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	Author	Hofer, C.; Gao, C.; Chennit, T.; Yuan, B.; Pennycook, T.J.
	Title	Phase offset method of ptychographic contrast reversal correction			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Ultramicroscopy	Abbreviated Journal	Ultramicroscopy
	Volume		Issue		Pages	113922
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001164447000001	Publication Date	2024-01-08
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0304-3991	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	2.2	Times cited		Open Access	Not_Open_Access
	Notes	FWO, G013122N ; Horizon 2020 Framework Programme; European Research Council, 802123-HDEM ; European Research Council;			Approved	Most recent IF: 2.2; 2024 IF: 2.843
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @c:irua:202379			Serial	8988
Permanent link to this record



	Author	Grünewald, L.; Chezganov, D.; De Meyer, R.; Orekhov, A.; Van Aert, S.; Bogaerts, A.; Bals, S.; Verbeeck, J.
	Title	In Situ Plasma Studies Using a Direct Current Microplasma in a Scanning Electron Microscope			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	Advanced Materials Technologies	Abbreviated Journal	Adv Materials Technologies
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
	Abstract	Microplasmas can be used for a wide range of technological applications and to improve the understanding of fundamental physics. Scanning electron microscopy, on the other hand, provides insights into the sample morphology and chemistry of materials from the mm‐ down to the nm‐scale. Combining both would provide direct insight into plasma‐sample interactions in real‐time and at high spatial resolution. Up till now, very few attempts in this direction have been made, and significant challenges remain. This work presents a stable direct current glow discharge microplasma setup built inside a scanning electron microscope. The experimental setup is capable of real‐time in situ imaging of the sample evolution during plasma operation and it demonstrates localized sputtering and sample oxidation. Further, the experimental parameters such as varying gas mixtures, electrode polarity, and field strength are explored and experimental<italic>V</italic>–<italic>I</italic>curves under various conditions are provided. These results demonstrate the capabilities of this setup in potential investigations of plasma physics, plasma‐surface interactions, and materials science and its practical applications. The presented setup shows the potential to have several technological applications, for example, to locally modify the sample surface (e.g., local oxidation and ion implantation for nanotechnology applications) on the µm‐scale.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001168639900001	Publication Date	2024-02-25
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	2365-709X	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	6.8	Times cited		Open Access	OpenAccess
	Notes	L.G., S.B., and J.V. acknowledge support from the iBOF-21-085 PERsist research fund. D.C., S.V.A., and J.V. acknowledge funding from a TOPBOF project of the University of Antwerp (FFB 170366). R.D.M., A.B., and J.V. acknowledge funding from the Methusalem project of the University of Antwerp (FFB 15001A, FFB 15001C). A.O. and J.V. acknowledge funding from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) project SBO S000121N.			Approved	Most recent IF: 6.8; 2024 IF: NA
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @c:irua:204363			Serial	8995
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	Author	Vandemeulebroucke, D.; Batuk, M.; Hajizadeh, A.; Wastiaux, M.; Roussel, P.; Hadermann, J.
	Title	Incommensurate Modulations and Perovskite Growth in La_xSr_2–xMnO_4−δAffecting Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Conductivity			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	Chemistry of Materials	Abbreviated Journal	Chem. Mater.
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
	Abstract	Ruddlesden-Popper La????Sr2−????MnO4−???? materials are interesting symmetric solid oxide fuel cell electrodes due to their good redox stability, mixed ionic and electronic conducting behavior and thermal expansion that matches well with common electrolytes. In reducing environments – as at a solid oxide fuel cell anode – the x = 0.5 member, i.e. La0.5Sr1.5MnO4−????, has a much higher total conductivity than compounds with a different La/Sr ratio, although all those compositions have the same K2NiF4-type I4/mmm structure. The origin for this conductivity difference is not yet known in literature. Now, a combination of in-situ and ex-situ 3D electron diffraction, high-resolution imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and electron energy-loss spectroscopy uncovered clear differences between x=0.25 and x=0.5 in the pristine structure, as well as in the transformations upon high-temperature reduction. In La0.5Sr1.5MnO4−????, Ruddlesden-Popper n=2 layer defects and an amorphous surface layer are present, but not in La0.25Sr1.75MnO4−????. After annealing at 700°C in 5% H2/Ar, La0.25Sr1.75MnO4−???? transforms to a tetragonal 2D incommensurately modulated structure with modulation vectors ⃗????1 = 0.2848(1) · (⃗????* +⃗????) and ⃗????2 =0.2848(1) · (⃗???? – ⃗????), whereas La0.5Sr1.5MnO4−???? only partially transforms to an orthorhombic 1D incommensurately modulated structure, with ⃗???? = 0.318(2) · ⃗????. Perovskite domains grow at the crystal edge at 700°C in 5% H2 or vacuum, due to the higher La concentration on the surface compared to the bulk, which leads to a different thermodynamic equilibrium. Since it is known that a lower degree of oxygen vacancy ordering and a higher amount of perovskite blocks enhance oxygen mobility, those differences in defect structure and structural transformation upon reduction, might all contribute to the higher conductivity of La0.5Sr1.5MnO4−???? in solid oxide fuel cell anode conditions compared to other La/Sr ratios.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language	English	Wos	001174840900001	Publication Date	2024-02-20
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0897-4756	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	8.6	Times cited		Open Access	Not_Open_Access
	Notes	Universiteit Antwerpen, BOF TOP 38689 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, I003218N ; European Commission NanED, 956099 ;			Approved	Most recent IF: 8.6; 2024 IF: 9.466
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @c:irua:204354			Serial	8997
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	Author	Mychinko, M.
	Title	Advanced Electron Tomography to Investigate the Growth and Stability of Complex Metal Nanoparticles = Geavanceerde Elektronentomografie om de Groei en Stabiliteit van Complexe Metallische Nanodeeltjes te Onderzoeken			Type	Doctoral thesis
	Year	2024	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	227 p.
	Keywords	Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	During the past decades, metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted great attention in materials science due to their specific optical properties based on surface plasmon resonances. Because of these phenomena, plasmonic NPs (or nanoplasmonics) are very promising for application in biosensing, photocatalysts, medicine, data storage, solar energy conversion, etc. Currently, colloidal synthesis techniques enable scientists to routinely produce mono and bimetallic NPs of various shapes, sizes, composition, and elemental distribution, with superior properties for plasmonic applications. Two primary directions for further advancing nanoplasmonic-based technologies include synthesizing novel morphologies, such as highly asymmetric chiral NPs, and gaining deeper insights into the factors affecting the stability of produced nanoplasmonics. With the increasing complexity of nanoplasmonics morphologies and higher stability requirements, there is a pressing need for thorough investigations into their 3D structures and their evolution under different conditions, with high resolution. Electron tomography (ET) emerges as an ideal tool to retrieve shape and element-sensitive information about individual nanoparticles in 3D, achieving resolutions down to the atomic level. Moreover, ET techniques can be combined with in situ holders, enabling detailed studies of processes mimicking real applications of nanoplasmonic-based devices. The first part of this thesis will focus on detailed studies of chiral Au NPs, promising for spectroscopy techniques based on the differential absorption of left- and right-handed circularly polarized light. Specifically, I will discuss the primary strategies for wet-colloidal growth of the various types of intrinsically chiral Au NPs. Advanced ET methods will be demonstrated as powerful tools for characterizing the final helical morphologies of the produced Au NPs and for studying the chiral growth mechanisms by examining intermediate structures obtained during chiral growth. The second part will focus on the heat-induced stability of various Au@Ag core-shell NPs. Operating in real conditions, such as elevated temperatures, may cause particle reshaping and redistribution of metals between the core and shell, gradually altering nanoplasmonics properties. Hence, a thorough understanding of the influence of size, shape, and defects on these processes is crucial for further developments. Recently developed techniques, combining fast ET with in-situ heating holders, have allowed me to evaluate the influence of various parameters (size, shape, defect structure) on heat-induced elemental redistribution in Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles qualitatively and quantitatively. Additionally, I will discuss the prospects of high-resolution ET for visualizing the diffusion of individual atoms within complex nanostructures.
	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:202976			Serial	9001
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	Author	Schram, J.
	Title	Electrochemical sensing strategies for multiple illicit drugs			Type	Doctoral thesis
	Year	2024	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	290 p.
	Keywords	Doctoral thesis; Pharmacology. Therapy; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
	Abstract	Today, illicit drugs are omnipresent in society. Clandestine markets are growing faster than ever before, record amounts of cocaine are seized in seaports and airports, while the associated violence is spiralling out of control. In addition, drug monitoring centres worldwide are warning for the increasing complexity of the drug markets, as the traditionally popular drugs are joined by countless new synthetic variants, while medical drugs are also increasingly being abused. In order to provide services confronted with illicit drug samples (police, customs, forensic scientists, first responders, …) with important information on the identity of an unknown sample, suitable analytical tests are required. While these exist for laboratory environments, on-site applicable tests are important to accelerate the decision-making process. Electrochemical sensors have all the advantages required for such on-site tests: they are fast, portable, easy-to-use and reliable. Furthermore, they are not influenced by colours, which are frequently added to drug samples to deceive the existing tests. Previous work has mainly focussed on the detection of a single drug per analysis. However, many drugs could be encountered due to the diversity of the drug markets. Therefore, this project developed electrochemical strategies for the detection of multiple drugs simultaneously. First, the electrochemical behaviour of the individual drugs was studied in different measuring conditions (assessing the influence of pH, concentration and temperature). Then, all findings and strategies were combined to detect multiple targets simultaneously. An electrochemical sensor was developed for the four most popular drugs at music festivals: cocaine, MDMA, amphetamine and ketamine. This sensor generates a so-called ‘superfingerprint’ of the sample, which is then automatically interpreted by a developed algorithm in order to produce a straightforward output. Finally, a pill analysis sensor was developed in the context of drug checking services, where a consumer can anonymously have a sample chemically analysed to obtain information on the composition, dose and potentially harmful additives. The sensor achieved an outstanding accuracy in identifying the main component and provided the option to quantify, as well as an indication on the presence of other substances in the sample. The project’s findings demonstrate the potential for electrochemistry in illicit drug detection and provide a basis for the development of new sensors, targeting other drug combinations.
	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:203199			Serial	9029
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	Author	Derks, K.; Youchaeva, M.; Van der Snickt, G.; Van der Stighelen, K.; Janssens, K.
	Title	Reconstructing Sweerts : practical insights into the historical dark halo technique based on paint reconstructions			Type	P1 Proceeding
	Year	2024	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	259-271 T2 - Alla maniera : technical art history
	Keywords	P1 Proceeding; Engineering sciences. Technology; Art; Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)
	Abstract
	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	978-90-429-5216-4	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record
	Impact Factor		Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:203062			Serial	9082
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	Author	Van Echelpoel, R.; De Wael, K.
	Title	Voltammetric drug testing makes sense at the border			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Nature Reviews Chemistry	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	1-2
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
	Abstract	The European BorderSens project leverages voltammetric sensors, developed with end-users' input, to rapidly and accurately detect illicit drugs. By embracing practicalities and validation, this technology has the potential to combat the illicit drug problem.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001142000900001	Publication Date	2024-01-12
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	2397-3358	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor		Times cited		Open Access	Not_Open_Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:202646			Serial	9112
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	Author	Chakraborty, J.; Chatterjee, A.; Molkens, K.; Nath, I.; Arenas Esteban, D.; Bourda, L.; Watson, G.; Liu, C.; Van Thourhout, D.; Bals, S.; Geiregat, P.; Van der Voort, P.
	Title	Decoding Excimer Formation in Covalent–Organic Frameworks Induced by Morphology and Ring Torsion			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	Advanced Materials	Abbreviated Journal	Advanced Materials
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
	Abstract	A thorough and quantitative understanding of the fate of excitons in covalent–organic frameworks (COFs) after photoexcitation is essential for their augmented optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications via precise structure tuning. The synthesis of a library of COFs having identical chemical backbone with impeded conjugation, but varied morphology and surface topography to study the effect of these physical properties on the photophysics of the materials is herein reported. The variation of crystallite size and surface topography substantified different aggregation pattern in the COFs, which leads to disparities in their photoexcitation and relaxation properties. Depending on aggregation, an inverse correlation between bulk luminescence decay time and exciton binding energy of the materials is perceived. Further transient absorption spectroscopic analysis confirms the presence of highly localized, immobile, Frenkel excitons (of diameter 0.3–0.5 nm) via an absence of annihilation at high density, most likely induced by structural torsion of the COF skeletons, which in turn preferentially relaxes via long‐lived (nanosecond to microsecond) excimer formation (in femtosecond scale) over direct emission. These insights underpin the importance of structural and topological design of COFs for their targeted use in photocatalysis.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001206226700001	Publication Date	2024-04-22
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0935-9648	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	29.4	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	PVDV, JC, AC, and IN acknowledge the FWO-Vlaanderen for research grant G020521N and the research board of UGent (BOF) through a Concerted Research Action (GOA010-17). JC acknowledges UGent for BOF postdoctoral grant (2022.0032.01). AC acknowledges FWO- Vlaanderen for postdoctoral grant (12T7521N). KM, DVT and PG acknowledges FWO- Vlaanderen for research grant G0B2921N. SB and DAE acknowledge financial support from ERC Consolidator Grant Number 815128 REALNANO. CHL acknowledges China Scholarship Council doctoral grant (201908110280). PVDV acknowledges Hercules Project AUGE/17/07 for the UV VIS DRS spectrometer and UGent BASBOF BOF20/BAS/015 for the powder X-Ray Diffractometer. PG thanks UGent for support of the Core Facility NOLIMITS.			Approved	Most recent IF: 29.4; 2024 IF: 19.791
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @c:irua:205967			Serial	9118
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	Author	Esteban, D.A.; Chamocho, E.G.; Carretero González, J.; Urones Garrote, E.; Otero Díaz, L.C.; Brande, D.Á.
	Title	Enhancing Electrochemical Properties of Walnut Shell Activated Carbon with Embedded MnO Clusters for Supercapacitor Applications			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	Batteries & Supercaps	Abbreviated Journal	Batteries & Supercaps
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
	Abstract	Activated carbon (AC) materials from renewable sources are widely used in electrochemical applications due to their well‐known high surface area. However, their application as electrode material in double‐layer electrochemical devices may be limited due to their relatively low electrical conductivity and lightweight. To overcome these limitations, the incorporation of pseudocapacitance metal oxide nanoparticles is an optimum approach. These nanoparticles can provide a second energy storage mechanism to the composite, mitigating the loss of surface area associated with their incorporation. As a result, the composite material is endowed with increased conductivity and higher density, making it more suitable for practical implementation in real devices. In this study, we have incorporated a fine dispersion of 1 % of MnO clusters into a highly porous activated carbon synthesized from walnut shells (WAC). The high‐resolution electron microscopy studies, combined with their related analytical techniques, allow us to determine the presence of the cluster within the matrix carbon precisely. The resulting MnO@WAC composite demonstrated significantly improved capacitive behavior compared with the WAC material, with increased volumetric capacitance and higher charge retention at higher current densities. The composite‘s electrochemical performance suggests its potential as a promising electrode material for supercapacitors, addressing drawbacks associated with traditional AC materials.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001198179300001	Publication Date	2024-04-08
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	2566-6223	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor		Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	Grants PID2020-112848RB-C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union PRTR funding through projects are acknowledged. Access to the ICTS- CNME for TEM is also acknowledged.			Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @c:irua:205463			Serial	9119
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	Author	Vlasov, E.; Heyvaert, W.; Ni, B.; Van Gordon, K.; Girod, R.; Verbeeck, J.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.; Bals, S.
	Title	High-Throughput Morphological Chirality Quantification of Twisted and Wrinkled Gold Nanorods			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	ACS Nano	Abbreviated Journal	ACS Nano
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
	Abstract	Chirality in gold nanostructures offers an exciting opportunity to tune their differential optical response to left- and right-handed circularly polarized light, as well as their interactions with biomolecules and living matter. However, tuning and understanding such interactions demands quantification of the structural features that are responsible for the chiral behavior. Electron tomography (ET) enables structural characterization at the single-particle level and has been used to quantify the helicity of complex chiral nanorods. However, the technique is time-consuming and consequently lacks statistical value. To address this issue, we introduce herein a high-throughput methodology that combines images acquired by secondary electron-based electron beam-induced current (SEEBIC) with quantitative image analysis. As a result, the geometric chirality of hundreds of nanoparticles can be quantified in less than 1 h. When combining the drastic gain in data collection efficiency of SEEBIC with a limited number of ET data sets, a better understanding of how the chiral structure of individual chiral nanoparticles translates into the ensemble chiroptical response can be reached.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos		Publication Date	2024-04-26
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1936-0851	ISBN		Additional Links
	Impact Factor	17.1	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	The authors acknowledge financial support by the European Research Council (ERC CoG No. 815128 REALNANO to S.B.) and from MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Grant PID2020-117779RB-I00 to L.M.L.-M and FPI Fellowship PRE2021-097588 to K.V.G.). Funded by the European Union under Project 101131111 − DELIGHT, JV acknowledges the eBEAM project supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program FETPROACT-EIC-07- 2020: emerging paradigms and communities.			Approved	Most recent IF: 17.1; 2024 IF: 13.942
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @			Serial	9121
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	Author	Guerrero, R.M.; Lemir, I.D.; Carrasco, S.; Fernández-Ruiz, C.; Kavak, S.; Pizarro, P.; Serrano, D.P.; Bals, S.; Horcajada, P.; Pérez, Y.
	Title	Scaling-Up Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Highly Defective Pd@UiO-66-NH₂Catalysts for Selective Olefin Hydrogenation under Ambient Conditions			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces	Abbreviated Journal	ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
	Abstract	The need to develop green and cost-effective industrial catalytic processes has led to growing interest in preparing more robust, efficient, and selective heterogeneous catalysts at a large scale. In this regard, microwave-assisted synthesis is a fast method for fabricating heterogeneous catalysts (including metal oxides, zeolites, metal–organic frameworks, and supported metal nanoparticles) with enhanced catalytic properties, enabling synthesis scale-up. Herein, the synthesis of nanosized UiO-66-NH2 was optimized via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method to obtain defective matrices essential for the stabilization of metal nanoparticles, promoting catalytically active sites for hydrogenation reactions (760 kg·m–3·day–1 space time yield, STY). Then, this protocol was scaled up in a multimodal microwave reactor, reaching 86% yield (ca. 1 g, 1450 kg·m–3·day–1 STY) in only 30 min. Afterward, Pd nanoparticles were formed in situ decorating the nanoMOF by an effective and fast microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, resulting in the formation of Pd@UiO-66-NH2 composites. Both the localization and oxidation states of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) in the MOF were achieved using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The optimal composite, loaded with 1.7 wt % Pd, exhibited an extraordinary catalytic activity (>95% yield, 100% selectivity) under mild conditions (1 bar H2, 25 °C, 1 h reaction time), not only in the selective hydrogenation of a variety of single alkenes (1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-tridecene, cyclohexene, and tetraphenyl ethylene) but also in the conversion of a complex mixture of alkenes (i.e., 1-hexene, 1-tridecene, and anethole). The results showed a powerful interaction and synergy between the active phase (Pd NPs) and the catalytic porous scaffold (UiO-66-NH2), which are essential for the selectivity and recyclability.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos		Publication Date	2024-04-26
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1944-8244	ISBN		Additional Links
	Impact Factor	9.5	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support from “Comunidad de Madrid” and European Regional Development Fund-FEDER through the project HUB MADRID+CIRCULAR; the State Research Agency (MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033) through the grant with reference number CEX2019-000931-M received in the 2019 call for “Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence” and “María de Maeztu Units of Excellence” of the State Programme for Knowledge Generation and Scientific and Technological Strengthening of the R&D&I System; and MICIU through the project “NAPOLION” (PID2022-139956OB-I00). S.K. acknowledges the Flemish Fund for Scientific Research (FWO Vlaanderen) through a PhD research grant (1181124N).			Approved	Most recent IF: 9.5; 2024 IF: 7.504
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @			Serial	9126
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	Author	Xu, W.; Van Alphen, S.; Galvita, V.V.; Meynen, V.; Bogaerts, A.
	Title	Effect of Gas Composition on Temperature and CO₂Conversion in a Gliding Arc Plasmatron reactor: Insights for Post‐Plasma Catalysis from Experiments and Computation			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	ChemSusChem	Abbreviated Journal	ChemSusChem
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; CO2 conversion · Plasma · Gliding arc plasmatron · Temperature profiles · Computational modelling; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
	Abstract	Plasma‐based CO<sub>2</sub>conversion has attracted increasing interest. However, to understand the impact of plasma operation on post‐plasma processes, we studied the effect of adding N<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub>and N<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub>/H<sub>2</sub>O to a CO<sub>2</sub>gliding arc plasmatron (GAP) to obtain valuable insights into their impact on exhaust stream composition and temperature, which will serve as feed gas and heat for post‐plasma catalysis (PPC). Adding N<sub>2</sub>improves the CO<sub>2</sub>conversion from 4 % to 13 %, and CH<sub>4</sub>addition further promotes it to 44 %, and even to 61 % at lower gas flow rate (6 L/min), allowing a higher yield of CO and hydrogen for PPC. The addition of H<sub>2</sub>O, however, reduces the CO<sub>2</sub>conversion from 55 % to 22 %, but it also lowers the energy cost, from 5.8 to 3 kJ/L. Regarding the temperature at 4.9 cm post‐plasma, N<sub>2</sub>addition increases the temperature, while the CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub>ratio has no significant effect on temperature. We also calculated the temperature distribution with computational fluid dynamics simulations. The obtained temperature profiles (both experimental and calculated) show a decreasing trend with distance to the exhaust and provide insights in where to position a PPC bed.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001200297300001	Publication Date	2024-04-11
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1864-5631	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor	8.4	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	We acknowledge the VLAIO Catalisti Moonshot project D2M and the VLAIO Catalisti transition project CO2PERATE (HBC.2017.0692) for financial support. We acknowledge Gilles Van Loon for his help to make the quartz and steel devices for the reactor. Vladimir V. Galvita also acknowledges a personal grant from the Research Fund of Ghent University (BOF; 01N16319).			Approved	Most recent IF: 8.4; 2024 IF: 7.226
	Call Number	PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:205101			Serial	9128
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	Author	Van Gordon, K.; Ni, B.; Girod, R.; Mychinko, M.; Bevilacqua, F.; Bals, S.; Liz‐Marzán, L.M.
	Title	Single Crystal and Pentatwinned Gold Nanorods Result in Chiral Nanocrystals with Reverse Handedness			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	Angewandte Chemie International Edition	Abbreviated Journal	Angew Chem Int Ed
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
	Abstract	Handedness is an essential attribute of chiral nanocrystals, having a major influence on their properties. During chemical growth, the handedness of nanocrystals is usually tuned by selecting the corresponding enantiomer of chiral molecules involved in asymmetric growth, often known as chiral inducers. We report that, even using the same chiral inducer enantiomer, the handedness of chiral gold nanocrystals can be reversed by using Au nanorod seeds with either single crystalline or pentatwinned structure. This effect holds for chiral growth induced both by amino acids and by chiral micelles. Although it was challenging to discern the morphological handedness for<italic>L</italic>‐cystine‐directed particles, even using electron tomography, both cases showed circular dichroism bands of opposite sign, with nearly mirrored chiroptical signatures for chiral micelle‐directed growth, along with quasi‐helical wrinkles of inverted handedness. These results expand the chiral growth toolbox with an effect that might be exploited to yield a host of interesting morphologies with tunable optical properties.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos		Publication Date	2024-05-24
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1433-7851	ISBN		Additional Links
	Impact Factor	16.6	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	Ana Sánchez-Iglesias is acknowledged for support in the synthesis of pentatwinned gold nanorods. The authors acknowledge financial support by the European Research Council (ERC CoG No. 815128 REALNANO to S.B.), from MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Grant PID2020- 117779RB-I00 to L.M.L.-M and FPI Fellowship PRE2021- 097588 to K.V.G.), and by KU Leuven (C14/22/085). This work has been funded by the European Union under Project 101131111—DELIGHT. Funding for open access charge: Universidade de Vigo/ CRUE-CISUG.			Approved	Most recent IF: 16.6; 2024 IF: 11.994
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @			Serial	9129
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	Author	Chakraborty, J.; Chatterjee, A.; Molkens, K.; Nath, I.; Arenas Esteban, D.; Bourda, L.; Watson, G.; Liu, C.; Van Thourhout, D.; Bals, S.; Geiregat, P.; Van der Voort, P.
	Title	Decoding Excimer Formation in Covalent–Organic Frameworks Induced by Morphology and Ring Torsion			Type	A1 Journal Article
	Year	2024	Publication	Advanced Materials	Abbreviated Journal	Advanced Materials
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
	Abstract	A thorough and quantitative understanding of the fate of excitons in covalent–organic frameworks (COFs) after photoexcitation is essential for their augmented optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications via precise structure tuning. The synthesis of a library of COFs having identical chemical backbone with impeded conjugation, but varied morphology and surface topography to study the effect of these physical properties on the photophysics of the materials is herein reported. The variation of crystallite size and surface topography substantified different aggregation pattern in the COFs, which leads to disparities in their photoexcitation and relaxation properties. Depending on aggregation, an inverse correlation between bulk luminescence decay time and exciton binding energy of the materials is perceived. Further transient absorption spectroscopic analysis confirms the presence of highly localized, immobile, Frenkel excitons (of diameter 0.3–0.5 nm) via an absence of annihilation at high density, most likely induced by structural torsion of the COF skeletons, which in turn preferentially relaxes via long‐lived (nanosecond to microsecond) excimer formation (in femtosecond scale) over direct emission. These insights underpin the importance of structural and topological design of COFs for their targeted use in photocatalysis.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001206226700001	Publication Date	2024-04-22
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0935-9648	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	29.4	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes	PVDV, JC, AC, and IN acknowledge the FWO-Vlaanderen for research grant G020521N and the research board of UGent (BOF) through a Concerted Research Action (GOA010-17). JC acknowledges UGent for BOF postdoctoral grant (2022.0032.01). AC acknowledges FWOVlaanderen for postdoctoral grant (12T7521N). KM, DVT and PG acknowledges FWOVlaanderen for research grant G0B2921N. SB and DAE acknowledge financial support from ERC Consolidator Grant Number 815128 REALNANO. CHL acknowledges China Scholarship Council doctoral grant (201908110280). PVDV acknowledges Hercules Project AUGE/17/07 for the UV VIS DRS spectrometer and UGent BASBOF BOF20/BAS/015 for the powder X-Ray Diffractometer. PG thanks UGent for support of the Core Facility NOLIMITS.			Approved	Most recent IF: 29.4; 2024 IF: 19.791
	Call Number	EMAT @ emat @c:irua:205967			Serial	9130
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	Author	Gao, Y.-J.; Jin, H.; Esteban, D.A.; Weng, B.; Saha, R.A.; Yang, M.-Q.; Bals, S.; Steele, J.A.; Huang, H.; Roeffaers, M.B.J.
	Title	3D-cavity-confined CsPbBr₃ quantum dots for visible-light-driven photocatalytic C(sp³)-H bond activation			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Carbon Energy	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	e559
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	Metal halide perovskite (MHP) quantum dots (QDs) offer immense potential for several areas of photonics research due to their easy and low-cost fabrication and excellent optoelectronic properties. However, practical applications of MHP QDs are limited by their poor stability and, in particular, their tendency to aggregate. Here, we develop a two-step double-solvent strategy to grow and confine CsPbBr3 QDs within the three-dimensional (3D) cavities of a mesoporous SBA-16 silica scaffold (CsPbBr3@SBA-16). Strong confinement and separation of the MHP QDs lead to a relatively uniform size distribution, narrow luminescence, and good ambient stability over 2 months. In addition, the CsPbBr3@SBA-16 presents a high activity and stability for visible-light-driven photocatalytic toluene C(sp(3))-H bond activation to produce benzaldehyde with similar to 730 mu mol g(-1) h(-1) yield rate and near-unity selectivity. Similarly, the structural stability of CsPbBr3@SBA-16 QDs is superior to that of both pure CsPbBr3 QDs and those confined in MCM-41 with 1D channels.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001223583600001	Publication Date	2024-05-16
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	2637-9368	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor		Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:206000			Serial	9133
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	Author	Yang, C.-Q.; Yin, Z.-W.; Li, W.; Cui, W.-J.; Zhou, X.-G.; Wang, L.-D.; Zhi, R.; Xu, Y.-Y.; Tao, Z.-W.; Sang, X.; Cheng, Y.-B.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Hu, Z.-Y.; Su, B.-L.
	Title	Atomically deciphering the phase segregation in mixed halide perovskite			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Advanced functional materials	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	1-10
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	Mixed-halide perovskites show promising applications in tandem solar cells owing to their adjustable bandgap. One major obstacle to their commercialization is halide phase segregation, which results in large open-circuit voltage deficiency and J-V hysteresis. However, the ambiguous interplay between structural origin and phase segregation often results in aimless and unspecific optimization strategies for the device's performance and stability. An atomic scale is directly figured out the abundant Ruddlesden-Popper anti-phase boundaries (RP-APBs) within a CsPbIBr2 polycrystalline film and revealed that phase segregation predominantly occurs at RP-APB-enriched interfaces due to the defect-mediated lattice strain. By compensating their structural lead halide, such RP-APBs are eliminated, and the decreasing of strain can be observed, resulting in the suppression of halide phase segregation. The present work provides the deciphering to precisely regulate the perovskite atomic structure for achieving photo-stable mixed halide wide-bandgap perovskites of high-efficiency tandem solar cell commercial applications. The phase segregation in mixed halide perovskite film predominantly occurs at Ruddlesden-Popper anti-phase boundaries (RP-APBs)-enriched interfaces due to the defect-mediated lattice strain. The RP-APBs defects can be eliminated by compensating for their structural lead halide deficiency, resulting in the suppression of halide phase segregation. image
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001200673300001	Publication Date	2024-04-12
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1616-301x	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	19	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: 19; 2024 IF: 12.124
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:205509			Serial	9134
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	Author	Lelouche, S.N.K.; Lemir, I.; Biglione, C.; Craig, T.; Bals, S.; Horcajada, P.
	Title	AuNP/MIL-88B-NH₂ nanocomposite for the valorization of nitroarene by green catalytic hydrogenation			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Chemistry: a European journal	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	1-10
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	The efficiency of a catalytic process is assessed based on conversion, yield, and time effectiveness. However, these parameters are insufficient for evaluating environmentally sustainable research. As the world is urged to shift towards green catalysis, additional factors such as reaction media, raw material availability, sustainability, waste minimization and catalyst biosafety, need to be considered to accurately determine the efficacy and sustainability of the process. By combining the high porosity and versatility of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and the activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), efficient, cyclable and biosafe composite catalysts can be achieved. Thus, a composite based on AuNPs and the nanometric flexible porous iron(III) aminoterephthalate MIL-88B-NH2 was successfully synthesized and fully characterized. This nanocomposite was tested as catalyst in the reduction of nitroarenes, which were identified as anthropogenic water pollutants, reaching cyclable high conversion rates at short times for different nitroarenes. Both synthesis and catalytic reactions were performed using green conditions, and even further tested in a time-optimizing one-pot synthesis and catalysis experiment. The sustainability and environmental impact of the catalytic conditions were assessed by green metrics. Thus, this study provides an easily implementable synthesis, and efficient catalysis, while minimizing the environmental and health impact of the process.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001204094600001	Publication Date	2024-03-22
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0947-6539	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	4.3	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: 4.3; 2024 IF: 5.317
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:205426			Serial	9135
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	Author	Osorio-Tejada, J.; Escriba-Gelonch, M.; Vertongen, R.; Bogaerts, A.; Hessel, V.
	Title	CO₂ conversion to CO via plasma and electrolysis : a techno-economic and energy cost analysis			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Energy & environmental science	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
	Abstract	Electrification and carbon capture technologies are essential for achieving net-zero emissions in the chemical sector. A crucial strategy involves converting captured CO2 into CO, a valuable chemical feedstock. This study evaluates the feasibility of two innovative methods: plasma activation and electrolysis, using clean electricity and captured CO2. Specifically, it compares a gliding arc plasma reactor with an embedded novel carbon bed system to a modern zero-gap type low-temperature electrolyser. The plasma method stood out with an energy cost of 19.5 GJ per tonne CO, marking a 43% reduction compared to electrolysis and conventional methods. CO production costs for plasma- and electrolysis-based plants were $671 and $962 per tonne, respectively. However, due to high uncertainty regarding electrolyser costs, the CO production costs in electrolysis-based plants may actually range from $570 to $1392 per tonne. The carbon bed system in the plasma method was a key factor in facilitating additional CO generation from O-2 and enhancing CO2 conversion, contributing to its cost-effectiveness. Challenges for electrolysis included high costs of equipment and low current densities. Addressing these limitations could significantly decrease production costs, but challenges arise from the mutual relationship between intrinsic parameters, such as CO2 conversion, CO2 input flow, or energy cost. In a future scenario with affordable feedstocks and equipment, costs could drop below $500 per tonne for both methods. While this may be more challenging for electrolysis due to complexity and expensive catalysts, plasma-based CO production appears more viable and competitive.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001218045900001	Publication Date	2024-05-06
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1754-5692; 1754-5706	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	32.5	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: 32.5; 2024 IF: 29.518
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:205986			Serial	9138
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	Author	Ahmadi Eshtehardi, H.
	Title	Combined computational-experimental study on plasma and plasma catalysis for N2 fixation			Type	Doctoral thesis
	Year	2024	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	160 p.
	Keywords	Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
	Abstract	Humanity feels the urge of shifting to a sustainable society more than at any other time in its history. Electrification of chemical industry plays a key role in this transition. The possibility of producing fertilizers from air using renewable electricity, and simultaneously, no greenhouse gas emission, resulted in an increasing interest toward plasma technology as a solution for electrification of a part of the chemical industry in the past few years. Additionally, the activation of nitrogen molecules by vibrational and electronic excitation reactions in plasma can lead to an energy-efficient process. Last but not least, the modularity (fast on/off characteristic) of plasma technology makes it capable of using intermittent renewable electricity on site for the production of fertilizers using air. All these advantages offered by plasma technology make it a potential solution for the on-site production of fertilizers in small and decentralized plants using air and renewable electricity, which leads to a considerable reduction in fertilizer production and transportation costs. However, industrialization of plasma-based NF suffers from several challenges, including challenges of plasma catalysis for the selective production of desired species, the high energy cost of plasma-based NF compared to current industrial processes, and the design and development of scaled up and energy-efficient plasma reactors for industrial purposes. In the framework of this thesis we have tried to add to the state-of-the-art (SOTA) in plasma-based NOx production and deal with its limitations using a combination of experimental and modelling work.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos		Publication Date	2024-06-14
	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:205246			Serial	9139
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	Author	Yao, W.; Hui, C.; Wang, L.; Wang, J.; Gielis, J.; Shi, P.
	Title	Comparison of the performance of two polar equations in describing the geometries of elliptical fruits			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Botany letters	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Antwerp engineering, PhotoElectroChemistry & Sensing (A-PECS)
	Abstract	In nature, the two-dimensional (2D) profiles of fruits from many plants often resemble ellipses. However, it remains unclear whether these profiles strictly adhere to the ellipse equation, as many natural shapes resembling ellipses are actually better described as superellipses. The superellipse equation, which includes an additional parameter n compared to the ellipse equation, can generate a broader range of shapes, with the ellipse being just a special case of the superellipse. To investigate whether the 2D profiles of fruits are better described by ellipses or superellipses, we collected a total of 751 mature and undamaged fruits from 31 naturally growing plants of Cucumis melo L. var. agrestis Naud. Our analysis revealed that most adjusted root-mean-square errors (> 92% of the 751 fruits) for fitting the superellipse equation to the fruit profiles were consistently less than 0.0165. Furthermore, there were 638 of the 751 fruits (ca. 85%) with the 95% confidence intervals of the estimated parameter n in the superellipse equation not including 2. These findings suggest that the profiles of C. melo var. agrestis fruits align more closely with the superellipse equation than with the ellipse equation. This study provides evidence for the existence of the superellipse in fruit profiles, which has significant implications for studying fruit geometries and estimating fruit volumes using the solid of revolution formula. Furthermore, this discovery may contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms driving the evolution of fruit shapes.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001219634500001	Publication Date	2024-05-08
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	2381-8107; 2381-8115	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	1.5	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: 1.5; 2024 IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:205955			Serial	9140
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	Author	Khan, S.U.; Matshitse, R.; Borah, R.; Nemakal, M.; Moiseeva, E.O.; Dubinina, T.V.; Nyokong, T.; Verbruggen, S.W.; De Wael, K.
	Title	Coupling of phthalocyanines with plasmonic gold nanoparticles by click chemistry for an enhanced singlet oxygen based photoelectrochemical sensing			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	ChemElectroChem	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	1-11
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab); Antwerp engineering, PhotoElectroChemistry & Sensing (A-PECS)
	Abstract	Coupling photosensitizers (PSs) with plasmonic nanoparticles increases the photocatalytic activity of PSs as the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of plasmonic nanoparticles leads to extreme concentration of light in their vicinity known as the near-field enhancement effect. To realize this in a colloidal phase, efficient conjugation of the PS molecules with the plasmonic nanoparticle surface is critical. In this work, we demonstrate the coupling of phthalocyanine (Pc) molecules with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in the colloidal phase via click chemistry. This conjugated Pc-AuNPs colloidal system is shown to enhance the photocatalytic singlet oxygen (1O2) production over non-conjugated Pcs and hence improve the photoelectrochemical detection of phenols. The plasmonic enhancement of the 1O2 generation by Pcs was clearly elucidated by complementary experimental and computational classical electromagnetic models. The dependence of plasmonic enhancement on the spectral position of the excitation laser wavelength and the absorbance of the Pc molecules with respect to the wavelength specific near-field enhancement is clearly demonstrated. A high similar to 8 times enhancement is obtained with green laser (532 nm) at the LSPR due to the maximum near-field enhancement at the resonance wavelength. Zinc phthalocyanine is covalently linked to plasmonic AuNPs via click chemistry to investigate the synergistic effect that boosts the overall activity toward the detection of HQ under visible light illumination. The 1O2 quantum yield of ZnPc improved significantly after conjugating with AuNPs, resulting in enhanced photoelectrochemical activity. image
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001214481000001	Publication Date	2024-05-02
	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
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: 4; 2024 IF: 4.136
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:205962			Serial	9142
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	Author	Cioni, M.; Delle Piane, M.; Polino, D.; Rapetti, D.; Crippa, M.; Arslan Irmak, E.; Pavan, G.M.; Van Aert, S.; Bals, S.
	Title	Data for Sampling Real‐Time Atomic Dynamics in Metal Nanoparticles by Combining Experiments, Simulations, and Machine Learning			Type	Dataset
	Year	2024	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	Dataset; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	Even at low temperatures, metal nanoparticles (NPs) possess atomic dynamics that are key for their properties but challenging to elucidate. Recent experimental advances allow obtaining atomic‐resolution snapshots of the NPs in realistic regimes, but data acquisition limitations hinder the experimental reconstruction of the atomic dynamics present within them. Molecular simulations have the advantage that these allow directly tracking the motion of atoms over time. However, these typically start from ideal/perfect NP structures and, suffering from sampling limits, provide results that are often dependent on the initial/putative structure and remain purely indicative. Here, by combining state‐of‐the‐art experimental and computational approaches, how it is possible to tackle the limitations of both approaches and resolve the atomistic dynamics present in metal NPs in realistic conditions is demonstrated. Annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy enables the acquisition of ten high‐resolution images of an Au NP at intervals of 0.6 s. These are used to reconstruct atomistic 3D models of the real NP used to run ten independent molecular dynamics simulations. Machine learning analyses of the simulation trajectories allows resolving the real‐time atomic dynamics present within the NP. This provides a robust combined experimental/computational approach to characterize the structural dynamics of metal NPs in realistic conditions.
	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:205843			Serial	9143
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	Author	De Luca, F.; Abate, S.; Bogaerts, A.; Centi, G.
	Title	Electrified CO2 conversion : integrating experimental, computational, and process simulation methods for sustainable chemical synthesis			Type	Doctoral thesis
	Year	2024	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	xv, 152 p.
	Keywords	Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
	Abstract	Nowadays, the burning of fossil fuels, particularly petroleum, natural gas, and coal, meets the rising need for power and fuels for automobiles and industries. This has given rise to ecological and climate challenges. This thesis explores these issues from three distinct perspectives: (i) experimental, (ii) computational, and (iii) process simulation, with a focus on studying CO2 as an alternative and economically viable raw material. Firstly, the experimental study is focused on the synthesis, characterization, and testing of novel catalysts for electroreduction of CO2 and oxalic acid, an intermediate product of CO2. Electrocatalysts based on Cu supported by citrus (orange and lemon) peel biomass are prepared. These catalysts exhibit activity in the electrochemical reduction of CO2, emphasizing the effectiveness of biomasses, particularly orange peels, as environmentally friendly precursors for sustainable and efficient electrocatalysts. In addition, graphitic carbon nitrides/TiO2 nanotubes (g-C3N4/TiNT) composites are prepared for the electrocatalytic reduction of oxalic acid to glycolic acid, revealing superior electrocatalytic properties compared to pristine TiNT. Characterization by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electronic microscopy were performed for all the prepared electrocatalysts. Delving into the reduction of CO2 on Cu catalysts, a computational study about the synthesis of methanol on Cu(111) surface is performed by using the Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package. A systematic study is carried out to define the activation energies of the elementary reactions by using mGGA DF. Consequently, it is shown that the rate-controlling step is CH3O* hydrogenation and the formate pathway on Cu(111) proceeds through the HCOOH* intermediate. Finally, the process simulation, performed by using the software Aspen Plus 11 from AspenTech Inc., is based on the comparison of a catalytic (oxidation of ethylene glycol) and an electrocatalytic process (CO2 electroreduction chain) to synthesize glycolic acid. An economic analysis of the operational and investment costs reveals that the catalytic process is more cost-effective due to the current instability of electrocatalysts and proton exchange membranes, resulting in increased maintenance costs and, consequently, higher prices for the product.
	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:205262			Serial	9147
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	Author	Wu, X.; Ding, J.; Cui, W.; Lin, W.; Xue, Z.; Yang, Z.; Liu, J.; Nie, X.; Zhu, W.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Sang, X.
	Title	Enhanced electrical properties of Bi_2-xSb_xTe₃ nanoflake thin films through interface engineering			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Energy & environment materials	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	e12755-8
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	The structure-property relationship at interfaces is difficult to probe for thermoelectric materials with a complex interfacial microstructure. Designing thermoelectric materials with a simple, structurally-uniform interface provides a facile way to understand how these interfaces influence the transport properties. Here, we synthesized Bi2-xSbxTe3 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4) nanoflakes using a hydrothermal method, and prepared Bi2-xSbxTe3 thin films with predominantly (0001) interfaces by stacking the nanoflakes through spin coating. The influence of the annealing temperature and Sb content on the (0001) interface structure was systematically investigated at atomic scale using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Annealing and Sb doping facilitate atom diffusion and migration between adjacent nanoflakes along the (0001) interface. As such it enhances interfacial connectivity and improves the electrical transport properties. Interfac reactions create new interfaces that increase the scattering and the Seebeck coefficient. Due to the simultaneous optimization of electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient, the maximum power factor of the Bi1.8Sb0.2Te3 nanoflake films reaches 1.72 mW m(-1) K-2, which is 43% higher than that of a pure Bi2Te3 thin film.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001204495900001	Publication Date	2024-04-18
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN		ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
	Impact Factor		Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:205438			Serial	9148
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	Author	Vlasov, E.
	Title	Exploiting secondary electrons in transmission electron microscopy for 3D characterization of nanoparticle morphologies			Type	Doctoral thesis
	Year	2024	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	x, 118 p.
	Keywords	Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	Electron tomography (ET) is an indispensable tool for determining the three-dimensional (3D) structure of nanomaterials in (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM). ET enables 3D characterization of a variety of nanomaterials across different fields, including life sciences, chemistry, solid-state physics, and materials science down to atomic resolution. However, the acquisition of a conventional tilt series for ET is a time-consuming process and thus cannot capture fast transformations of materials in realistic conditions. Moreover, only a limited number of nanoparticles (NPs) can be investigated, hampering a general understanding of the average properties of the material. Therefore, alternative characterization techniques that allow for high-resolution characterization of the surface structure without the need to acquire a full tilt series in ET are required which would enable a more time-efficient investigation with better statistical value. In the first part of this work, an alternative technique for the characterization of the morphology of NPs to improve the throughput and temporal resolution of ET is presented. The proposed technique exploits surface-sensitive secondary electron (SE) imaging in STEM employed using a modification of electron beam-induced current (EBIC) setup. The time- and dose efficiency of SEEBIC are tested in comparison with ET and superior spatial resolution is shown compared to conventional scanning electron microscopy. Finally, contrast artefacts arising in SEEBIC images are described, and their origin is discussed. The second part of my thesis focuses on real applications of the proposed technique and introduces a high-throughput methodology that combines images acquired by SEEBIC with quantitative image analysis to retrieve information about the helicity of gold nanorods. It shows that SEEBIC imaging overcomes the limitation of ET providing a general understanding of the connection between structure and chiroptical properties.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos		Publication Date	2024-06-17
	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:204905			Serial	9149
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	Author	Xu, H.; Li, H.; Gauquelin, N.; Chen, X.; Wu, W.-F.; Zhao, Y.; Si, L.; Tian, D.; Li, L.; Gan, Y.; Qi, S.; Li, M.; Hu, F.; Sun, J.; Jannis, D.; Yu, P.; Chen, G.; Zhong, Z.; Radovic, M.; Verbeeck, J.; Chen, Y.; Shen, B.
	Title	Giant tunability of Rashba splitting at cation-exchanged polar oxide interfaces by selective orbital hybridization			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Advanced materials	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	The 2D electron gas (2DEG) at oxide interfaces exhibits extraordinary properties, such as 2D superconductivity and ferromagnetism, coupled to strongly correlated electrons in narrow d-bands. In particular, 2DEGs in KTaO3 (KTO) with 5d t2g orbitals exhibit larger atomic spin-orbit coupling and crystal-facet-dependent superconductivity absent for 3d 2DEGs in SrTiO3 (STO). Herein, by tracing the interfacial chemistry, weak anti-localization magneto-transport behavior, and electronic structures of (001), (110), and (111) KTO 2DEGs, unambiguously cation exchange across KTO interfaces is discovered. Therefore, the origin of the 2DEGs at KTO-based interfaces is dramatically different from the electronic reconstruction observed at STO interfaces. More importantly, as the interface polarization grows with the higher order planes in the KTO case, the Rashba spin splitting becomes maximal for the superconducting (111) interfaces approximately twice that of the (001) interface. The larger Rashba spin splitting couples strongly to the asymmetric chiral texture of the orbital angular moment, and results mainly from the enhanced inter-orbital hopping of the t2g bands and more localized wave functions. This finding has profound implications for the search for topological superconductors, as well as the realization of efficient spin-charge interconversion for low-power spin-orbitronics based on (110) and (111) KTO interfaces. An unambiguous cation exchange is discovered across the interfaces of (001), (110), and (111) KTaO3 2D electron gases fabricated at room temperature. Remarkably, the (111) interfaces with the highest superconducting transition temperature also turn out to show the strongest electron-phonon interaction and the largest Rashba spin splitting. image
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001219658400001	Publication Date	2024-03-13
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	0935-9648	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	29.4	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: 29.4; 2024 IF: 19.791
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:206037			Serial	9152
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	Author	Tsonev, I.; Ahmadi Eshtehardi, H.; Delplancke, M.-P.; Bogaerts, A.
	Title	Importance of geometric effects in scaling up energy-efficient plasma-based nitrogen fixation			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Sustainable energy & fuels	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	1-19
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
	Abstract	Despite the recent promising potential of plasma-based nitrogen fixation, the technology faces significant challenges in efficient upscaling. To tackle this challenge, we investigate two reactors, i.e., a small one, operating in a flow rate range of 5-20 ln min-1 and current range of 200-500 mA, and a larger one, operating at higher flow rate (100-300 ln min-1) and current (400-1000 mA). Both reactors operate in a pin-to-pin configuration and are powered by direct current (DC) from the same power supply unit, to allow easy comparison and evaluate the effect of upscaling. In the small reactor, we achieve the lowest energy cost (EC) of 2.8 MJ mol-1, for a NOx concentration of 1.72%, at a flow rate of 20 ln min-1, yielding a production rate (PR) of 33 g h-1. These values are obtained in air; in oxygen-enriched air, the results are typically better, at the cost of producing oxygen-enriched air. In the large reactor, the higher flow rates reduce the NOx concentration due to lower SEI, while maintaining a similar EC. This stresses the important effect of the geometrical configuration of the arc, which is typically concentrated in the center of the reactor, resulting in limited coverage of the reacting gas flow, and this is identified as the limiting factor for upscaling. However, our experiments reveal that by changing the reactor configuration, and thus the plasma geometry and power deposition mechanisms, the amount of gas treated by the plasma can be enhanced, leading to successful upscaling. To obtain more insights in our experiments, we performed thermodynamic equilibrium calculations. First of all, they show that our measured lowest EC closely aligns with the calculated minimum thermodynamic equilibrium at atmospheric pressure. In addition, they reveal that the limited NOx production in the large reactor results from the contracted nature of the plasma. To solve this limitation, we let the large reactor operate in so-called torch configuration. Indeed, the latter enhances the NOx concentrations compared to the pin-to-pin configuration, yielding a PR of 80 g h-1 at an EC of 2.9 MJ mol-1 and NOx concentration of 0.31%. This illustrates the importance of reactor design in upscaling. With the focus on feasibility evaluation of scaling-up plasma-based nitrogen fixation by combined experiments and thermodynamic modelling, we aim to tackle the challenge of design and development of an energy-efficient and scaled-up plasma reactor.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001203657700001	Publication Date	2024-04-11
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN		ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor		Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:205435			Serial	9155
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	Author	Kummamuru, N.B.
	Title	Methane and hydrogen storage in clathrate hydrates			Type	Doctoral thesis
	Year	2024	Publication		Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	XXV, 260 p.
	Keywords	Doctoral thesis; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp engineering, PhotoElectroChemistry & Sensing (A-PECS)
	Abstract	In a world increasingly reliant on alternative energy sources, the quest for efficient and secure storage solutions is paramount. This doctoral thesis explores the exciting potential of a familiar material – water – to act as a vault for next-generation energy sources like hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4). Nature offers a solution in the form of clathrate hydrates, fascinating cage-like structures formed from water molecules that can trap these gas molecules within their framework. This research investigates on improving the formation kinetics and gas storage capabilities of clathrate hydrates utilizing porous materials and the interstitial space between non-porous materials to augment the contact between gas and water thereby catalysing the growth of hydrates and unlocking their full potential as efficient and secure energy storage reservoirs. A key outcome of this research is the formulation of an empirical correlation, offering predictive insights into CH4 hydrate phase equilibrium conditions. Innovative approaches utilizing thermally conductive beads have yielded substantial enhancements in CH4 uptake. Furthermore, the identification of optimal water content within porous materials showcases a pathway to maximize CH4 storage capacity and hydrate growth kinetics. In the domain of hydrogen storage, attention is also directed towards unstirred systems, where the integration of functionalized porous materials has demonstrated a significant improvement in the rate of hydrate formation and the overall H2 storage capacity. A noteworthy achievement of this research lies in the successful storage of H2 within confined CH4 hydrates through a gas exchange process and the preliminary results show the potential for safer and more sustainable method for H2 storage at mild thermodynamic conditions, offering promising prospects for future energy systems.
	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:206258			Serial	9160
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	Author	Wang, G.; Xie, C.; Wang, H.; Li, Q.; Xia, F.; Zeng, W.; Peng, H.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Tan, G.; Tian, J.; Wu, J.
	Title	Mitigated oxygen loss in lithium-rich manganese-based cathode enabled by strong Zr-O affinity			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	Advanced functional materials	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages	2313672
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
	Abstract	Oxygen loss is a serious problem of lithium-rich layered oxide (LLO) cathodes, as the high capacity of LLO relies on reversible oxygen redox. Oxygen release can occur at the surface leading to the formation of spinel or rock salt structures. Also, the lattice oxygen will usually become unstable after long cycling, which remains a major roadblock in the application of LLO. Here, it is shown that Zr doping is an effective strategy to retain lattice oxygen in LLO due to the high affinity between Zr and O. A simple sol-gel method is used to dope Zr4+ into the LLOs to adjust the local electronic structure and inhibit the diffusion of oxygen anions to the surface during cycling. Compared with untreated LLOs, LLO-Zr cathodes exhibit a higher cycling stability, with 94% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.4 C, up to 223 mAh g-1 at 1 C, and 88% capacity retention after 300 cycles. Theoretical calculations show that due to the strong Zr-O covalent bonding, the formation energy of oxygen vacancies has effectively increased and the loss of lattice oxygen under high voltage can be suppressed. This study provides a simple method for developing high-capacity and cyclability Li-rich cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries. Oxygen release can occur at the cathode surface leading to the formation of spinel or rock salt structures. Here, it is shown that Zr doping is an effective strategy to retain lattice oxygen in lithium-rich layered oxides (LLO) due to the high affinity between Zr and O. LLO-Zr exhibit higher cycling stability, with 88% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 1 C. image
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001159843800001	Publication Date	2024-02-10
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN	1616-301x	ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor	19	Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: 19; 2024 IF: 12.124
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:203812			Serial	9161
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	Author	Long, Y.; Wang, X.; Zhang, H.; Wang, K.; Ong, W.-L.; Bogaerts, A.; Li, K.; Lu, C.; Li, X.; Yan, J.; Tu, X.; Zhang, H.
	Title	Plasma chemical looping : unlocking high-efficiency CO₂ conversion to clean CO at mild temperatures			Type	A1 Journal article
	Year	2024	Publication	JACS Au	Abbreviated Journal
	Volume		Issue		Pages
	Keywords	A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
	Abstract	We propose a plasma chemical looping CO2 splitting (PCLCS) approach that enables highly efficient CO2 conversion into O-2-free CO at mild temperatures. PCLCS achieves an impressive 84% CO2 conversion and a 1.3 mmol g(-1) CO yield, with no O-2 detected. Crucially, this strategy significantly lowers the temperature required for conventional chemical looping processes from 650 to 1000 degrees C to only 320 degrees C, demonstrating a robust synergy between plasma and the Ce0.7Zr0.3O2 oxygen carrier (OC). Systematic experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveil the pivotal role of plasma in activating and partially decomposing CO2, yielding a mixture of CO, O-2/O, and electronically/vibrationally excited CO2. Notably, these excited CO2 species then efficiently decompose over the oxygen vacancies of the OCs, with a substantially reduced activation barrier (0.86 eV) compared to ground-state CO2 (1.63 eV), contributing to the synergy. This work offers a promising and energy-efficient pathway for producing O-2-free CO from inert CO2 through the tailored interplay of plasma and OCs.
	Address
	Corporate Author				Thesis
	Publisher		Place of Publication		Editor
	Language		Wos	001225139200001	Publication Date	2024-05-08
	Series Editor		Series Title		Abbreviated Series Title
	Series Volume		Series Issue		Edition
	ISSN		ISBN		Additional Links	UA library record; WoS full record
	Impact Factor		Times cited		Open Access
	Notes				Approved	Most recent IF: NA
	Call Number	UA @ admin @ c:irua:205970			Serial	9166
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