30
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 6.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2023 IF: 3.387
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192430 Serial (down) 7275
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Author Tchakoua, T.; Gerrits, N.; Smeets, E.W.F.; Kroes, G.-J.
Title SBH17 : benchmark database of barrier heights for dissociative chemisorption on transition metal surfaces Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of chemical theory and computation Abbreviated Journal
Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 245-270
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Accurate barriers for rate controlling elementary reactions on metal surfaces are key to understanding, controlling, and predicting the rate of heterogeneously catalyzed processes. While barrier heights for gas phase reactions have been extensively benchmarked, dissociative chemisorption barriers for the reactions of molecules on metal surfaces have received much less attention. The first database called SBH10 and containing 10 entries was recently constructed based on the specific reaction parameter approach to density functional theory (SRP-DFT) and experimental results. We have now constructed a new and improved database (SBH17) containing 17 entries based on SRP-DFT and experiments. For this new SBH17 benchmark study, we have tested three algorithms (high, medium, and light) for calculating barrier heights for dissociative chemisorption on metals, which we have named for the amount of computational effort involved in their use. We test the performance of 14 density functionals at the GGA, GGA+vdW-DF, and meta-GGA rungs. Our results show that, in contrast with the previous SBH10 study where the BEEF-vdW-DF2 functional seemed to be most accurate, the workhorse functional PBE and the MS2 density functional are the most accurate of the GGA and meta-GGA functionals tested. Of the GGA+vdW functionals tested, the SRP32-vdW-DF1 functional is the most accurate. Additionally, we found that the medium algorithm is accurate enough for assessing the performance of the density functionals tested, while it avoids geometry optimizations of minimum barrier geometries for each density functional tested. The medium algorithm does require metal lattice constants and interlayer distances that are optimized separately for each functional. While these are avoided in the light algorithm, this algorithm is found not to give a reliable description of functional performance. The combination of relative ease of use and demonstrated reliability of the medium algorithm will likely pave the way for incorporation of the SBH17 database in larger databases used for testing new density functionals and electronic structure methods.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000903286100001 Publication Date 2022-12-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1549-9618 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.5 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.5; 2023 IF: 5.245
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:193426 Serial (down) 7274
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Author Wang, J.
Title Plasma catalysis : study of CO2 reforming of CH4 in a DBD reactor Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2022 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages XVI, 232 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The plasma-based dry reforming in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor is important to achieve sustainable goals, but many challenges remain. For example, the conversion and energy yield of DBD reactors are relatively low, and the catalysts or packing materials used in existing studies cannot improve them, possibly due to the unsuitable properties and structures of catalysts or packing materials for plasma processes. In order to study the effect of catalyst structure on plasma-based dry reforming, a controllable synthesis of the catalyst supports or templates was explored. In Chapter 2, an initially immiscible synthesis method was proposed to synthesize uniform silica spheres, which can replace the organic solvent-based Stöber method to successfully synthesize silica particles with the same size ranges as the original Stöber process without addition of organic solvents. Using the silica spheres as templates, 3D porous Cu and CuO catalysts with different pore sizes were synthesized in Chapter 3 to study the effect of catalyst pore size on the plasma-catalytic dry reforming. In most cases, the smaller the pore size, the higher the conversion of CH4 and CO2 due to the reaction of radicals and ions formed in the plasma. An exception are the samples synthesized from 1 μm silica, which show better performance due to the electric field enhancement for pore sizes close to the Debye length. Besides the pore size, the particle diameter of the catalyst or packing is also one of the important factors affecting the interaction between plasma and catalyst. In Chapter 4, SiO2 spheres (with or without supported metal) were used to study the effect of different support particle sizes on plasma-based dry reforming. We found that a uniform SiO2 packing improves the conversion of plasma-based dry reforming. The conversion of plasma-based dry reforming first increases and then decreases with increasing particle size, due to the balance between the promoting and hindering effect of the particle filling on the plasma discharge. Chapter 5 is to improve the design of the DBD reactor itself, in order to try to increase its low energy yield. Some stainless steel rings were put over the inner electrode rod of the DBD reactor. The presence of rings increases the local electric field, the displaced charges and the discharge fraction, and also makes the discharge more stable and with more uniform intensity. The placement of the rings improves the performance of the reactor at 30 W supplied power.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:194045 Serial (down) 7273
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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.
Address
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 6.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.6
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192698 Serial (down) 7272
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Author Le Compte, M.; Cardenas De La Hoz, E.; Peeters, S.; Smits, E.; Lardon, F.; Roeyen, G.; Vanlanduit, S.; Prenen, H.; Peeters, M.; Lin, A.; Deben, C.
Title Multiparametric tumor organoid drug screening using widefield live-cell imaging for bulk and single-organoid analysis Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Jove-Journal Of Visualized Experiments Abbreviated Journal Jove-J Vis Exp
Volume Issue 190 Pages 1-18
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre (ASTARC); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Patient-derived tumor organoids (PDTOs) hold great promise for preclinical and translational research and predicting the patient therapy response from ex vivo drug screenings. However, current adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based drug screening assays do not capture the complexity of a drug response (cytostatic or cytotoxic) and intratumor heterogeneity that has been shown to be retained in PDTOs due to a bulk readout. Live-cell imaging is a powerful tool to overcome this issue and visualize drug responses more in-depth. However, image analysis software is often not adapted to the three-dimensionality of PDTOs, requires fluorescent viability dyes, or is not compatible with a 384-well microplate format. This paper describes a semi-automated methodology to seed, treat, and image PDTOs in a high-throughput, 384-well format using conventional, widefield, live-cell imaging systems. In addition, we developed viability marker-free image analysis software to quantify growth rate-based drug response metrics that improve reproducibility and correct growth rate variations between different PDTO lines. Using the normalized drug response metric, which scores drug response based on the growth rate normalized to a positive and negative control condition, and a fluorescent cell death dye, cytotoxic and cytostatic drug responses can be easily distinguished, profoundly improving the classification of responders and non-responders. In addition, drug-response heterogeneity can by quantified from single-organoid drug response analysis to identify potential, resistant clones. Ultimately, this method aims to improve the prediction of clinical therapy response by capturing a multiparametric drug response signature, which includes kinetic growth arrest and cell death quantification. ,
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000928020400010 Publication Date 2022-12-24
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1940-087x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 1.2
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:193168 Serial (down) 7271
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Author Van Alphen, S.
Title Modelling plasma reactors for sustainable CO2 conversion and N2 fixation Type Doctoral thesis
Year 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 202 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract 200 years ago, humanity started the industrial revolution by discovering fossil fuels, which lead to unprecedented technological advancements. However it has become alarmingly clear that the major environmental concerns associated with fossil fuels require a short-term transition from a carbon-based energy economy to a sustainable one based on green electricity. A key step concerning this transition exists in developing electricity-driven alternatives for chemical processes that rely on fossil fuels as a raw material. A technology that is gaining increasing interest to achieve this, is plasma technology. Using plasmas to induce chemical reactions by selectively heating electrons in a gas has already delivered promising results for gas conversion applications like CO2 conversion and N2 fixation, but plasma reactors still require optimization to be considered industrially competitive to existing fossil fuel-based processes and emerging other electricity-based technologies. In this thesis I develop computational models to describe plasma reactors and identify key mechanisms in three different plasma reactors for three different gas conversion applications, i.e. N2 fixation, combined CO2-CH4 conversion and CO2 splitting. I first developed models to describe a new rotating gliding arc (GA) reactor operating in two arc modes, which, as revealed by my model, are characterized by distinct plasma chemistry pathways. Subsequently, my colleague and I study the quenching effect of an effusion nozzle to this rotating GA reactor, reaching the best results to date for N2 fixation into NOx at atmospheric pressure, i.e., NOx concentrations up to 5.9%, at an energy cost down to 2.1 MJ/mol. Afterwards, I investigate the possible improvement of N2 admixtures in plasma-based CO2 and CH4 conversion, as significant amounts of N2 are often found in industrial CO2 waste streams, and gas separations are financially costly. Through combining my models with the experiment from a fellow PhD student, we reveal that moderate amounts of N2 (i.e. around 20%) increase both the electron density and the gas temperature to yield an overall energy cost reduction of 21%. Finally, I model quenching nozzles for plasma-based CO2 conversion in a microwave reactor, to explain the enhancements in CO2 conversion that were demonstrated in experiments. Through computational modelling I reveal that the nozzle introduces fast gas quenching resulting in the suppression of recombination reactions, which have more impact at low flow rates, where recombination is the most limiting factor in the conversion process.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:194811 Serial (down) 7270
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Author Sahun, M.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Lin, A.; De Roeck, N.; Van de Heyden, L.; Hillen, M.; Michiels, J.; Steenackers, G.; Smits, E.; Ariën, K.K.; Jorens, P.G.; Delputte, P.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped and non-enveloped viruses with non-thermal plasma for hospital disinfection Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Center for Oncological Research (CORE); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Laboratory Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics (LEMP)
Abstract As recently highlighted by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, viruses have become an increasing burden for health, global economy, and environment. The control of transmission by contact with contaminated materials represents a major challenge, particularly in hospital environments. However, the current disinfection methods in hospital settings suffer from numerous drawbacks. As a result, several medical supplies that cannot be properly disinfected are not reused, leading to severe shortages and increasing amounts of waste, thus prompting the search for alternative solutions. In this work, we report that non-thermal plasma (NTP) can effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 from non-porous and porous materials commonly found in healthcare facilities. We demonstrated that 5 min treatment with a dielectric barrier discharge NTP can inactivate 100% of SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan and Omicron strains) from plastic material. Using porcine respiratory coronavirus (surrogate for SARS-CoV-2) and coxsackievirus B3 (highly resistant non-enveloped virus), we tested the NTP virucidal activity on hospital materials and obtained complete inactivation after 5 and 10 min, respectively. We hypothesize that the produced reactive species and local acidification contribute to the overall virucidal effect of NTP. Our results demonstrate the potential of dielectric barrier discharge NTPs for the rapid, efficient, and low-cost disinfection of healthcare materials.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000964269500001 Publication Date 2023-03-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:194897 Serial (down) 7269
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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 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 (down) 7268
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Author Lu, X.P.; Bruggeman, P.J.; Reuter, S.; Naidis, G.; Bogaerts, A.; Laroussi, M.; Keidar, M.; Robert, E.; Pouvesle, J.-M.; Liu, D.W.; Ostrikov, K.(K.)
Title Grand challenges in low temperature plasmas Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Frontiers in physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume 10 Issue Pages 1040658-12
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Low temperature plasmas (LTPs) enable to create a highly reactive environment at near ambient temperatures due to the energetic electrons with typical kinetic energies in the range of 1 to 10 eV (1 eV = 11600K), which are being used in applications ranging from plasma etching of electronic chips and additive manufacturing to plasma-assisted combustion. LTPs are at the core of many advanced technologies. Without LTPs, many of the conveniences of modern society would simply not exist. New applications of LTPs are continuously being proposed. Researchers are facing many grand challenges before these new applications can be translated to practice. In this paper, we will discuss the challenges being faced in the field of LTPs, in particular for atmospheric pressure plasmas, with a focus on health, energy and sustainability.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000878212000001 Publication Date 2022-10-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2296-424x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.1
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192173 Serial (down) 7267
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Author Bal, K.M.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Extending and validating bubble nucleation rate predictions in a Lennard-Jones fluid with enhanced sampling methods and transition state theory Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Journal Of Chemical Physics Abbreviated Journal J Chem Phys
Volume 157 Issue 18 Pages 184113-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We calculate bubble nucleation rates in a Lennard-Jones fluid through explicit molecular dynamics simulations. Our approach-based on a recent free energy method (dubbed reweighted Jarzynski sampling), transition state theory, and a simple recrossing correction-allows us to probe a fairly wide range of rates in several superheated and cavitation regimes in a consistent manner. Rate predictions from this approach bridge disparate independent literature studies on the same model system. As such, we find that rate predictions based on classical nucleation theory, direct brute force molecular dynamics simulations, and seeding are consistent with our approach and one another. Published rates derived from forward flux sampling simulations are, however, found to be outliers. This study serves two purposes: First, we validate the reliability of common modeling techniques and extrapolation approaches on a paradigmatic problem in materials science and chemical physics. Second, we further test our highly generic recipe for rate calculations, and establish its applicability to nucleation processes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000885260600002 Publication Date 2022-11-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0021-9606 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.4
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192076 Serial (down) 7266
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Author Kovács, A.; Yusupov, M.; Cornet, I.; Billen, P.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Effect of natural deep eutectic solvents of non-eutectic compositions on enzyme stability Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Journal Of Molecular Liquids Abbreviated Journal J Mol Liq
Volume 366 Issue Pages 120180-17
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE); Intelligence in PRocesses, Advanced Catalysts and Solvents (iPRACS)
Abstract Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) represent a green alternative to common organic solvents in the biochemical industry due to their benign behavior and tailorable properties, in particular as media for enzymatic reactions. However, to fully exploit their potential in enzymatic reactions, there is a need for a more fundamental understanding of how these neoteric solvents influence the course of these reac-tions. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the influence of NADES with various molar composi-tions on the stability and structure of enzymes, applying molecular dynamics simulations. This can help to better understand the effect of individual compounds of NADES, in addition to eutectic mixtures. More specifically, we simulate the behavior of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) enzyme in NADES com-posed of choline chloride with either urea, ethylene glycol or glycerol. Hereto, we monitor the NADES microstructure, the general stability of the enzyme and changes in the structure of its active sites and sur-face residues. Our simulations show that none of the studied NADES systems significantly disrupt the microstructure of the solvent or the stability of the CALB enzyme within the time scales of the simula-tions. The enzyme preserves its initial structure, size and intra-chain hydrogen bonds in all investigated compositions and, for the first time reported, also in NADES with increased hydrogen bond donating com-pound ratios. As the main novelty, our results indicate that, in addition to the composition, the molar ratio can be an additional variable to fine-tune the physicochemical properties of NADES without altering the enzyme characteristics. These findings could facilitate the development and application of task -tailored NADES media for biocatalytic processes. (c) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000865431800010 Publication Date 2022-08-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0167-7322 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 6 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:191538 Serial (down) 7265
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Author Wang, J.; Zhang, K.; Meynen, V.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Dry reforming in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor with non-uniform discharge gap : effects of metal rings on the discharge behavior and performance Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 142953-29
Keywords A1 Journal article; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The application of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactors is promising in various environmental and energy processes, but is limited by their low energy yield. In this study, we put a number of stainless steel rings over the inner electrode rod of the DBD reactor to change the local discharge gap and electric field, and we studied the dry reforming performance. At 50 W supplied power, the metal rings mostly have a negative impact on the performance, which we attribute to the non-uniform spatial distribution of the discharges caused by the rings. However, at 30 W supplied power, the energy yield is higher than at 50 W and the placement of the rings improves the performance of the reactor. More rings and with a larger cross-sectional diameter can further improve the performance. The reactor with 20 rings with a 3.2 mm cross-sectional diameter exhibits the best performance in this study. Compared to the reactor without rings, it increases the CO2 conversion from 7% to 16 %, the CH4 conversion from 12% to 23%, and the energy yield from 0.05 mmol/kJ supplied power to 0.1 mmol/kJ (0.19 mmol/kJ if calculated from the plasma power), respectively. The presence of the rings increases the local electric field, the displaced charge and the discharge fraction, and also makes the discharge more stable and with more uniform intensity. It also slightly improves the selectivity to syngas. The performance improvement observed by placing stainless steel rings in this study may also be applicable to other plasma-based processes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000986051300001 Publication Date 2023-04-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2023 IF: 6.216
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:195603 Serial (down) 7264
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Author Javdani, Z.; Hassani, N.; Faraji, F.; Zhou, R.; Sun, C.; Radha, B.; Neyts, E.; Peeters, F.M.; Neek-Amal, M.
Title Clogging and unclogging of hydrocarbon-contaminated nanochannels Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication The journal of physical chemistry letters Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem Lett
Volume 13 Issue 49 Pages 11454-11463
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The recent advantages of the fabrication of artificial nanochannels enabled new research on the molecular transport, permeance, and selectivity of various gases and molecules. However, the physisorption/chemisorption of the unwanted molecules (usually hydrocarbons) inside nanochannels results in the alteration of the functionality of the nanochannels. We investigated contamination due to hydrocarbon molecules, nanochannels made of graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, BC2N, and molybdenum disulfide using molecular dynamics simulations. We found that for a certain size of nanochannel (i.e., h = 0.7 nm), as a result of the anomalous hydrophilic nature of nanochannels made of graphene, the hydrocarbons are fully adsorbed in the nanochannel, giving rise to full uptake. An increasing temperature plays an important role in unclogging, while pressure does not have a significant role. The results of our pioneering work contribute to a better understanding and highlight the important factors in alleviating the contamination and unclogging of nanochannels, which are in good agreement with the results of recent experiments.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000893147700001 Publication Date 2022-12-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1948-7185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.7
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:192815 Serial (down) 7263
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Author Wang, J.; Zhang, K.; Bogaerts, A.; Meynen, V.
Title 3D porous catalysts for plasma-catalytic dry reforming of methane : how does the pore size affect the plasma-catalytic performance? Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 464 Issue Pages 142574-12
Keywords A1 Journal article; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The effect of pore size on plasma catalysis is crucial but still unclear. Studies have shown plasma cannot enter micropores and mesopores, so catalysts for traditional thermocatalysis may not fit plasma catalysis. Here, 3D porous Cu and CuO with different pore sizes were prepared using uniform silica particles (10–2000 nm) as templates, and compared in plasma-catalytic dry reforming. In most cases, the smaller the pore size, the higher the conversion of CH4 and CO2. Large pores reachable by more electrons did not improve the reaction efficiency. We attribute this to the small surface area and large crystallite size, as indicated by N2-sorption, mercury intrusion and XRD. While the smaller pores might not be reachable by electrons, due to the sheath formed in front of them, as predicted by modeling, they can still be reached by radicals formed in the plasma, and ions can even be attracted into these pores. An exception are the samples synthesized from 1 μm silica, which show better performance. We believe this is due to the electric field enhancement for pore sizes close to the Debye length. The performances of CuO and Cu with different pore sizes can provide references for future research on oxide supports and metal components of plasma catalysts.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000966076400001 Publication Date 2023-03-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947; 1873-3212 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2023 IF: 6.216
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:194862 Serial (down) 7262
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de la Encarnación, C.; Jungwirth, F.; Vila-Liarte, D.; Renero-Lecuna, C.; Kavak, S.; Orue, I.; Wilhelm, C.; Bals, S.; Henriksen-Lacey, M.; Jimenez de Aberasturi, D.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.
Title Hybrid core–shell nanoparticles for cell-specific magnetic separation and photothermal heating Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Journal of materials chemistry B : materials for biology and medicine Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Hyperthermia, as the process of heating a malignant site above 42 °C to trigger cell death, has emerged as an effective and selective cancer therapy strategy. Various modalities of hyperthermia have been proposed, among which magnetic and photothermal hyperthermia are known to benefit from the use of nanomaterials. In this context, we introduce herein a hybrid colloidal nanostructure comprising plasmonic gold nanorods (AuNRs) covered by a silica shell, onto which iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) are subsequently grown. The resulting hybrid nanostructures are responsive to both external magnetic fields and near-infrared irradiation. As a result, they can be applied for the targeted magnetic separation of selected cell populations – upon targeting by antibody functionalization – as well as for photothermal heating. Through this combined functionality, the therapeutic effect of photothermal heating can be enhanced. We demonstrate both the fabrication of the hybrid system and its application for targeted photothermal hyperthermia of human glioblastoma cells.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000968908400001 Publication Date 2023-04-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2050-750X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, PID2019-108854RA-I00 ; H2020 European Research Council, ERC AdG 787510, 4DBIOSERS ERC CoG 815128, REALNANO ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, PhD research grant 1181122N ; Approved Most recent IF: 7; 2023 IF: 4.543
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195879 Serial (down) 7261
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Craig, T.M.; Kadu, A.A.; Batenburg, K.J.; Bals, S.
Title Real-time tilt undersampling optimization during electron tomography of beam sensitive samples using golden ratio scanning and RECAST3D Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal
Volume 15 Issue 11 Pages 5391-5402
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Electron tomography is a widely used technique for 3D structural analysis of nanomaterials, but it can cause damage to samples due to high electron doses and long exposure times. To minimize such damage, researchers often reduce beam exposure by acquiring fewer projections through tilt undersampling. However, this approach can also introduce reconstruction artifacts due to insufficient sampling. Therefore, it is important to determine the optimal number of projections that minimizes both beam exposure and undersampling artifacts for accurate reconstructions of beam-sensitive samples. Current methods for determining this optimal number of projections involve acquiring and post-processing multiple reconstructions with different numbers of projections, which can be time-consuming and requires multiple samples due to sample damage. To improve this process, we propose a protocol that combines golden ratio scanning and quasi-3D reconstruction to estimate the optimal number of projections in real-time during a single acquisition. This protocol was validated using simulated and realistic nanoparticles, and was successfully applied to reconstruct two beam-sensitive metal–organic framework complexes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000937908900001 Publication Date 2023-02-13
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 6.7 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes H2020 European Research Council, 815128 ; H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, 860942 ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.7; 2023 IF: 7.367
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195235 Serial (down) 7260
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Van Alphen, S.; Hecimovic, A.; Kiefer, C.K.; Fantz, U.; Snyders, R.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Modelling post-plasma quenching nozzles for improving the performance of CO2 microwave plasmas Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 462 Issue Pages 142217
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Given the ecological problems associated to the CO2 emissions of fossil fuels, plasma technology has gained

interest for conversion of CO2 into value-added products. Microwave plasmas operating at atmospheric pressure

have proven to be especially interesting, due to the high gas temperatures inside the reactor (i.e. up to 6000 K)

allowing for efficient thermal dissociation of CO2 into CO and O2. However, the performance of these high

temperature plasmas is limited by recombination of CO back into CO2 once the gas cools down in the afterglow.

In this work, we computationally investigated several quenching nozzles, developed and experimentally tested

by Hecimovic et al., [1] for their ability to quickly cool the gas after the plasma, thereby quenching the CO

recombination reactions. Using a 3D computational fluid dynamics model and a quasi-1D chemical kinetics

model, we reveal that a reactor without nozzle lacks gas mixing between hot gas in the center and cold gas near

the reactor walls. Especially at low flow rates, where there is an inherent lack of convective cooling due to the

low gas flow velocity, the temperature in the afterglow remains high (between 2000 and 3000 K) for a relatively

long time (in the 0.1 s range). As shown by our quasi-1D chemical kinetics model, this results in a important loss

of CO due to recombination reactions. Attaching a nozzle in the effluent of the reactor induces fast gas quenching

right after the plasma. Indeed, it introduces (i) more convective cooling by forcing cool gas near the walls to mix

with hot gas in the center of the reactor, as well as (ii) more conductive cooling through the water-cooled walls of

the nozzle. Our model shows that gas quenching and the suppression of recombination reactions have more

impact at low flow rates, where recombination is the most limiting factor in the conversion process.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000962382600001 Publication Date 2023-03-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This research was supported by the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 810182 – SCOPE ERC Synergy project), and through long-term structural funding (Methusalem). The calculations were performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UAntwerpen), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UAntwerpen. Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2023 IF: 6.216
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195889 Serial (down) 7259
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Eshtehardi, H.A.; Van ‘t Veer, K.; Delplancke, M.-P.; Reniers, F.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Postplasma Catalytic Model for NO Production: Revealing the Underlying Mechanisms to Improve the Process Efficiency Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages 1720-1733
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma catalysis is emerging for plasma-assisted gas conversion

processes. However, the underlying mechanisms of plasma catalysis are poorly

understood. In this work, we present a 1D heterogeneous catalysis model with axial

dispersion (i.e., accounting for back-mixing and molecular diffusion of fluid elements in

the process stream in the axial direction), for plasma-catalytic NO production from

N2/O2 mixtures. We investigate the concentration and reaction rates of each species

formed as a function of time and position across the catalyst, in order to determine the

underlying mechanisms. To obtain insights into how the performance of the process

can be further improved, we also study how changes in the postplasma gas flow

composition entering the catalyst bed and in the operation conditions of the catalytic

stage affect the performance of NO production.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000926412800001 Publication Date 2023-02-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 30505023 GoF9618n ; Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique – FNRS, 30505023 GoF9618n ; H2020 European Research Council, 810182 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195377 Serial (down) 7258
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Eshtehardi, H.A.; Van ‘t Veer, K.; Delplancke, M.-P.; Reniers, F.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Postplasma Catalytic Model for NO Production: Revealing the Underlying Mechanisms to Improve the Process Efficiency Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages 1720-1733
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma catalysis is emerging for plasma-assisted gas conversion

processes. However, the underlying mechanisms of plasma catalysis are poorly

understood. In this work, we present a 1D heterogeneous catalysis model with axial

dispersion (i.e., accounting for back-mixing and molecular diffusion of fluid elements in

the process stream in the axial direction), for plasma-catalytic NO production from

N2/O2 mixtures. We investigate the concentration and reaction rates of each species

formed as a function of time and position across the catalyst, in order to determine the

underlying mechanisms. To obtain insights into how the performance of the process

can be further improved, we also study how changes in the postplasma gas flow

composition entering the catalyst bed and in the operation conditions of the catalytic

stage affect the performance of NO production.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000926412800001 Publication Date 2023-02-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This research was supported by the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023) and the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 810182 − SCOPE ERC Synergy project). The calculations were performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UAntwerpen), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UAntwerpen. Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195377 Serial (down) 7257
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De Weerdt, L.; De Jaeger, S.; Compernolle, T.; Van Passel, S.
Title How an incineration tax changes waste management practices among firms Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2022 Publication Resources Conservation And Recycling Abbreviated Journal Resour Conserv Recy
Volume 180 Issue Pages 106172
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Abstract Sustainable management of industrial plastic waste is crucial in the transition to a circular economy. Today, most industrial plastic waste is incinerated, whereas it could be recycled. As a consequence, governments increasingly make use of incineration taxes to improve current waste management practices. This paper presents an econometric panel analysis that studies the effects of an incineration tax on industrial plastic waste in Flanders (Belgium). Not only is this study the first econometric analysis on industrial plastic waste management in which firm heterogeneity is explicitly taken into account by including firm-specific characteristics, but this study also provides policymakers with insights into the effectiveness of an incineration tax to change current waste management practices. Empirical estimates imply that heterogeneous firms generate industrial plastic waste in different ways and that heterogeneous firms reduce their waste generation in different ways after the incineration tax rate increases. The estimates also show that the unique decrease of the incineration tax in 2007, did not change waste management practices. These estimates show that firms do not disinvest or indicate that loss aversion theory, i.e. a preference for avoiding losses over acquiring equivalent gains, might apply to firms that are faced with environmental taxation in a waste management context.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2022-01-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-3449 ISBN Additional Links
Impact Factor 13.2 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 13.2
Call Number ENM @ enm @ Serial (down) 7256
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author van der Sluijs, M.M.; Salzmann, B.B.V.; Arenas Esteban, D.; Li, C.; Jannis, D.; Brafine, L.C.; Laning, T.D.; Reinders, J.W.C.; Hijmans, N.S.A.; Moes, J.R.; Verbeeck, J.; Bals, S.; Vanmaekelbergh, D.
Title Study of the Mechanism and Increasing Crystallinity in the Self-Templated Growth of Ultrathin PbS Nanosheets Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Colloidal 2D semiconductor nanocrystals, the analogue of solid-state quantum wells, have attracted strong interest in material science and physics. Molar quantities of suspended quantum objects with spectrally pure absorption and emission can be synthesized. For the visible region, CdSe nanoplatelets with atomically precise thickness and tailorable emission have been (almost) perfected. For the near-infrared region, PbS nanosheets (NSs) hold strong promise, but the photoluminescence quantum yield is low and many questions on the crystallinity, atomic structure, intriguing rectangular shape, and formation mechanism remain to be answered. Here, we report on a detailed investigation of the PbS NSs prepared with a lead thiocyanate single source precursor. Atomically resolved HAADF-STEM imaging reveals the presence of defects and small cubic domains in the deformed orthorhombic PbS crystal lattice. Moreover, variations in thickness are observed in the NSs, but only in steps of 2 PbS monolayers. To study the reaction mechanism, a synthesis at a lower temperature allowed for the study of reaction intermediates. Specifically, we studied the evolution of pseudo-crystalline templates towards mature, crystalline PbS NSs. We propose a self-induced templating mechanism based on an oleylamine-lead-thiocyanate (OLAM-Pb-SCN) complex with two Pb-SCN units as a building block; the interactions between the long-chain ligands regulate the crystal structure and possibly the lateral dimensions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000959572100001 Publication Date 2023-03-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0897-4756 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.6 Times cited 2 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes H2020 Research Infrastructures, 731019 ; H2020 European Research Council, 692691 815128 ; Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 715.016.002 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.6; 2023 IF: 9.466
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195894 Serial (down) 7255
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Vervloessem, E.; Gromov, M.; De Geyter, N.; Bogaerts, A.; Gorbanev, Y.; Nikiforov, A.
Title NH3and HNOxFormation and Loss in Nitrogen Fixation from Air with Water Vapor by Nonequilibrium Plasma Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 10 Pages 4289-4298
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The current global energy crisis indicated that increasing our

insight into nonfossil fuel nitrogen fixation pathways for synthetic fertilizer

production is more crucial than ever. Nonequilibrium plasma is a good candidate

because it can use N2 or air as a N source and water directly as a H source, instead

of H2 or fossil fuel (CH4). In this work, we investigate NH3 gas phase formation

pathways from humid N2 and especially humid air up to 2.4 mol % H2O (100%

relative humidity at 20 °C) by optical emission spectroscopy and Fouriertransform

infrared spectroscopy. We demonstrate that the nitrogen fixation

capacity is increased when water vapor is added, as this enables HNO2 and NH3

production in both N2 and air. However, we identified a significant loss

mechanism for NH3 and HNO2 that occurs in systems where these species are

synthesized simultaneously; i.e., downstream from the plasma, HNO2 reacts with NH3 to form NH4NO2, which rapidly decomposes

into N2 and H2O. We also discuss approaches to prevent this loss mechanism, as it reduces the effective nitrogen fixation when not

properly addressed and therefore should be considered in future works aimed at optimizing plasma-based N2 fixation. In-line removal

of HNO2 or direct solvation in liquid are two proposed strategies to suppress this loss mechanism. Indeed, using liquid H2O is

beneficial for accumulation of the N2 fixation products. Finally, in humid air, we also produce NH4NO3, from the reaction of HNO3

with NH3, which is of direct interest for fertilizer application.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000953337700001 Publication Date 2023-03-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2168-0485 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This research is supported by the Excellence of Science FWOFNRS project (NITROPLASM, FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant No. 810182 − SCOPE ERC Synergy project), and the Fund for Scientific Research (FWO) Flanders Bioeconomy project (grant No. G0G2322N), funded by the European Union-NextGenerationEU. Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 5.951
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195878 Serial (down) 7254
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Liu, R.; Hao, Y.; Wang, T.; Wang, L.; Bogaerts, A.; Guo, H.; Yi, Y.
Title Hybrid plasma-thermal system for methane conversion to ethylene and hydrogen Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 463 Issue Pages 142442
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract By combining dielectric barrier discharge plasma and external heating, we exploit a two-stage hybrid plasmathermal

system (HPTS), i.e., a plasma stage followed by a thermal stage, for direct non-oxidative coupling of

CH4 to C2H4 and H2, yielding a CH4 conversion of ca. 17 %. In the two-stage HPTS, the plasma first converts CH4

into C2H6 and C3H8, which in the thermal stage leads to a high C2H4 selectivity of ca. 63 % by pyrolysis, with H2

selectivity of ca. 64 %.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000953890500001 Publication Date 2023-03-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [22272015, 21503032], the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China [DUT21JC40]. Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2023 IF: 6.216
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195888 Serial (down) 7253
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Vlasov, E.; Denisov, N.; Verbeeck, J.
Title Low-cost electron detector for scanning electron microscope Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication HardwareX Abbreviated Journal HardwareX
Volume 14 Issue Pages e00413
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Electron microscopy is an indispensable tool for the characterization of (nano) materials. Electron microscopes are typically very expensive and their internal operation is often shielded from the user. This situation can provide fast and high quality results for researchers focusing on e.g. materials science if they have access to the relevant instruments. For researchers focusing on technique development, wishing to test novel setups, however, the high entry price can lead to risk aversion and deter researchers from innovating electron microscopy technology further. The closed attitude of commercial entities about how exactly the different parts of electron microscopes work, makes it even harder for newcomers in this field. Here we propose an affordable, easy-to-build electron detector for use in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The aim of this project is to shed light on the functioning of such detectors as well as show that even a very modest design can lead to acceptable performance while providing high flexibility for experimentation and customization.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001042486000001 Publication Date 2023-03-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2468-0672 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) project SBO [Grant No. S000121N]. JV acknowledges funding from the HORIZON-INFRA-2022-TECH-01-01 project IMPRESS [Grant No. 101094299]. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195886 Serial (down) 7252
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Zhang, Z.; Lobato, I.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.; Nellist, P.
Title Fast generation of calculated ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections under channelling conditions Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal
Volume 246 Issue Pages 113671
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Advanced materials often consist of multiple elements which are arranged in a complicated structure. Quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy is useful to determine the composition and thickness of nanostructures at the atomic scale. However, significant difficulties remain to quantify mixed columns by comparing the resulting atomic resolution images and spectroscopy data with multislice simulations where dynamic scattering needs to be taken into account. The combination of the computationally intensive nature of these simulations and the enormous amount of possible mixed column configurations for a given composition indeed severely hamper the quantification process. To overcome these challenges, we here report the development of an incoherent non-linear method for the fast prediction of ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections of mixed columns under channelling conditions. We first explain the origin of the ADF and EDX incoherence from scattering physics suggesting a linear dependence between those two signals in the case of a high-angle ADF detector. Taking EDX as a perfect incoherent reference mode, we quantitatively examine the ADF longitudinal incoherence under different microscope conditions using multislice simulations. Based on incoherent imaging, the atomic lensing model previously developed for ADF is now expanded to EDX, which yields ADF-EDX scattering cross-section predictions in good agreement with multislice simulations for mixed columns in a core–shell nanoparticle and a high entropy alloy. The fast and accurate prediction of ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections opens up new opportunities to explore the wide range of ordering possibilities of heterogeneous materials with multiple elements.
Address
Corporate Author Zezhong Zhang Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000995063900001 Publication Date 2022-12-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes European Research Council 770887 PICOMETRICS; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek No.G.0502.18N; Horizon 2020, 770887 ; Horizon 2020 Framework Programme; European Research Council, 823717 ESTEEM3 ; esteem3reported; esteem3JRa Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2023 IF: 2.843
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195890 Serial (down) 7251
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Van Alphen, S.; Hecimovic, A.; Kiefer, C.K.; Fantz, U.; Snyders, R.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Modelling post-plasma quenching nozzles for improving the performance of CO2 microwave plasmas Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 462 Issue Pages 142217
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Given the ecological problems associated to the CO2 emissions of fossil fuels, plasma technology has gained

interest for conversion of CO2 into value-added products. Microwave plasmas operating at atmospheric pressure

have proven to be especially interesting, due to the high gas temperatures inside the reactor (i.e. up to 6000 K)

allowing for efficient thermal dissociation of CO2 into CO and O2. However, the performance of these high

temperature plasmas is limited by recombination of CO back into CO2 once the gas cools down in the afterglow.

In this work, we computationally investigated several quenching nozzles, developed and experimentally tested

by Hecimovic et al., [1] for their ability to quickly cool the gas after the plasma, thereby quenching the CO

recombination reactions. Using a 3D computational fluid dynamics model and a quasi-1D chemical kinetics

model, we reveal that a reactor without nozzle lacks gas mixing between hot gas in the center and cold gas near

the reactor walls. Especially at low flow rates, where there is an inherent lack of convective cooling due to the

low gas flow velocity, the temperature in the afterglow remains high (between 2000 and 3000 K) for a relatively

long time (in the 0.1 s range). As shown by our quasi-1D chemical kinetics model, this results in a important loss

of CO due to recombination reactions. Attaching a nozzle in the effluent of the reactor induces fast gas quenching

right after the plasma. Indeed, it introduces (i) more convective cooling by forcing cool gas near the walls to mix

with hot gas in the center of the reactor, as well as (ii) more conductive cooling through the water-cooled walls of

the nozzle. Our model shows that gas quenching and the suppression of recombination reactions have more

impact at low flow rates, where recombination is the most limiting factor in the conversion process.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000962382600001 Publication Date 2023-03-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This research was supported by the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 810182 – SCOPE ERC Synergy project), and through long-term structural funding (Methusalem). The calculations were performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UAntwerpen), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UAntwerpen. Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2023 IF: 6.216
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195889 Serial (down) 7250
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Daele, K.V.; Arenas‐Esteban, D.; Choukroun, D.; Hoekx, S.; Rossen, A.; Daems, N.; Pant, D.; Bals, S.; Breugelmans, T.
Title Enhanced Pomegranate‐Structured SnO2Electrocatalysts for the Electrochemical CO2Reduction to Formate Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication ChemElectroChem Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Abstract Although most state-of-the-art Sn-based electrocatalysts yield promising results in terms of selectivity and catalyst activity, their stability remains insufficient to date. Here, we demonstrate the successful application of the recently developed pomegranate-structured SnO2 (Pom. SnO2) and SnO2@C (Pom. SnO2@C) nanocomposite electrocatalysts for the efficient electrochemical conversion of CO2 to formate. With an initial selectivity of 83 and 86% towards formate and an operating potential of -0.72 V and -0.64 V vs. RHE, respectively, these pomegranate SnO2 electrocatalysts are able to compete with most of the current state-of-the-art Sn-based electrocatalysts in terms of activity and selectivity. Given the importance of electrocatalyst stability, long-term experiments (24 h) were performed and a temporary loss in selectivity for the Pom. SnO2@C electrocatalyst was largely restored to its initial selectivity upon drying and exposure to air. Of all the used (24 h) electrocatalysts, the pomegranate SnO2@C had the highest selectivity over a time period of one hour, reaching an average recovered FE of 85%, while the commercial SnO2 and bare pomegranate SnO2 electrocatalysts reached an average of 79 and 80% FE towards formate, respectively. Furthermore, the pomegranate structure of Pom. SnO2@C was largely preserved due to the presence of the heterogeneous carbon shell, which acts as a protective layer, physically inhibiting particle segregation/pulverisation and agglomeration.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000936694800001 Publication Date 2023-02-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2196-0216 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes European Regional Development Fund, E2C 2S03-019 ; Approved Most recent IF: 4; 2023 IF: 4.136
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195228 Serial (down) 7249
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Author Chowdhury, M.S.; Rösch, E.L.; Esteban, D.A.; Janssen, K.-J.; Wolgast, F.; Ludwig, F.; Schilling, M.; Bals, S.; Viereck, T.; Lak, A.
Title Decoupling the Characteristics of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Ultrahigh Sensitivity Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Nano letters Abbreviated Journal
Volume 23 Issue 1 Pages 58-65
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Immunoassays exploiting magnetization dynamics of magnetic nanoparticles are highly promising for mix-and-measure, quantitative, and point-of-care diagnostics. However, how single-core magnetic nanoparticles can be employed to reduce particle concentration and concomitantly maximize assay sensitivity is not fully understood. Here, we design monodisperse Néel and Brownian relaxing magnetic nanocubes (MNCs) of different sizes and compositions. We provide insights into how to decouple physical properties of these MNCs to achieve ultrahigh sensitivity. We find that tri-component-based Zn0.06 Co0.80Fe2.14 O4 particles, with out-of-phase to initial magnetic susceptibility χ /χ ratio of 0.47 out of 0.50 for magnetically blocked ideal particles, show the ultrahigh magnetic sensitivity by providing rich magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) harmonics spectrum despite bearing lower saturation magnetization than di-component Zn0.1Fe2.9O4 having high saturation magnetization. The Zn0.06Co0.80Fe2.14O4 MNCs, coated with catechol-based polyethylene glycol ligands, measured by our benchtop MPS show three orders of magnitude better particle LOD than that of commercial nanoparticles of comparable size.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000907816300001 Publication Date 2023-01-11
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 10.8 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG RTG 1952 ; Joachim Herz Stiftung; H2020 Research Infrastructures, 823717 ; Approved Most recent IF: 10.8; 2023 IF: 12.712
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:193406 Serial (down) 7248
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Author Marchetti, A.; Gori, A.; Ferretti, A.M.; Esteban, D.A.; Bals, S.; Pigliacelli, C.; Metrangolo, P.
Title Templated Out‐of‐Equilibrium Self‐Assembly of Branched Au Nanoshells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Small Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 2206712
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Out-of-equilibrium self-assembly of metal nanoparticles (NPs) has been devised using different types of strategies and fuels, but the achievement of finite 3D structures with a controlled morphology through this assembly mode is still rare. Here we used a spherical peptide-gold superstructure (PAuSS) as a template to control the out-of-equilibrium self-assembly of Au NPs, obtaining a transient 3D branched Au-nanoshell (BAuNS) stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). The BAuNS dismantled upon concentration gradient equilibration over time in the solution, leading to NPs disassembly. Notably, BAuNS assembly and disassembly favoured temporary interparticle plasmonic coupling, leading to a remarkable oscillation of their optical properties.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000914725800001 Publication Date 2023-01-17
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1613-6810 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 13.3 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes European Research Council, ERC‐2017‐PoC MINIRES 789815 ERC‐2012‐StG_20111012 FOLDHALO 307108 815128 ; Approved Most recent IF: 13.3; 2023 IF: 8.643
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:194299 Serial (down) 7247
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Author Morais, E.; Delikonstantis, E.; Scapinello, M.; Smith, G.; Stefanidis, G.D.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Methane coupling in nanosecond pulsed plasmas: Correlation between temperature and pressure and effects on product selectivity Type A1 Journal article
Year 2023 Publication Chemical engineering journal Abbreviated Journal
Volume 462 Issue Pages 142227
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We present a zero-dimensional kinetic model to characterise specifically the gas-phase dynamics of methane

conversion in a nanosecond pulsed discharge (NPD) plasma reactor. The model includes a systematic approach to

capture the nanoscale power discharges and the rapid ensuing changes in electric field, gas and electron temperature,

as well as species densities. The effects of gas temperature and reactor pressure on gas conversion and

product selectivity are extensively investigated and validated against experimental work. We discuss the

important reaction pathways and provide an analysis of the dynamics of the heating and cooling mechanisms. H

radicals are found to be the most populous plasma species and they participate in hydrogenation and dehydrogenation

reactions, which are the dominant recombination reactions leading to C2H4 and C2H2 as main

products (depending on the pressure).
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000983631500001 Publication Date 2023-03-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1385-8947 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 15.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes We gratefully acknowledge financial support by the Flemish Government through the Moonshot cSBO project “Power-to-Olefins” (P2O; HBC.2020.2620). Approved Most recent IF: 15.1; 2023 IF: 6.216
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:195881 Serial (down) 7246
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