Abstract: MFI zeolite nanosheets with thickness of 2 and 8 nm were synthesized, transformed into bifunctional catalysts by loading with platinum and tested in n-decane isomerization and hydrocracking. Detailed analysis of skeletal isomers and hydrocracked products revealed that the MFI nanosheets display transition-state shape-selectivity similar to bulk MFI zeolite crystals. The suppressed formation of bulky skeletal isomers and C5 cracking products are observed both in the nanosheets and the bulk crystals grown in three dimensions. This is typical for restricted transition-state shape-selectivity, characteristic for the MFI type pores. It is a first clear example of transition-state shape-selectivity inside a zeolitic nanosheet. Owing to the short diffusion path across the sheets, expression of diffusion-based discrimination of reaction products in the MFI nanosheets was limited. The 2-methylnonane formation among monobranched C10 isomers and 2,7-dimethyloctane among dibranched C10 isomers, which in MFI zeolite are favored by product diffusion, was much less favored on the nanosheets compared to the reference bulk ZSM-5 material.

Abstract: Galvanic replacement reactions on metal nanoparticles are often used for the preparation of hollow nanostructures with tunable porosity and chemical composition, leading to tailored optical and catalytic properties. However, the precise interplay between the three-dimensional (3D) morphology and chemical composition of nanostructures during galvanic replacement is not always well understood as the 3D chemical imaging of nanoscale materials is still challenging. It is especially far from straightforward to obtain detailed information from the inside of hollow nanostructures using electron microscopy techniques such as SEM or TEM. We demonstrate here that a combination of state-of-the-art EDX mapping with electron tomography results in the unambiguous determination of both morphology transformation and elemental composition of nanostructures in 3D, during galvanic replacement of Ag nanocubes. This work provides direct and unambiguous experimental evidence toward understanding the galvanic replacement reaction. In addition, the powerful approach presented here can be applied to a wide range of nanoscale transformation processes, which will undoubtedly guide the development of novel nanostructures.

Abstract: Inspired by the concept of living polymerization reaction, we are able to produce silver-gold-silver nanowires with a precise control over their total length and plasmonic properties by establishing a constant silver deposition rate on the tips of penta-twinned gold nanorods used as seed cores. Consequently, the length of the wires increases linearly in time. Starting with approximately 210 nm x 32 nm gold cores, we produce nanowire lengths up to several microns in a highly controlled manner, with a small self-limited increase in thickness of approximately 4 nm, corresponding to aspect ratios above 100, whereas the low polydispersity of the product allows us to detect up to nine distinguishable plasmonic resonances in a single colloidal solution. We analyze the spatial distribution and the nature of the plasmons by electron energy loss spectroscopy and obtain excellent agreement between measurements and electromagnetic simulations, clearly demonstrating that the presence of the gold core plays a marginal role, except for relatively short wires or high-energy modes.

Abstract: Using a combination of high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and atomically resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy in an aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope we demonstrate the possibility of 2D atom by atom valence mapping in the mixed valence compound Mn3O4. The Mn L2,3 energy-loss near-edge structures from Mn2+ and Mn3+ cation sites are similar to those of MnO and Mn2O3 references. Comparison with simulations shows that even though a local interpretation is valid here, intermixing of the inelastic signal plays a significant role. This type of experiment should be applicable to challenging topics in materials science, such as the investigation of charge ordering or single atom column oxidation states in, e.g., dislocations.

Abstract: On several paintings by artists of the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th Century a darkening of the original yellow areas, painted with the chrome yellow pigment (PbCrO4, PbCrO4·xPbSO4, or PbCrO4·xPbO) is observed. The most famous of these are the various Sunflowers paintings Vincent van Gogh made during his career. In the first part of this work, we attempt to elucidate the degradation process of chrome yellow by studying artificially aged model samples. In view of the very thin (1−3 μm) alteration layers that are formed, high lateral resolution spectroscopic methods such as microscopic X-ray absorption near edge (μ-XANES), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μ-XRF), and electron energy loss spectrometry (EELS) were employed. Some of these use synchrotron radiation (SR). Additionally, microscopic SR X-ray diffraction (SR μ-XRD), μ-Raman, and mid-FTIR spectroscopy were employed to completely characterize the samples. The formation of Cr(III) compounds at the surface of the chrome yellow paint layers is particularly observed in one aged model sample taken from a historic paint tube (ca. 1914). About two-thirds of the chromium that is present at the surface has reduced from the hexavalent to the trivalent state. The EELS and μ-XANES spectra are consistent with the presence of Cr2O3·2H2O (viridian). Moreover, as demonstrated by μ-XANES, the presence of another Cr(III) compound, such as either Cr2(SO4)3·H2O or (CH3CO2)7Cr3(OH)2 [chromium(III) acetate hydroxide], is likely.

Abstract: Self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles has been used to prepare hundreds of different colloidal crystals, but almost invariably with the restriction that the particles must be densely packed. Here,we show that non–close-packed nanoparticle arrays can be fabricated through the selective removal of one of two components comprising binary nanoparticle superlattices. First, a variety of binary nanoparticle superlattices were prepared at the liquid-air interface, including several arrangements that were previously unknown. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed the particular role of the liquid in templating the formation of superlattices not achievable through self-assembly in bulk solution. Second, upon stabilization, all of these binary superlattices could be transformed into distinct “nanoallotropes”—nanoporous materials having the same chemical composition but differing in their nanoscale architectures.

Abstract: Welding nanocrystals for assembly: The welding of Au domains grown on the tips of shape-controlled cadmium chalcogenide colloidal nanocrystals is used as a strategy for their assembly. Iodine-induced coagulation of selectively grown Au domains leads to assemblies such as flowerlike structures based on bullet-shaped nanocrystals, linear and cross-linked chains of nanorods, and globular networks with tetrapods as building blocks.

Abstract: Transmission electron microscopy, electrical resistivity measurements and mechanical testing were employed to investigate the evolution of microstructure and functional superelastic properties of 0.1 mm diameter as-drawn NiTi wires subjected to a non-conventional heat treatment by controlled electric pulse currents. This method enables a better control of the recovery and recrystallization processes taking place during the heat treatment and accordingly a better control on the final microstructure. Using a stepwise approach of millisecond pulse annealing, it is shown how the microstructure evolves from a severely deformed state with no functional properties to an optimal nanograined microstructure (2050 nm) that is partially recovered through polygonization and partially recrystallized and that has the best functional properties. Such a microstructure is highly resistant against dislocation slip upon cycling, while microstructures annealed for longer times and showing mostly recrystallized grains were prone to dislocation slip, particularly as the grain size exceeds 200 nm.

Abstract: Two-dimensional atomic crystals can radically change their properties in response to external influences, such as substrate orientation or strain, forming materials with novel electronic structure(1-5). An example is the creation of weakly dispersive, 'flat' bands in bilayer graphene for certain 'magic' angles of twist between the orientations of the two layers(6). The quenched kinetic energy in these flat bands promotes electron-electron interactions and facilitates the emergence of strongly correlated phases, such as superconductivity and correlated insulators. However, the very accurate fine-tuning required to obtain the magic angle in twisted-bilayer graphene poses challenges to fabrication and scalability. Here we present an alternative route to creating flat bands that does not involve fine-tuning. Using scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy, together with numerical simulations, we demonstrate that graphene monolayers placed on an atomically flat substrate can be forced to undergo a buckling transition(7-9), resulting in a periodically modulated pseudo-magnetic field(10-14), which in turn creates a 'post-graphene' material with flat electronic bands. When we introduce the Fermi level into these flat bands using electrostatic doping, we observe a pseudogap-like depletion in the density of states, which signals the emergence of a correlated state(15-17). This buckling of two-dimensional crystals offers a strategy for creating other superlattice systems and, in particular, for exploring interaction phenomena characteristic of flat bands. Buckled monolayer graphene superlattices are found to provide an alternative to twisted bilayer graphene for the study of flat bands and correlated states in a carbon-based material.

Abstract: Nanodiamond from ozone purification (NDO) demonstrates very distinctive properties within the class of detonation nanodiamonds, namely very high acidity and high colloidal stability in a broad pH range. To understand the origin of these unusual properties of NDO, the nature of the surface functional groups formed during detonation soot oxidation by ozone needs to be revealed. In this work, thermal desorption mass spectrometry (TDMS) and IR spectroscopy were used for the identification of surface groups and it was concluded that carboxylic anhydride groups prevail on the NDO surface. On the basis of the temperature profiles of the desorbed volatile products and their mass balance, it is hypothesized that decomposition of carboxylic anhydride groups from NDO during heating proceeds by two different mechanisms. Other distinctive features of NDO in comparison with air-treated nanodiamond are also reported.

Abstract: Electrodeposition is an increasingly important method to synthesize supported nanoparticles, yet the early stages of electrochemical nanoparticle formation are not perfectly understood. In this paper, the early stages of silver nanoparticle electrodeposition on carbon substrates have been studied by aberration-corrected TEM, using carbon-coated TEM grids as electrochemical electrodes. In this manner we have access to as-deposited nanoparticle size distribution and structural characterization at the atomic scale combined with electrochemical measurements, which represents a breakthrough in a full understanding of the nanoparticle electrodeposition mechanisms. Whereas classical models, based upon characterization at the nanoscale, assume that electrochemical growth is only driven by direct attachment, the results reported hereafter indicate that early nanoparticle growth is mostly driven by nanocluster surface movement and aggregation. Hence, we conclude that electrochemical nulceation and growth models should be revised and that an electrochemical aggregative growth mechanism should be considered in the early stages of nanoparticle electrodeposition.