Abstract: The darkening of lead chromate yellow pigments, caused by a reduction of the chromate ions to Cr(III) compounds, is known to affect the appearance of several paintings by Vincent van Gogh. In previous papers of this series, we demonstrated that the darkening is activated by light and depends on the chemical composition and crystalline structure of the pigments. In this work, the results of Part 2 are extended and complemented with a new study aimed at deepening the knowledge of the nature and distribution of Cr and S species at the interface between the chrome yellow paint and the nonoriginal coating layer. For this purpose, three microsamples from two varnished paintings by Van Gogh and a waxed low relief by Gauguin (all originally uncoated) have been examined. Because nonoriginal coatings are often present in artwork by Van Gogh and contemporaries, the understanding of whether or not their application has influenced the morphological and/or physicochemical properties of the chrome yellow paint underneath is relevant in view of the conservation of these masterpieces. In all the samples studied, microscopic X-ray fluorescence (mu-XRF) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (mu-XANES) investigations showed that Cr(III)-based alteration products are present in the form of grains inside the coating (generally enriched of S species) and also homogeneously widespread at the paint surface. The distribution of Cr(III) species may be explained by the mechanical friction caused by the coating application by brush that picked up and redistributed the superficial Cr compounds, likely already present in the reduced state as result of the photodegradation process. The analysis of the XANES profiles allowed us to obtain new insights into the nature of the Cr(III) alteration products, that were identified as sulfate-, oxide-, organo-metal-, and chloride-based compounds. Building upon the knowledge acquired through the examination of original paint samples and from the investigation of aged model paints in the last Part 4 paper, in this study we aim to characterize a possible relation between the chemical composition of the coating and the chrome yellow degradation pathways by studying photochemically aged model samples covered with a dammar varnish contaminated with sulfide and sulfate salts. Cr speciation results did not show any evidence of the active role of the varnish and added S species on the reduction process of chrome yellows.

Abstract: Lanthanumcerium oxide (LCO) films were deposited on Ni-5%W substrates by chemical solution deposition (CSD) from water-based precursors. LCO films containing different ratios of lanthanum and cerium ions (from CeO2 to La2Ce2O7) were prepared. The composition of the layers was optimized towards the formation of LCO buffer layers, lattice-matched with the superconducting YBa2Cu3Oy layer, useful for the development of coated conductors. Single, crack-free LCO layers with a thickness of up to 140 nm could be obtained in a single deposition step. The crystallinity and microstructure of these lattice-matched LCO layers were studied by X-ray diffraction techniques, RHEED and SEM. We find that only layers with thickness below 100 nm show a crystalline top surface although both thick and thin layers show good biaxial texture in XRD. On the most promising layers, AFM and (S)TEM were performed to further evaluate their morphology. The overall surface roughness varies between 3.9 and 7.5 nm, while the layers appear much more dense than the frequently used La2Zr2O7 (LZO) systems, showing much smaller nanovoids (12 nm) than the latter system. Their effective buffer layer action was studied using XPS. The thin LCO layers supported the growth of superconducting YBCO deposited using PLD methods.

Abstract: While conjugated vegetable oils are currently used as additives in the drying agents of oils and paints, they are also attractive molecules for making bio-plastics. Moreover, conjugated oils will soon be accepted as nutritional additives for functional food products. While current manufacture of conjugated vegetable oils or conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) uses a homogeneous base as isomerisation catalyst, a heterogeneous alternative is not available today. This contribution presents the direct production of CLAs over Ru supported on different zeolites, varying in topology (ZSM-5, BETA, Y), Si/Al ratio and countercation (H+, Na+, Cs+). Ru/Cs-USY, with a Si/Al ratio of 40, was identified as the most active and selective catalyst for isomerisation of methyl linoleate (cis-9,cis-12 (C18:2)) to CLA at 165 °C. Interestingly, no hydrogen pre-treatment of the catalyst or addition of hydrogen donors is required to achieve industrially relevant isomerisation productivities, namely, 0.7 g of CLA per litre of solvent per minute. Moreover, the biologically most active CLA isomers, namely, cis-9,trans-11, trans-10,cis-12 and trans-9,trans-11, were the main products, especially at low catalyst concentrations. Ex situ physicochemical characterisation with CO chemisorption, extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements, transmission electron microscopy analysis, and temperature-programmed oxidation reveals the presence of highly dispersed RuO2 species in Ru/Cs-USY(40).

Abstract: Mesoporous strontium hydroxyapatite (SrHAp) nanorods (NRs) have been successfully synthesized using a simple and efficient chemical route, i.e. the hydrothermal method. Structural and morphological characterization of the as-synthesized SrHAp NRs have been performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). TEM and HAADF-STEM measurements of the NRs reveal the coexistence of longer and shorter particles with the length ranging from 50 nm to 400 nm and a diameter of about 20-40 nm. Electron tomography measurements of the NRs allow us to better visualize the mesopores and their facets. Two model drugs, hydrophobic risperidone and hydrophilic pramipexole, were loaded into the SrHAp NRs. These nanorods were coated using a modified chitosan (CS) with poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA), in order to encapsulate the drug-loaded SrHAp nanoparticles and reduce the cytotoxicity of the loaded materials. The drug release from neat and encapsulated SrHAp NRs mainly depends on the drug hydrophilicity. Importantly, although neat SrHAp nanorods exhibit some cytotoxicity against Caco-2 cells, the Cs-g-PHEMA-SrHAp drug-loaded nanorods show an acceptable cytocompatibility.

Abstract: Continued miniaturization of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) requires an ever-decreasing thickness of the gate oxide. The structure of ultrathin silicon oxide films, however, critically depends on the oxidation mechanism. Using reactive atomistic simulations, we here demonstrate how the oxidation mechanism in hyperthermal oxidation of such structures may be controlled by the oxidation temperature and the oxidant energy. Specifically, we study the interaction of hyperthermal oxygen with energies of 15 eV with thin SiOx (x ≤ 2) films with a native oxide thickness of about 10 Å. We analyze the oxygen penetration depth probability and compare with results of the hyperthermal oxidation of a bare Si(100){2 × 1} (c-Si) surface. The temperature-dependent oxidation mechanisms are discussed in detail. Our results demonstrate that, at low (i.e., room) temperature, the penetrated oxygen mostly resides in the oxide region rather than at the SiOx|c-Si interface. However, at higher temperatures, starting at around 700 K, oxygen atoms are found to penetrate and to diffuse through the oxide layer followed by reaction at the c-Si boundary. We demonstrate that hyperthermal oxidation resembles thermal oxidation, which can be described by the DealGrove model at high temperatures. Furthermore, defect creation mechanisms that occur during the oxidation process are also analyzed. This study is useful for the fabrication of ultrathin silicon oxide gate oxides for metal-oxide-semiconductor devices as it links parameters that can be straightforwardly controlled in experiment (oxygen temperature, velocity) with the silicon oxide structure.

Abstract: The exploration of the Mn4+-rich side of the Pr1-xSrxMnO3 system has allowed the extension of the domain of the cubic perovskite, by using a two-step process, combining synthesis under Ar flow at high temperature and O-2 pressure annealing at lower temperature. We show that these Pr-doped cubic perovskites exhibit a coupled structural (cubic-tetragonal) and magnetic (para-antiferro) transition connected with a resistivity jump at the same temperature. The strong interplay between lattice, charges, and spins for these oxides results from the appearance at low temperature of the distorted C-type antiferromagnetic structure. The Pr1-xSrxMnO3 magnetic phase diagram shows, for 0.9 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1 (i.e., on the Mn4+-rich side), the existence at low temperature of C- and G-type antiferromagnetism. The absence of ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic competition explains that magnetoresistante properties are not observed in this system, in contrast to Mn4+-rich Ln(1-x)Ca(x)MnO(3) systems.

Abstract: Strain engineering is an effective way to tune the intrinsic properties of a material. Here, we show by using first-principles calculations that both uniaxial and biaxial tensile strain applied to monolayer TiS3 are able to significantly modify its intrinsic mobility. From the elastic modulus and the phonon dispersion relation we determine the tensile strain range where structure dynamical stability of the monolayer is guaranteed. Within this region, we find more than one order of enhancement of the acoustic phonon limited mobility at 300 K (100 K), i.e. from 1.71 x 10(4) (5.13 x 10(4)) cm(2) V-1 s(-1) to 5.53 x 10(6) (1.66 x 10(6)) cm(2) V-1 s(-1). The degree of anisotropy in both mobility and effective mass can be tuned by using tensile strain. Furthermore, we can either increase or decrease the band gap of TiS3 monolayer by applying strain along different crystal directions. This property allows us to use TiS3 not only in electronic but also in optical applications.

Abstract: This paper presents firm evidence for the chemical alteration of chrome yellow pigments in Van Gogh's Sunflowers (Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam). Noninvasive in situ spectroscopic analysis at several spots on the painting, combined with synchrotron-radiation-based X-ray investigations of two microsamples, revealed the presence of different types of chrome yellow used by Van Gogh, including the lightfast PbCrO4 and the sulfur-rich PbCr1-xSxO4 (x approximate to 0.5) variety that is known for its high propensity to undergo photoinduced reduction. The products of this degradation process, i.e., Cr-III compounds, were found at the interface between the paint and the varnish. Selected locations of the painting with the highest risk of color modification by chemical deterioration of chrome yellow are identified, thus calling for careful monitoring in the future.

Abstract: Red lead, a semiconductor pigment used by artists since antiquity, is known to undergo several discoloration phenomena. These transformations are either described as darkening of the pigment caused by the formation of either plattnerite (β-PbO2) or galena (PbS) or as whitening by which red lead is converted into anglesite (PbSO4) or (hydro)cerussite (2 PbCO3⋅Pb(OH)2; PbCO3). X-ray powder diffraction tomography, a powerful analytical method that allows visualization of the internal distribution of different crystalline compounds in complex samples, was used to investigate a microscopic paint sample from a Van Gogh painting. A very rare lead mineral, plumbonacrite (3 PbCO3⋅ Pb(OH)2⋅PbO), was revealed to be present. This is the first reported occurrence of this compound in a painting dating from before the mid 20th century. It constitutes the missing link between on the one hand the photoinduced reduction of red lead and on the other hand (hydro)cerussite, and thus sheds new light on the whitening of red lead.

Abstract: The surface termination of MXenes greatly determines the electrochemical properties and ion kinetics on their surfaces. So far, hydroxyl-, oxygen-, and fluorine-terminated MXenes have been widely studied for energy storage applications. Recently, sulfur-functionalized MXene structures, which possess low diffusion barriers, have been proposed as candidate materials to enhance battery performance. We performed first-principles calculations on the structural, stability, electrochemical, and ion dynamic properties of Li-adsorbed sulfur-functionalized groups 3B, 4B, 5B, and 6B transition-metal (M)-based MXenes (i.e., M2CS2 with M = Sc, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W). We performed phonon calculations, which indicated that all of the above M2CS2 MXenes, except for Sc, are dynamically stable at T = 0 K. The ground-state structure of each M2CS2 monolayer depends on the type of M atom. For instance, while sulfur prefers to sit at the FCC site on Ti2CS2, it occupies the HCP site of Cr-based MXene. We determined the Li adsorption configurations at different concentrations using the cluster expansion method. The highest maximum open-circuit voltages were computed for the group 4B element (i.e., Ti, Zr, and Hf)-based M2CS2, which are larger than 2.1 V, while their average voltages are approximately 1 V. The maximum voltage for the group 6B element (i.e., Cr, Mo, W)-based M2CS2 is less than 1 V, and the average voltage is less than 0.71 V. We found that S functionalization is helpful for capacity improvements over the O-terminated MXenes. In this respect, the computed storage gravimetric capacity may reach up to 417.4 mAh/g for Ti2CS2 and 404.5 mAh/g for V2CS2. Ta-, Cr-, Mo-, and W-based M2CS2 MXenes show very low capacities, which are less than 100 mAh/g. The Li surface diffusion energy barriers for all of the considered MXenes are less than 0.22 eV, which is favorable for high charging and discharging rates. Finally, ab initio molecular dynamic simulations performed at 400 K and bond-length analysis with respect to Li concentration verify that selected promising systems are robust against thermally induced perturbations that may induce structural transformations or distortions and undesirable Li release.

Abstract: Direct hydroxylation via the functionalization of tertiary benzylic C(sp3)-H bond is of great significance for obtaining tertiary alcohols which find wide applications in pharmaceuticals as well as in fine chemical industries. However, current synthetic procedures use toxic reagents and therefore, the development of a sustainable strategy for the synthesis of tertiary benzyl alcohols is highly desirable. To solve this problem, herein, we report a metal-free
heterogeneous photocatalyst to synthesize the hydroxylated products using oxygen as the key reagent. Various benzylic substrates were employed into our mild reaction conditions to afford the desirable products in good to excellent yields. More importantly, gram-scale reaction was achieved via harvesting direct solar energy and exhibited high quantity of the product. The high stability of the catalyst was proved via recycling the catalyst and spectroscopic analyses. Finally, a possible mechanism was proposed based on the EPR and other experimental
evidence.

Abstract: Perovskite-structured titanates with layered A-site ordering form remarkably complex superstructures. Using transmission electron microscopy, synchrotron X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, and ab initio structure relaxation, we present the structural solution of the incommensurately modulated Li3xNd2/3xTiO3 perovskites (x = 0.05, superspace group Pmmm(α1,1/2,0)000(1/2,β2 0)000, a = 3.831048(5) Å, b = 3.827977(4) Å, c = 7.724356(8) Å, q1 = 0.45131(8)a* + 1/2b*, q2 = 1/2a* + 0.41923(4)b*). In contrast to earlier conjectures on the nanoscale compositional phase separation in these materials, all peculiarities of the superstructure can be understood in terms of displacive modulations related to an intricate octahedral tilting pattern. It involves fragmenting the pattern of the out-of-phase tilted TiO6 octahedra around the a- and b-axes into antiphase domains, superimposed on the pattern of domains with either pronounced or suppressed in-phase tilt component around the c-axis. The octahedral tilting competes with the second order JahnTeller distortion of the TiO6 octahedra. This competition is considered as the primary driving force for the modulated structure. The A cations are suspected to play a role in this modulation affecting it mainly through the tolerance factor and the size variance. The reported crystal structure calls for a revision of the structure models proposed for the family of layered A-site ordered perovskites exhibiting a similar type of modulated structure.

Abstract: Porous metal oxides with nano-sized features attracted intensive interest in recent decades due to their high surface area which is essential for many applications, e.g. Li ion batteries, photocatalysts, fuel cells and dye-sensitized solar cells. Various approaches have so far been investigated to synthesize porous nanostructured metal oxides, including self-assembly and template-assisted synthesis. For the latter approach, forests of carbon nanotubes are considered as particularly promising templates, with respect to their one-dimensional nature and the resulting high surface area. In this work, we systematically investigate the formation of porous metal oxides (Al2O3, TiO2, V2O5 and ZnO) with different morphologies using atomic layer deposition on multi-walled carbon nanotubes followed by post-deposition calcination. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy accompanied by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used for the investigation of morphological and structural transitions at the micro- and nano-scale during the calcination process. The crystallization temperature and the surface coverage of the metal oxides and the oxidation temperature of the carbon nanotubes were found to produce significant influence on the final morphology.