“Chemistry of trimethyl aluminum: a spontaneous route to thermally stable 3D crystalline macroporous alumina foams with a hierarchy of pore sizes”. Li Y, Yang X-Y, Tian G, Vantomme A, Yu J, Van Tendeloo G, Su B-L, Chemistry of materials 22, 3251 (2010). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm100491r
Abstract: A simple and spontaneous one-pot self-formation procedure that is easy to scale up has been developed based on the chemistry of trimethylaluminum (TMA), leading to thermally stable macroporous crystalline alumina with a very unique and unprecedented three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical pore structure consisting of well-defined wormlike mesopores. TMA is the precursor of both product and porogene (viz, two working functions within the same molecule (2 in 1)). The materials obtained have been intensively characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), N2 adsorption−desorption, and mercury porosimetry. The open cagelike macrocavities are self-constructed by mesoporous nanorods (diameter of ca. 40−70 nm), which are themselves formed by a random assembly of fibrous nanoparticles 5−6 nm in size. Optical microscopy (OM) has been used in situ to follow the synthesis procedure, which led to the proposal of the formation mechanism. Methane molecules as porogens, which were instantaneously released because of the fast hydrolysis of the chemical precursor, were the key factor in producing these 3D structures with uniform co-continuous macropores that interconnected directly with the wormlike mesopores. The important characteristic of this procedure is the concurrent formation of a multiscaled porous network. The material exhibits great thermal stability. The hierarchically mesoporous−macroporous Al2O3 obtained is quite attractive for a myriad of applications, from catalysis to biomedicine. The present work illustrates that the one-pot self-formation concept, based on the chemistry of alkyl metals, is a versatile method to design industrially valuable hierarchically porous materials.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 38
DOI: 10.1021/cm100491r
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“Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of Srl.31Co0.63Mn0.3703: a reivative of the incommensurate composite hexagonal perovskite structure”. Mandal TK, Abakumov AM, Hadermann J, Van Tendeloo G, Croft M, Greenblatt M, Chemistry of materials 19, 6158 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm071840g
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 5
DOI: 10.1021/cm071840g
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“Enhanced high-temperature electronic transport properties in nanostructured epitaxial thin films of the Lan+1NinO3n+1 Ruddlesden-Popper series (n = 1, 2, 3, ∞)”. Burriel M, Garcia G, Rossell MD, Figueras A, Van Tendeloo G, Santiso J, Chemistry of materials 19, 4056 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm070804e
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 22
DOI: 10.1021/cm070804e
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“[SrF0.8(OH)0.2]2.526[Mn6O12]: columnar rock-salt fragments inside the todorokite-type tunnel structure”. Abakumov AM, Hadermann J, Van Tendeloo G, Kovba ML, Skolis YY, Mudretsova SN, Antipov EV, Volkova OS, Vasiliev AN, Tristan N, Klingeler R, Büchner B, Chemistry of materials 19, 1181 (2007). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm062508s
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1021/cm062508s
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“Coupled cation and charge ordering in the CaMn306 tunnel structure”. Hadermann J, Abakumov AM, Gillie LJ, Martin C, Hervieu M, Chemistry of materials 18, 5530 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm0618998
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 33
DOI: 10.1021/cm0618998
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“Double modulation and microstructure of the thermoelectric misfit compound \left[Ca2-yLnyCu0.7+yCo1.3-yO4\right]\left[CoO2\right]b_{1/b2} (Ln = Pr, Y and 0\leq y\leq1/3)”. Créon N, Pérez O, Hadermann J, Klein Y, Hébert S, Hervieu M, Raveau B, Chemistry of materials 18, 5355 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm061163a
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 6
DOI: 10.1021/cm061163a
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“KNd(MoO4)2: a new incommensurate modulated structure in the scheelite family”. Morozov VA, Arakcheeva AV, Chapuis G, Guiblin N, Rossell MD, Van Tendeloo G, Chemistry of materials 18, 4075 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm0605668
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 46
DOI: 10.1021/cm0605668
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“Sr3Fe5/4Mo3/4O6.9, an n = 2 Ruddlesden-Popper phase: synthesis and properties”. Whaley LW, Lobanov MV, Sheptyakov D, Croft M, Ramanujachary KV, Lofland S, Stephens PW, Her JH, Van Tendeloo G, Rossell M, Greenblatt M;, Chemistry of materials 18, 3448 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm060482z
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 15
DOI: 10.1021/cm060482z
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“Crystal structure and properties of Ru-stoichiometric LaSrMnRuO6”. Bune RO, Lobanov MV, Popov G, Greenblatt M, Botez CE, Stephens PW, Croft M, Hadermann J, Van Tendeloo G, Chemistry of materials 18, 2611 (2006). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm052371q
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 17
DOI: 10.1021/cm052371q
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“First direct imaging of giant pores of the metal-organic framework MIL-101”. Lebedev OI, Millange F, Serre C, Van Tendeloo G, Férey G, Chemistry of materials 17, 6525 (2005). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm051870o
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 191
DOI: 10.1021/cm051870o
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“Transmission electron microscopic study of the defect structure in Sr4Fe6O12+\delta compounds with variable oxygen content”. Rossell MD, Abakumov AM, Van Tendeloo G, Lomakov MV, Istomin SY, Antipov EV, Chemistry and materials 17, 4717 (2005). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm050777x
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 17
DOI: 10.1021/cm050777x
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“Structure and microstructure of epitaxial Sr4Fe6O13-\delta films on SrTiO3”. Rossell MD, Abakumov AM, Van Tendeloo G, Pardo JA, Santiso J, Chemistry and materials 16, 2578 (2004). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm0498234
Abstract: The crystal structure and the microstructure of epitaxial Sr4Fe6O13+/-delta thin films grown on a single-crystal SrTiO3 substrate by PLD have been investigated. A combination of electron diffraction and high-resolution microscopy allows us to refine the structure and to identify an incommensurate modulation in the Sr4Fe6O13+/-delta films. The incommensurate structure (q = alphaa(m)* approximate to 0.39alpha(m)*, superspace group Xmmm(alpha00)0s0) can be interpreted as an oxygen-deficient modification in the Fe2O2.5 double layers. Moreover, it is shown that the experimentally determined a component of the modulation can be used consistently to estimate the local oxygen content in the Sr4Fe6O13+/-delta films. The compound composition can therefore be described as Sr4Fe6O12+2alpha and the value alpha = 0.39 corresponds to a Sr4Fe6O12.78 composition. The misfit stress along the Sr4Fe6O13+/-delta/SrTiO3 interface is accommodated via both elastic deformation and inelastic mechanisms (misfit dislocations and 90degrees rotation twins). The present results also suggest the existence of SrFeO3 perovskite in the Sr4Fe6O13+/-delta films.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 26
DOI: 10.1021/cm0498234
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“Synthesis, cation ordering, and magnetic properties of the (Sb1-xPbx)2(Mn1-ySby)O4 solid solutions with the Sb2MnO4-type structure”. Abakumov AM, Rozova MG, Antipov EV, Hadermann J, Van Tendeloo G, Lobanov MV, Greenblatt M, Croft M, Tsiper EV, Llobet A, Lokshin KA, Zhao Y, Chemistry of materials 17, 1123 (2005). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm048791h
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 16
DOI: 10.1021/cm048791h
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“Sn2-2xSbxFexO4 solid solutions as possible inert anode materials in aluminum electrolysis”. Govorov VA, Abakumov AM, Rozova MG, Borzenko AG, Vassiliev SY, Mazin VM, Afanasov MI, Fabritchnyi PB, Tsirlina GA, Antipov EV, Morozova EN, Gippius AA, Ivanov VV, Van Tendeloo G, Chemistry of materials 17, 3004 (2005). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm048145i
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1021/cm048145i
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“Crystal structure, polymorphism, and properties of the new vanadyl phosphate Na4VO(PO4)2”. Panin RV, Shpanchenko RV, Mironov AV, Velikodny YA, Antipov EV, Hadermann J, Tarnopolsky VA, Yaroslavtsev AB, Kaul EE, Geibel C, Chemistry of materials 16, 1048 (2004). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm0351543
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1021/cm0351543
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“Physicochemical and structural characterization of mesoporous aluminosilicates synthesized from leached saponite with additional aluminum incorporation”. Linssen T, Cassiers K, Cool P, Lebedev O, Whittaker A, Vansant EF, Chemistry of materials 15, 4863 (2003). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm031111a
Abstract: A thorough investigation was performed on the physical (mechanical, thermal, and hydrothermal stability) and chemical (ion exchange capacity and silanol number) characteristics of aluminosilicate FSMs, synthesized via a new successful short-time synthesis route using leached saponite and a low concentration of CTAB. Moreover, the influence of an additional Al incorporation, utilizing different aluminum sources, on the structure of the FSM derived from saponite is studied. A mesoporous aluminosilicate with a low Si/Al ratio of 12.8 is synthesized, and still has a very large surface area of 1130 m(2)/g and pore volume of 0.92 cm(3)/g. The aluminum-containing samples all have a high cation exchange capacity of around 1 mmol/9 while they still have a silanol number of about 0.9 OH/nm(2); both characteristics being interesting for high-yield postsynthesis modification reactions. Finally, a study is performed on the transformation of the aluminosilicates into their Bronsted acid form via the exchange with ammonium ions and a consecutive heat treatment.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 11
DOI: 10.1021/cm031111a
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“Ferroelectric and ionic-conductive properties of nonlinear-optical vanadate, Ca9Bi(VO4)7”. Lazoryak BI, Baryshnikova OV, Stefanovich SY, Malakho AP, Morozov VA, Belik AA, Leonidov IA, Leonidova ON, Van Tendeloo G, Chemistry of materials 15, 3003 (2003). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm031043s
Abstract: Structural, chemical, and physical properties of whitlockite-type Ca9Bi(VO4)(7) were studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), electron diffraction (ED), second-harmonic generation (SHG), thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, dielectric, and electrical-conductivity measurements. A new phase-transition of the ferroelectric type was found in Ca9Bi(VO4)(7) with a transition temperature, T-c of 1053 +/- 3 K. The polar phase, beta-Ca9Bi(VO4)(7), is stable below T-c down to at least 160 K. The centrosymmetric beta'-phase is stable above T-c up to 1273 +/- 5 K. Above 1273 K, it decomposes to give BiVO4 and whitlockite-type solid solutions of Ca9+1.5xBi1-x(VO4)(7). The beta<---->beta' phase transition is reversible and of second order. Electrical conductivity of beta'-Ca9Bi(VO4)(7) is rather high (sigma = 0.6 x 10(-3) S/cm at 1200 K) and obeys the Arrhenius law with an activation energy of 1.0 eV. Structure parameters of Ca9Bi(VO4)(7) are refined by the Rietveld method from XRD data measured at room temperature (space group R3c; Z = 6; a = 10.8992(1) Angstrom, c = 38.1192(4) Angstrom, and V = 3921.6(1) Angstrom(3); R-wp = 3.06% and R-p = 2.36%). Bi3+ ions together with Ca2+ ions are statistically distributed among the M1, M2, M3, and M5 sites. Ca9Bi(VO4)(7) has a SHG efficiency of about 140 times that of quartz. Through the powder SHG measurements, we estimated the nonlinear optical susceptibility, Digital, at about 6.1-7.2 pm/V. This value for Ca9Bi(VO4)(7) is comparable with that for known nonlinear optical materials such as LiNbO3 and LiTaO3.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 51
DOI: 10.1021/cm031043s
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“Novel, oxygen-deficient n=3 RP-member Sr3NdFe3O9-\delta and its topotactic derivatives”. Pelloquin D, Hadermann J, Giot M, Caignaert V, Michel C, Hervieu M, Raveau B, Chemistry of materials 16, 1715 (2004). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm030351n
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 24
DOI: 10.1021/cm030351n
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“Anion rearrangements in fluorinated Nd2CuO3.5”. Corbel G, Attfield JP, Hadermann J, Abakumov AM, Alekseeva AM, Rozova MG, Antipov EV, Chemistry of materials 15, 189 (2003). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm021102m
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 9
DOI: 10.1021/cm021102m
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“Positional and orientational disorder in a solid solution of Sr9-xNi1.5-x(PO4)7 (x=0.3)”. Belik A, Izumi F, Ikeda T, Morozov VA, Dilanian R, Torii S, Kopnin E, Lebedev OI, Van Tendeloo G, Lazoryak BI, Chemistry and materials 14, 4464 (2002). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm0206901
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1021/cm0206901
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“Effect of the substitution Ba\leftrightarrow Sr on the Ga-1222 superstructure : an electron diffraction study”. Milat O, Van Tendeloo G, Amelinckx S, Wright AJ, Greaves C, Chemistry of materials 7, 1709 (1995). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm00057a021
Abstract: The superstructure of the RE(2)(Sr0.85-xBaxNd0.15)(2)GaCU2O9 compound is found to change significantly with increasing substitution of Ba for Sr. Most of the changes take place in the (Sr0.85-xBaxNd0.15)O-GaO-(Sr0.85-xBaxNd0.15)O lamella, the rest of the basic structure being hardly affected. The structural changes for O less than or equal to x less than or equal to 0.65 are studied by electron diffraction. The arrangement of the chains of GaO4 tetrahedra in the Ba-free compound becomes disordered at x > 0.25. At x similar to 0.65 a rearrangement of the chains in the GaO layers takes place; they form a meandering arrangement, which can be described on a 4a(p) x 2a(p) x c(p) superlattice. This rearrangement is accompanied by ordering of Ba and Sr atoms in the adjacent (ST0.85-xBaxNd0.15)O layers. A simple scheme is proposed to explain the influence of the substitution of Ba for Sr on the linking of the GaO4 tetrahedra and on the geometry of the ''chains'' in the GaO layer.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 8.354
DOI: 10.1021/cm00057a021
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“Structural and magnetotransport transitions in the electron-doped Pr1-xSrxMnO3(0.85\leq x\leq1) manganites”. Hervieu M, Martin C, Maignan A, Van Tendeloo G, Jirak Z, Hejtmanek J, Barnabe A, Thopart D, Raveau B, Chemistry and materials 12, 1456 (2000). http://doi.org/10.1021/cm000016o
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.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 9.466
Times cited: 24
DOI: 10.1021/cm000016o
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“Relaxor ferroelectricity and magnetoelectric coupling in ZnOCo nanocomposite thin films : beyond multiferroic composites”. Li DY, Zeng YJ, Batuk D, Pereira LMC, Ye ZZ, Fleischmann C, Menghini M, Nikitenko S, Hadermann J, Temst K, Vantomme A, Van Bael MJ, Locquet JP, Van Haesendonck C;, ACS applied materials and interfaces 6, 4737 (2014). http://doi.org/10.1021/am4053877
Abstract: ZnOCo nanocomposite thin films are synthesized by combination of pulsed laser deposition of ZnO and Co ion implantation. Both superparamagnetism and relaxor ferroelectricity as well as magnetoelectric coupling in the nanocomposites have been demonstrated. The unexpected relaxor ferroelectricity is believed to be the result of the local lattice distortion induced by the incorporation of the Co nanoparticles. Magnetoelectric coupling can be attributed to the interaction between the electric dipole moments and the magnetic moments, which are both induced by the incorporation of Co. The introduced ZnOCo nanocomposite thin films are different from conventional strain-mediated multiferroic composites.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 21
DOI: 10.1021/am4053877
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“Magnetic properties of bcc-Fe(001)/C-60 interfaces for organic spintronics”. Tran TLA, Çakir D, Wong PKJ, Preobrajenski AB, Brocks G, van der Wiel WG, de Jong MP, Acs Applied Materials &, Interfaces 5, 837 (2013). http://doi.org/10.1021/AM3024367
Abstract: The magnetic structure of the interfaces between organic semiconductors and ferromagnetic contacts plays a key role in the spin injection and extraction processes in organic spintronic devices. We present a combined computational (density functional theory) and experimental (X-ray magnetic circular dichroism) study on the magnetic properties of interfaces between bcc-Fe(001) and C-60 molecules. C-60 is an interesting candidate for application in organic spintronics due to the absence of hydrogen atoms and the associated hyperfine fields. Adsorption of C-60 on Fe(001) reduces the magnetic moments on the top Fe layers by similar to 6%, while inducing an antiparrallel magnetic moment of similar to-0.2 mu(B) on C-60. Adsorption of C-60 on a model ferromagnetic substrate consisting of three Fe monolayers on W(001) leads to a different structure but to very similar interface magnetic properties.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 28
DOI: 10.1021/AM3024367
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“Low-dose 4D-STEM tomography for beam-sensitive nanocomposites”. Hugenschmidt M, Jannis D, Kadu AA, Grünewald L, De Marchi S, Perez-Juste J, Verbeeck J, Van Aert S, Bals S, ACS materials letters 6, 165 (2023). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSMATERIALSLETT.3C01042
Abstract: Electron tomography is essential for investigating the three-dimensional (3D) structure of nanomaterials. However, many of these materials, such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), are extremely sensitive to electron radiation, making it difficult to acquire a series of projection images for electron tomography without inducing electron-beam damage. Another significant challenge is the high contrast in high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy that can be expected for nanocomposites composed of a metal nanoparticle and an MOF. This strong contrast leads to so-called metal artifacts in the 3D reconstruction. To overcome these limitations, we here present low-dose electron tomography based on four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) data sets, collected using an ultrafast and highly sensitive direct electron detector. As a proof of concept, we demonstrate the applicability of the method for an Au nanostar embedded in a ZIF-8 MOF, which is of great interest for applications in various fields, including drug delivery.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
DOI: 10.1021/ACSMATERIALSLETT.3C01042
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“Phase transformation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles via thermal annealing : implications for hyperthermia applications”. Crippa F, Rodriguez-Lorenzo L, Hua X, Goris B, Bals S, Garitaonandia JS, Balog S, Burnand D, Hirt AM, Haeni L, Lattuada M, Rothen-Rutishauser B, Petri-Fink A, ACS applied nano materials 2, 4462 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSANM.9B00823
Abstract: Magnetic hyperthermia has the potential to play an important role in cancer therapy and its efficacy relies on the nanomaterials selected. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are excellent candidates due to the ability of producing enough heat to kill tumor cells by thermal ablation. However, their heating properties depend strongly on crystalline structure and size, which may not be controlled and tuned during the synthetic process; therefore, a postprocessing is needed. We show how thermal annealing can be simultaneously coupled with ligand exchange to stabilize the SPIONs in polar solvents and to modify their crystal structure, which improves hyperthermia behavior. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, and lock-in thermography, we systematically investigate the impact of size and ligand exchange procedure on crystallinity, their magnetism, and heating ability. We describe a valid and simple approach to optimize SPIONs for hyperthermia by carefully controlling the size, colloidal stability, and crystallinity.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Times cited: 18
DOI: 10.1021/ACSANM.9B00823
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“Photoluminescence of germanium-vacancy centers in nanocrystalline diamond films : implications for quantum sensing applications”. Joy RM, Pobedinskas P, Bourgeois E, Chakraborty T, Goerlitz J, Herrmann D, Noel C, Heupel J, Jannis D, Gauquelin N, D'Haen J, Verbeeck J, Popov C, Houssiau L, Becher C, Nesladek M, Haenen K, ACS applied nano materials 7, 3873 (2024). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSANM.3C05491
Abstract: Point defects in diamond, promising candidates for nanoscale pressure- and temperature-sensing applications, are potentially scalable in polycrystalline diamond fabricated using the microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (MW PE CVD) technique. However, this approach introduces residual stress in the diamond films, leading to variations in the characteristic zero phonon line (ZPL) of the point defect in diamond. Here, we report the effect of residual stress on germanium-vacancy (GeV) centers in MW PE CVD nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films fabricated using single crystal Ge as the substrate and solid dopant source. GeV ensemble formation indicated by the zero phonon line (ZPL) at similar to 602 nm is confirmed by room temperature (RT) photoluminescence (PL) measurements. PL mapping results show spatial nonuniformity in GeV formation along with other defects, including silicon-vacancy centers in the diamond films. The residual stress in NCD results in shifts in the PL peak positions. By estimating a stress shift coefficient of (2.9 +/- 0.9) nm/GPa, the GeV PL peak position in the NCD film is determined to be between 598.7 and 603.2 nm. A larger ground state splitting due to the strain on a GeV-incorporated NCD pillar at a low temperature (10 K) is also reported. We also report the observation of intense ZPLs at RT that in some cases could be related to low Ge concentration and the surrounding crystalline environment. In addition, we also observe thicker microcrystalline diamond (MCD) films delaminate from the Ge substrate due to film residual stress and graphitic phase at the diamond/Ge substrate interface (confirmed by electron energy loss spectroscopy). Using this approach, a free-standing color center incorporated MCD film with dimensions up to 1 x 1 cm(2) is fabricated. Qualitative analysis using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy reveals the presence of impurities, including Ge and silicon, in the MCD film. Our experimental results will provide insights into the scalability of GeV fabrication using the MW PE CVD technique and effectively implement NCD-based nanoscale-sensing applications.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 5.9
DOI: 10.1021/ACSANM.3C05491
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“La1.5Sr0.5NiMn0.5Ru0.5O6 double perovskite with enhanced ORR/OER bifunctional catalytic activity”. Retuerto M, Calle-Vallejo F, Pascual L, Lumbeeck G, Fernandez-Diaz MT, Croft M, Gopalakrishnan J, Pena MA, Hadermann J, Greenblatt M, Rojas S, ACS applied materials and interfaces 11, 21454 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSAMI.9B02077
Abstract: Perovskites (ABO(3)) with transition metals in active B sites are considered alternative catalysts for the water oxidation to oxygen through the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and for the oxygen reduction through the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) back to water. We have synthesized a double perovskite (A(2)BB'O-6) with different cations in A, B, and B' sites, namely, ((La15Sr0.5)-Sr-.)(A)(Ni0.5Mn0.5)(B)(Ni0.5Ru0.5)(B)O-6 (LSNMR), which displays an outstanding OER/ORR bifunctional performance. The composition and structure of the oxide has been determined by powder X-ray diffraction, powder neutron diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy to be monoclinic with the space group P2(1)/n and with cationic ordering between the ions in the B and B' sites. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy suggests that LSNMR presents a configuration of similar to Ni2+, similar to Mn4+, and similar to Ru5+. This bifunctional catalyst is endowed with high ORR and OER activities in alkaline media, with a remarkable bifunctional index value of similar to 0.83 V (the difference between the potentials measured at -1 mA cm(-2) for the ORR and +10 mA cm(-2) for the OER). The ORR onset potential (E-onset) of 0.94 V is among the best reported to date in alkaline media for ORR-active perovskites. The ORR mass activity of LSNMR is 1.1 A g(-1) at 0.9 V and 7.3 A g(-1) at 0.8 V. Furthermore, LSNMR is stable in a wide potential window down to 0.05 V. The OER potential to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm(-2) is 1.66 V. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the high ORR/OER activity of LSNMR is related to the presence of active Mn sites for the ORR- and Ru-active sites for the OER by virtue of the high symmetry of the respective reaction steps on those sites. In addition, the material is stable to ORR cycling and also considerably stable to OER cycling.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 12
DOI: 10.1021/ACSAMI.9B02077
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“Real-time FO-SPR monitoring of solid-phase DNAzyme cleavage activity for cutting-edge biosensing”. Peeters B, Daems D, Van der Donck T, Delport F, Lammertyn J, ACS applied materials and interfaces 11, 6759 (2019). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSAMI.8B18756
Abstract: DNA nanotechnology has a great potential in biosensor design including nanostructuring of the biosensor surface through DNA origami, target recognition by means of aptamers, and DNA-based signal amplification strategies. In this paper, we use DNA nanotechnology to describe for the first time the concept of real-time solid-phase monitoring of DNAzyme cleavage activity for the detection of specific single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) with a fiber optic surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR) biosensor. Hereto, we first developed a robust ligation strategy for the functionalization of the FO-SPR biosensing surface with ssDNA-tethered gold nanoparticles, serving as the substrate for the DNAzyme. Next, we established a relation between the SPR signal change, due to the cleavage activity of the 10–23 DNAzyme, and the concentration of the DNAzyme, showing faster cleavage kinetics for higher DNAzyme concentrations. Finally, we implemented this generic concept for biosensing of ssDNA target in solution. Hereto, we designed a DNAzyme–inhibitor complex, consisting of an internal loop structure complementary to the ssDNA target, that releases active DNAzyme molecules in a controlled way as a function of the target concentration. We demonstrated reproducible target detection with a theoretical limit of detection of 1.4 nM, proving that the presented ligation strategy is key to a universal DNAzyme-based FO-SPR biosensing concept with promising applications in the medical and agrofood sector.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
DOI: 10.1021/ACSAMI.8B18756
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“Toward an understanding of the electric field-induced electrostatic doping in van der Waals heterostructures : a first-principles study”. Lu AKA, Houssa M, Radu IP, Pourtois G, ACS applied materials and interfaces 9, 7725 (2017). http://doi.org/10.1021/ACSAMI.6B14722
Abstract: Since the discovery of graphene, a broad range of two-dimensional (2D) materials has captured the attention of the scientific communities. Materials, such as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) and the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) family, have shown promising semiconducting and insulating properties that are very appealing for the semiconductor industry. Recently, the possibility of taking advantage of the properties of 2D-based heterostructures has been investigated for low-power nanoelectronic applications. In this work, we aim at evaluating the relation between the nature of the materials used in such heterostructures and the amplitude of the layer-to-layer charge transfer induced by an external electric field, as is typically present in nanoelectronic gated devices. A broad range of combinations of TMDs, graphene, and hBN has been investigated using density functional theory. Our results show that the electric field induced charge transfer strongly depends on the nature of the 2D materials used in the van der Waals heterostructures and to a lesser extent on the relative orientation of the materials in the structure. Our findings contribute to the building of the fundamental understanding required to engineer electrostatically the doping of 2D materials and to establish the factors that drive the charge transfer mechanisms in electron tunneling-based devices. These are key ingredients for the development of 2D -based nanoelectronic devices.
Keywords: A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Impact Factor: 7.504
Times cited: 10
DOI: 10.1021/ACSAMI.6B14722
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