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Author Bhatia, H.; Martin, C.; Keshavarz, M.; Dovgaliuk, I.; Schrenker, N.J.; Ottesen, M.; Qiu, W.; Fron, E.; Bremholm, M.; Van de Vondel, J.; Bals, S.; Roeffaers, M.B.J.; Hofkens, J.; Debroye, E.
Title Deciphering the role of water in promoting the optoelectronic performance of surface-engineered lead halide perovskite nanocrystals Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication ACS applied materials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal
Volume 15 Issue 5 Pages 7294-7307
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Lead halide perovskites are promising candidates for applicability is limited by their structural instability toward moisture. Although a deliberate addition of water to the precursor solution has recently been shown to improve the crystallinity and optical properties of perovskites, the corresponding thin films still do not exhibit a near-unity quantum yield. Herein, we report that the direct addition of a minute amount of water to post-treated substantially enhances the stability while achieving a 95% photoluminescence quantum yield in a NC thin film. We unveil the mechanism of how moisture assists in the formation of an additional NH4Br component. Alongside, we demonstrate the crucial role of moisture in assisting localized etching of the perovskite crystal, facilitating the partial incorporation of NH4+, which is key for improved performance under ambient conditions. Finally, as a proof-of-concept, the application of post-treated and watertreated perovskites is tested in LEDs, with the latter exhibiting a superior performance, offering opportunities toward commercial application in moisture-stable optoelectronics.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000931729400001 Publication Date 2023-01-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1944-8244 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.5 Times cited 3 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes H.B. would like to express her sincere gratitude to Dr. Peter Erk (formerly BASF SE, Germany) for very insightful discussions. The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO grant numbers S002019N, 1514220N, G.0B39.15, G.0B49.15, G098319N, and ZW15_09-GOH6316) , the KU Leuven Research Fund (C14/19/079, iBOF-21-085 PERSIST, and STG/21/010) , the Flemish government through long-term structural funding Methusalem (CASAS2, Meth/15/04) , the Hercules Founda-tion (HER/11/14) , and the ERC through the Marie Curie ITN iSwitch Ph.D. fellowship to H.B. (grant number 642196) . C.M. acknowledges the financial support from grants PID2021-128761OA-C22 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 by the ?European Union? and SBPLY/21/180501/000127 funded by JCCM and by the EU through Fondo Europeo de Desarollo Regional? (FEDER) . Martin Bremholm and Martin Ottesen acknowledge funding from the Danish Council for Independent Research, Natural Sciences, under the Sapere Aude program (grant no. 7027-00077B) and VILLUM FONDEN through the Centre of Excellence for Dirac Materials (grant no. 11744) . Affiliation with the Center for Integrated Materials Research (iMAT) at Aarhus University is gratefully acknowledged.-N.J.S. acknowledges financial support from the research foundation Flanders (FWO) through a postdoctoral fellowship (FWO grant no. 1238622N) . S.B. acknowledges financial support from the European Commission by the ERC Consolidator grant REALNANO (no. 815128) . Approved Most recent IF: 9.5; 2023 IF: 7.504
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:195375 Serial 7293
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Author Yedukondalu, N.; Pandey, T.; Roshan, S.C.R.
Title Effect of hydrostatic pressure on lone pair activity and phonon transport in Bi₂O₂S Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication ACS applied energy materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 6 Issue 4 Pages 2401-2411
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Dibismuth dioxychalcogenides, Bi2O2Ch (Ch = S, Se, Te), are a promising class of materials for next-generation electronics and thermoelectrics due to their ultrahigh carrier mobility and excellent air stability. An interesting member of this family is Bi2O2S, which has a stereochemically active 6s2 lone pair of Bi3+ cations, heterogeneous bonding, and a high mass contrast between its constituent elements. In the present study, we have used first-principles calculations in combination with Boltzmann transport theory to systematically investigate the effect of hydrostatic pressure on lattice dynamics and phonon transport properties of Bi2O2S. We found that the ambient Pnmn phase has a low average lattice thermal conductivity (kappa l) of 1.71 W/(m K) at 300 K. We also predicted that Bi2O2S undergoes a structural phase transition from a low-symmetry (Pnmn) to a high-symmetry (I4/mmm) structure at around 4 GPa due to centering of Bi3+ cations with pressure. Upon compression, the lone pair activity of Bi3+ cations is suppressed, which increases kappa l by almost 3 times to 4.92 W/ (m K) at 5 GPa for the I4/mmm phase. The computed phonon lifetimes and Gru''neisen parameters show that anharmonicity decreases with increasing pressure due to further suppression of the lone pair activity and strengthening of intra-and intermolecular interactions, leading to an average room-temperature kappa l of 12.82 W/(m K) at 20 GPa. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the stereochemical activity of the lone pair of Bi3+ cations and its implications on the phonon transport properties of Bi2O2S.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000929103700001 Publication Date 2023-02-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2574-0962 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:195245 Serial 7300
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Author Soenen, M.; Bacaksiz, C.; Menezes, R.M.; Milošević, M.V.
Title Stacking-dependent topological magnons in bilayer CrI₃ Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Physical review materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 7 Issue 2 Pages 024421-10
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Motivated by the potential of atomically thin magnets towards achieving tunable high-frequency magnonics, we detail the spin-wave dispersion of bilayer CrI3. We demonstrate that the magnonic behavior of the bilayer strongly depends on its stacking configuration and the interlayer magnetic ordering, where a topological band gap opens in the dispersion caused by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya and Kitaev interactions, classifying bilayer CrI3 as a topological magnon insulator. We further reveal that both the size and the topology of the band gap in a CrI3 bilayer with an antiferromagnetic interlayer ordering are tunable by an external magnetic field.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000943169600001 Publication Date 2023-02-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2475-9953 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:195179 Serial 7338
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Author Mulder, J.T.; Meijer, M.S.; van Blaaderen, J.J.; du Fosse, I.; Jenkinson, K.; Bals, S.; Manna, L.; Houtepen, A.J.
Title Understanding and preventing photoluminescence quenching to achieve unity photoluminescence quantum yield in Yb:YLF nanocrystals Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication ACS applied materials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal
Volume 15 Issue 2 Pages 3274-3286
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Ytterbium-doped LiYF4 (Yb:YLF) is a commonly used material for laser applications, as a photon upconversion medium, and for optical refrigeration. As nanocrystals (NCs), the material is also of interest for biological and physical applications. Unfortunately, as with most phosphors, with the reduction in size comes a large reduction of the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), which is typically associated with an increase in surface-related PL quenching. Here, we report the synthesis of bipyramidal Yb:YLF NCs with a short axis of similar to 60 nm. We systematically study and remove all sources of PL quenching in these NCs. By chemically removing all traces of water from the reaction mixture, we obtain NCs that exhibit a near-unity PLQY for an Yb3+ concentration below 20%. At higher Yb3+ concentrations, efficient concentration quenching occurs. The surface PL quenching is mitigated by growing an undoped YLF shell around the NC core, resulting in near-unity PLQY values even for fully Yb3+-based LiYbF4 cores. This unambiguously shows that the only remaining quenching sites in core-only Yb:YLF NCs reside on the surface and that concentration quenching is due to energy transfer to the surface. Monte Carlo simulations can reproduce the concentration dependence of the PLQY. Surprisingly, Fo''rster resonance energy transfer does not give satisfactory agreement with the experimental data, whereas nearest-neighbor energy transfer does. This work demonstrates that Yb3+-based nanophosphors can be synthesized with a quality close to that of bulk single crystals. The high Yb3+ concentration in the LiYbF4/LiYF4 core/shell nanocrystals increases the weak Yb3+ absorption, making these materials highly promising for fundamental studies and increasing their effectiveness in bioapplications and optical refrigeration.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000912997300001 Publication Date 2023-01-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1944-8244 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 9.5 Times cited 3 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 766900 (Testing the Large-Scale Limit of Quantum Mechanics). A.J.H. and I.d.F. further acknowledge the European Research Council Horizon 2020 ERC Grant Agreement No. 678004 (Doping on Demand) for financial support. The authors thank Freddy Rabouw and Andries Meijerink (Utrecht University) for very fruitful discussions and extremely useful advice. The author s thank Jos Thieme for his help with the laser setups used . The authors furthermore thank Niranjan Saikumar for proofreading the manuscript. Approved Most recent IF: 9.5; 2023 IF: 7.504
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:194317 Serial 7348
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Author Yang, C.-Q.; Zhi, R.; Rothmann, M.U.; Xu, Y.-Y.; Li, L.-Q.; Hu, Z.-Y.; Pang, S.; Cheng, Y.-B.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Li, W.
Title Unveiling the intrinsic structure and intragrain defects of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites by ultralow dose transmission electron microscopy Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Advanced materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-9
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful tool for unveiling the structural, compositional, and electronic properties of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) at the atomic to micrometer length scales. However, the structural and compositional instability of OIHPs under electron beam radiation results in misunderstandings of the microscopic structure-property-performance relationship in OIHP devices. Here, ultralow dose TEM is utilized to identify the mechanism of the electron-beam-induced changes in OHIPs and clarify the cumulative electron dose thresholds (critical dose) of different commercially interesting state-of-the-art OIHPs, including methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI(3)), formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI(3)), FA(0.83)Cs(0.17)PbI(3), FA(0.15)Cs(0.85)PbI(3), and MAPb(0.5)Sn(0.5)I(3). The critical dose is related to the composition of the OIHPs, with FA(0.15)Cs(0.85)PbI(3) having the highest critical dose of approximate to 84 e angstrom(-2) and FA(0.83)Cs(0.17)PbI(3) having the lowest critical dose of approximate to 4.2 e angstrom(-2). The electron beam irradiation results in the formation of a superstructure with ordered I and FA vacancies along (c), as identified from the three major crystal axes in cubic FAPbI(3), (c), (c), and (c). The intragrain planar defects in FAPbI(3) are stable, while an obvious modification is observed in FA(0.83)Cs(0.17)PbI(3) under continuous electron beam exposure. This information can serve as a guide for ensuring a reliable understanding of the microstructure of OIHP optoelectronic devices by TEM.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000950461600001 Publication Date 2023-02-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0935-9648 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 29.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 29.4; 2023 IF: 19.791
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:195116 Serial 7349
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Author Verdierre, G.; Gauquelin, N.; Jannis, D.; Birkhölzer, Y.A.; Mallik, S.; Verbeeck, J.; Bibes, M.; Koster, G.
Title Epitaxial growth of the candidate ferroelectric Rashba material SrBiO3by pulsed laser deposition Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication APL materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 3 Pages 031109
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Among oxides, bismuthates have been gaining much interest due to their unique features. In addition to their superconducting properties, they show potential for applications as topological insulators and as possible spin-to-charge converters. After being first investigated in their bulk form in the 1980s, bismuthates have been successfully grown as thin films. However, most efforts have focused on BaBiO<sub>3</sub>, with SrBiO<sub>3</sub>receiving only little attention. Here, we report the growth of epitaxial films of SrBiO<sub>3</sub>on both TiO<sub>2</sub>-terminated SrTiO<sub>3</sub>and NdO-terminated NdScO<sub>3</sub>substrates by pulsed laser deposition. SrBiO<sub>3</sub>has a pseudocubic lattice constant of ∼4.25 Å and grows relaxed on NdScO<sub>3</sub>. Counter-intuitively, it grows with a slight tensile strain on SrTiO<sub>3</sub>despite a large lattice mismatch, which should induce compressive strain. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveals that this occurs as a consequence of structural domain matching, with blocks of 10 SrBiO<sub>3</sub>unit planes matching blocks of 11 SrTiO<sub>3</sub>unit planes. This work provides a framework for the synthesis of high quality perovskite bismuthates films and for the understanding of their interface interactions with homostructural substrates.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000953363800004 Publication Date 2023-03-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2166-532X ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 6.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work received support from the ERC Advanced grant (Grant No. 833973) “FRESCO” and funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program under Grant Agreement No. 823717—ESTEEM3, Van Gogh travel grant, Nuffic, The Netherlands (CF No. 42582SB).; esteem3reported; esteem3TA Approved Most recent IF: 6.1; 2023 IF: 4.335
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:196135 Serial 7377
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Author Benedoue, S.; Benedet, M.; Gasparotto, A.; Gauquelin, N.; Orekhov, A.; Verbeeck, J.; Seraglia, R.; Pagot, G.; Rizzi, G.A.; Balzano, V.; Gavioli, L.; Noto, V.D.; Barreca, D.; Maccato, C.
Title Insights into the Photoelectrocatalytic Behavior of gCN-Based Anode Materials Supported on Ni Foams Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Nanomaterials Abbreviated Journal Nanomaterials-Basel
Volume 13 Issue 6 Pages 1035
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) is a promising n-type semiconductor widely investigated for photo-assisted water splitting, but less studied for the (photo)electrochemical degradation of aqueous organic pollutants. In these fields, attractive perspectives for advancements are offered by a proper engineering of the material properties, e.g., by depositing gCN onto conductive and porous scaffolds, tailoring its nanoscale morphology, and functionalizing it with suitable cocatalysts. The present study reports on a simple and easily controllable synthesis of gCN flakes on Ni foam substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD), and on their eventual decoration with Co-based cocatalysts [CoO, CoFe2O4, cobalt phosphate (CoPi)] via radio frequency (RF)-sputtering or electrodeposition. After examining the influence of processing conditions on the material characteristics, the developed systems are comparatively investigated as (photo)anodes for water splitting and photoelectrocatalysts for the degradation of a recalcitrant water pollutant [potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP)]. The obtained results highlight that while gCN decoration with Co-based cocatalysts boosts water splitting performances, bare gCN as such is more efficient in KHP abatement, due to the occurrence of a different reaction mechanism. The related insights, provided by a multi-technique characterization, may provide valuable guidelines for the implementation of active nanomaterials in environmental remediation and sustainable solar-to-chemical energy conversion.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000960297000001 Publication Date 2023-03-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2079-4991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.3 Times cited 3 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The present work was financially supported by CNR (Progetti di Ricerca @CNR—avviso 2020—ASSIST), Padova University (P-DiSC#04BIRD2020-UNIPD EUREKA, DOR 2020–2022), AMGA Foundation (NYMPHEA project), INSTM Consortium (INSTM21PDGASPAROTTO—NANOMAT, INSTM21PDBARMAC—ATENA) and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 823717—ESTEEM3. The FWO-Hercules fund G0H4316N ‘Direct electron detector for soft matter TEM’ is also acknowledged. Many thanks are also due to Dr. Riccardo Lorenzin for his support to experimental activities.; esteem3reported; esteem3TA Approved Most recent IF: 5.3; 2023 IF: 3.553
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:196115 Serial 7378
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Author Yang, T.; Kong, Y.; Li, K.; Lu, Q.; Wang, Y.; Du, Y.; Schryvers, D.
Title Quasicrystalline clusters transformed from C14-MgZn₂ nanoprecipitates in Al alloys Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Materials characterization Abbreviated Journal
Volume 199 Issue Pages 112772-112777
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Ultrafine faulty C14-MgZn2 Laves phase precipitates containing quasicrystalline clusters and demonstrating the formation of binary quasicrystalline precipitates with Penrose-like random-tiling were observed in the over-aged FCC matrix of a commercial 7N01 Al-Zn-Mg alloy, using high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy. The evolution from C14-Laves phase to quasicrystalline clusters is illustrated, and five-fold symmetry can be found in both real and reciprocal spaces. Our findings reveal the possibility of quasicrystalline formation from Laves phase in a highly plastic metal matrix like Al and demonstrate the structural relationship between Laves phase and quasicrystals.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000954788800001 Publication Date 2023-03-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1044-5803 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.7 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 4.7; 2023 IF: 2.714
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196106 Serial 8446
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Author Tchakoua, T.; Powell, A.D.; Gerrits, N.; Somers, M.F.; Doblhoff-Dier, K.; Busnengo, H.F.; Kroes, G.-J.
Title Simulating highly activated sticking of H₂ on Al(110) : quantum versus quasi-classical dynamics Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal
Volume 127 Issue 11 Pages 5395-5407
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We evaluate the importance of quantum effects on the sticking of H2 on Al(110) for conditions that are close to those of molecular beam experiments that have been done on this system. Calculations with the quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) method and with quantum dynamics (QD) are performed using a model in which only motion in the six molecular degrees of freedom is allowed. The potential energy surface used has a minimum barrier height close to the value recently obtained with the quantum Monte Carlo method. Monte Carlo averaging over the initial rovibrational states allowed the QD calculations to be done with an order of magnitude smaller computational expense. The sticking probability curve computed with QD is shifted to lower energies relative to the QCT curve by 0.21 to 0.05 kcal/mol, with the highest shift obtained for the lowest incidence energy. Quantum effects are therefore expected to play a small role in calculations that would evaluate the accuracy of electronic structure methods for determining the minimum barrier height to dissociative chemisorption for H2 + Al(110) on the basis of the standard procedure for comparing results of theory with molecular beam experiments.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000971346700001 Publication Date 2023-03-14
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447; 1932-7455 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2023 IF: 4.536
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196071 Serial 8525
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Author Samal, D.; Gauquelin, N.; Takamura, Y.; Lobato, I.; Arenholz, E.; Van Aert, S.; Huijben, M.; Zhong, Z.; Verbeeck, J.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Koster, G.
Title Unusual structural rearrangement and superconductivity in infinite layer cuprate superlattices Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Physical review materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 7 Issue 5 Pages 054803
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001041792100007 Publication Date 2023-05-30
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2475-9953 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Air Force Office of Scientific Research; European Office of Aerospace Research and Development, FA8655-10-1-3077 ; Office of Science, DE-AC02-05CH11231 ; National Science Foundation, DMR-1745450 ; Seventh Framework Programme, 278510 ; Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent; Approved Most recent IF: 3.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:196973 Serial 8790
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Author Kavak, S.; Kadu, A.A.; Claes, N.; Sánchez-Iglesias, A.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.; Batenburg, K.J.; Bals, S.
Title Quantitative 3D Investigation of Nanoparticle Assemblies by Volumetric Segmentation of Electron Tomography Data Sets Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication The journal of physical chemistry: C : nanomaterials and interfaces Abbreviated Journal
Volume 127 Issue 20 Pages 9725-9734
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Morphological characterization of nanoparticle assemblies and hybrid nanomaterials is critical in determining their structure-property relationships as well as in the development of structures with desired properties. Electron tomography has become a widely utilized technique for the three-dimensional characterization of nanoparticle assemblies. However, the extraction of quantitative morphological parameters from the reconstructed volume can be a complex and labor-intensive task. In this study, we aim to overcome this challenge by automating the volumetric segmentation process applied to three-dimensional reconstructions of nanoparticle assemblies. The key to enabling automated characterization is to assess the performance of different volumetric segmentation methods in accurately extracting predefined quantitative descriptors for morphological characterization. In our methodology, we compare the quantitative descriptors obtained through manual segmentation with those obtained through automated segmentation methods, to evaluate their accuracy and effectiveness. To show generality, our study focuses on the characterization of assemblies of CdSe/CdS quantum dots, gold nanospheres and CdSe/CdS encapsulated in polymeric micelles, and silica-coated gold nanorods decorated with both CdSe/CdS or PbS quantum dots. We use two unsupervised segmentation algorithms: the watershed transform and the spherical Hough transform. Our results demonstrate that the choice of automated segmentation method is crucial for accurately extracting the predefined quantitative descriptors. Specifically, the spherical Hough transform exhibits superior performance in accurately extracting quantitative descriptors, such as particle size and interparticle distance, thereby allowing for an objective, efficient, and reliable volumetric segmentation of complex nanoparticle assemblies.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000991752700001 Publication Date 2023-05-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1932-7447 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited 2 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 1181122N ; Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, 861950 ; H2020 European Research Council, 815128 ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2023 IF: 4.536
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:196971 Serial 8793
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Author Tampieri, F.; Espona-Noguera, A.; Labay, C.; Ginebra, M.-P.; Yusupov, M.; Bogaerts, A.; Canal, C.
Title Does non-thermal plasma modify biopolymers in solution? A chemical and mechanistic study for alginate Type A1 Journal Article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Biomaterials Science Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract In the last decades, non-thermal plasma has been extensively investigated as a relevant tool for various biomedical applications, ranging from tissue decontamination to regeneration and from skin treatment to tumor therapies. This high versatility is due to the different kinds and amount of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can be generated during a plasma treatment and put in contact with the biological target. Some recent studies report that solutions of biopolymers with the ability to generate hydrogels, when treated with plasma, can enhance the generation of reactive species and influence their stability, resulting thus in the ideal media for indirect treatments of biological targets. The direct effects of the plasma treatment on the structure of biopolymers in water solution, as well as the chemical mechanisms responsible for the enhanced generation of RONS, are not yet fully understood. In this study, we aim at filling this gap by investigating, on the one hand, the nature and extent of the modifications induced by plasma treatment in alginate solutions, and, on the other hand, at using this information to explain the mechanisms responsible for the enhanced generation of reactive species as a consequence of the treatment. The approach we use is twofold: (i) investigating the effects of plasma treatment on alginate solutions, by size exclusion chromatography, rheology and scanning electron microscopy and (ii) study of a molecular model (glucuronate) sharing its chemical structure, by chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and by molecular dynamics simulations. Our results point out the active role of the biopolymer chemistry during direct plasma treatment. Short-lived reactive species, such as OH radicals and O atoms, can modify the polymer structure, affecting its functional groups and causing partial fragmentation. Some of these chemical modifications, like the generation of organic peroxide, are likely responsible for the secondary generation of long-lived reactive species such as hydrogen peroxide and nitrite ions. This is relevant in view of using biocompatible hydrogels as vehicles for storage and delivery reactive species for targeted therapies.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000973699000001 Publication Date 2023-04-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2047-4830 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.6 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca, SGR2022-1368 ; H2020 European Research Council, 714793 ; European Cooperation in Science and Technology, CA19110 CA20114 ; Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación, PID2019-103892RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 ; We thank Gonzalo Rodríguez Cañada and Xavier Solé-Martí (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) for help in collecting some of the experimental data and for the useful discussions. This work has been primarily funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement no. 714793). The authors acknowledge MINECO for PID2019103892RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 project (CC). The authors belong to SGR2022-1368 (FT, AEN, CL, MPG, CC) and acknowledge Generalitat de Catalunya for the ICREA Academia Award for Excellence in Research of CC. We thank also COST Actions CA20114 (Therapeutical Applications of Cold Plasmas) and CA19110 (Plasma Applications for Smart and Sustainable Agriculture) for the stimulating environment provided. Approved Most recent IF: 6.6; 2023 IF: 4.21
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:196773 Serial 8794
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Author Vlasov, E.; Skorikov, A.; Sánchez-Iglesias, A.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.; Verbeeck, J.; Bals, S.
Title Secondary electron induced current in scanning transmission electron microscopy: an alternative way to visualize the morphology of nanoparticles Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication ACS materials letters Abbreviated Journal ACS Materials Lett.
Volume Issue Pages 1916-1921
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Electron tomography (ET) is a powerful tool to determine the three-dimensional (3D) structure of nanomaterials in a transmission electron microscope. However, the acquisition of a conventional tilt series for ET is a time-consuming process and can therefore not provide 3D structural information in a time-efficient manner. Here, we propose surface-sensitive secondary electron (SE) imaging as an alternative to ET for the investigation of the morphology of nanomaterials. We use the SE electron beam induced current (SEEBIC) technique that maps the electrical current arising from holes generated by the emission of SEs from the sample. SEEBIC imaging can provide valuable information on the sample morphology with high spatial resolution and significantly shorter throughput times compared with ET. In addition, we discuss the contrast formation mechanisms that aid in the interpretation of SEEBIC data.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001006191600001 Publication Date 2023-06-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2639-4979 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The funding for this project was provided by European Research Council (ERC Consolidator Grant 815128, REALNANO). J.V. acknowledges the eBEAM project, which is supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 101017720 (FET-Proactive EBEAM). L.M.L.-M. acknowledges funding from MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (grant # PID2020-117779RB-I00). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:197004 Serial 8795
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Author Saniz, R.; Baldinozzi, G.; Arts, I.; Lamoen, D.; Leinders, G.; Verwerft, M.
Title Charge order, frustration relief, and spin-orbit coupling in U3O8 Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Physical review materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 7 Issue 5 Pages 054410
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Research efforts on the description of the low-temperature magnetic order and electronic properties of U3O8 have been inconclusive so far. Reinterpreting neutron scattering results, we use group representation theory to show that the ground state presents collinear out-of-plane magnetic moments, with antiferromagnetic coupling both in-layer and between layers. Charge order relieves the initial geometric frustration, generating a slightly distorted honeycomb sublattice with Néel-type order. The precise knowledge of the characteristics of this magnetic ground state is then used to explain the fine features of the band gap. In this system, spin-orbit coupling (SOC) is of critical importance, as it strongly affects the electronic structure, narrowing the gap by ∼38%, compared to calculations neglecting SOC. The predicted electronic structure actually explains the salient features of recent optical absorption measurements, further demonstrating the excellent agreement between the calculated ground state properties and experiment.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001041429800007 Publication Date 2023-05-31
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2475-9953 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Financial support for this research was partly provided by the Energy Transition Fund of the Belgian FPS Economy (Project SF-CORMOD Spent Fuel CORrosion MODeling).Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek; Vlaams Supercomputer Centrum; Universiteit Antwerpen; Vlaamse regering; Approved Most recent IF: 3.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:197043 Serial 8796
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Author Carrasco, S.; Orcajo, G.; Martínez, F.; Imaz, I.; Kavak, S.; Arenas-Esteban, D.; Maspoch, D.; Bals, S.; Calleja, G.; Horcajada, P.
Title Hf/porphyrin-based metal-organic framework PCN-224 for CO2 cycloaddition with epoxides Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Materials Today Advances Abbreviated Journal
Volume 19 Issue Pages 100390
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Herein, we describe for the first time the synthesis of the highly porous Hf-tetracarboxylate porphyrin-based metal-organic framework (MOF) (Hf)PCN-224(M) (M = H2, Co2+). (Hf)PCN-224(H2) was easily and efficiently prepared following a simple microwave-assisted procedure with good yields (56–67%; space-time yields: 1100–1270 kg m−3·day−1), high crystallinity and phase purity by using trifluoromethanesulfonic acid and benzoic acid as modulators in less than 30 min. By simply introducing a preliminary step (10 min), 5,10,15,20-(tetra-4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin linker (TCPP) was quantitatively metalated with Co2+ without additional purification and/or time consuming protection/deprotection steps to further obtain (Hf)PCN-224(Co). (Hf)PCN-224(Co) was then tested as catalyst in CO2 cycloaddition reaction with different epoxides to yield cyclic carbonates, showing the best catalytic performance described to date compared to other PCNs, under mild conditions (1 bar CO2, room temperature, 18–24 h). Twelve epoxides were tested, obtaining from moderate to excellent conversions (35–96%). Moreover, this reaction was gram scaled-up (x50) without significant loss of yield to cyclic carbonates. (Hf)PCN-224(Co) maintained its integrity and crystallinity even after 8 consecutive runs, and poisoning was efficiently reverted by a simple thermal treatment (175 °C, 6 h), fully recovering the initial catalytic activity.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001025764000001 Publication Date 2023-06-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2590-0498 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 10 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes S.C. acknowledges the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA-COFUND) grant agreement No 754382 (GOT Energy Talent). S.C. and P.H. acknowledge “Comunidad de Madrid” and European Regional Development Fund-FEDER 2014-2020-OE REACT-UE 1 for their financial support to VIRMOF-CM project associated to R&D projects in response to COVID-19. The authors acknowledge H2020-MSCA-ITN-2019 HeatNMof (ref. 860942), the M-ERA-NET C-MOF-cell (grant PCI2020-111998 funded by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR) project, and Retos Investigación MOFSEIDON (grant PID2019-104228RB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033) project. This work has been also supported by the Regional Government of Madrid (Project ACES2030-CM, S2018/EMT-4319) and the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos IMPULSO Project (grant MATER M − 3000). S.K acknowledges the Flemish Fund for Scientific Research (FWO Vlaanderen) through a PhD research grant (1181122 N). Approved Most recent IF: 10; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:197198 Serial 8800
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Author Paulus, A.; Hendrickx, M.; Mayda, S.; Batuk, M.; Reekmans, G.; von Holst, M.; Elen, K.; Abakumov, A.M.; Adriaensens, P.; Lamoen, D.; Partoens, B.; Hadermann, J.; Van Bael, M.K.; Hardy, A.
Title Understanding the Activation of Anionic Redox Chemistry in Ti4+-Substituted Li2MnO3as a Cathode Material for Li-Ion Batteries Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication ACS applied energy materials Abbreviated Journal ACS Appl. Energy Mater.
Volume 6 Issue 13 Pages 6956-6971
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Layered Li-rich oxides, demonstrating both cationic and anionic redox chemistry being used as positive electrodes for Li-ion batteries,have raised interest due to their high specific discharge capacities exceeding 250 mAh/g. However, irreversible structural transformations triggered by anionic redox chemistry result in pronounced voltagefade (i.e., lowering the specific energy by a gradual decay of discharge potential) upon extended galvanostatic cycling. Activating or suppressing oxygen anionic redox through structural stabilization induced by redox-inactivecation substitution is a well-known strategy. However, less emphasishas been put on the correlation between substitution degree and theactivation/suppression of the anionic redox. In this work, Ti4+-substituted Li2MnO3 was synthesizedvia a facile solution-gel method. Ti4+ is selected as adopant as it contains no partially filled d-orbitals. Our study revealedthat the layered “honeycomb-ordered” C2/m structure is preserved when increasing the Ticontent to x = 0.2 in the Li2Mn1-x Ti (x) O-3 solidsolution, as shown by electron diffraction and aberration-correctedscanning transmission electron microscopy. Galvanostatic cycling hintsat a delayed oxygen release, due to an improved reversibility of theanionic redox, during the first 10 charge-discharge cyclesfor the x = 0.2 composition compared to the parentmaterial (x = 0), followed by pronounced oxygen redoxactivity afterward. The latter originates from a low activation energybarrier toward O-O dimer formation and Mn migration in Li2Mn0.8Ti0.2O3, as deducedfrom first-principles molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the“charged” state. Upon lowering the Ti substitution to x = 0.05, the structural stability was drastically improvedbased on our MD analysis, stressing the importance of carefully optimizingthe substitution degree to achieve the best electrochemical performance.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001018266700001 Publication Date 2023-07-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2574-0962 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access: Available from 24.12.2023
Notes Universiteit Hasselt, AUHL/15/2 – GOH3816N ; Russian Science Foundation, 20-43-01012 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, AUHL/15/2 – GOH3816N G040116N ; The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center) and the HPC infrastructure of the University of Antwerp (CalcUA), both funded by the FWO Vlaanderen and the Flemish Government-department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:198160 Serial 8809
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Author Sa, J.; Hu, N.; Heyvaert, W.; Van Gordon, K.; Li, H.; Wang, L.; Bals, S.; Liz-Marzán, L.M.; Ni, W.
Title Spontaneous Chirality Evolved at the Au–Ag Interface in Plasmonic Nanorods Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal Chem. Mater.
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Chiral ligands are considered a required ingredient during the synthesis of dissymmetric plasmonic metal nanocrystals. The mechanism behind the generation of chiral structures involves the formation of high Miller index chiral facets, induced by the adsorption of such chiral ligands. We found however that, chirality can also evolve spontaneously, without the involvement of any chiral ligands, during the co-deposition of Au and Ag on Au nanorods. When using a specific Au/Ag ratio, phase segregation of the two metals leads to an interface within the obtained AuAg shell, which can be exposed by removing the Ag component via oxidative etching. Although a close-to-racemic mixture of chiral Au nanorods with right and left handedness is found in solution, electron tomography analysis evidences left- and righthanded helicities, both at the Au-Ag interface and at the exposed surface of Au NRs after Ag etching. The helicity profile of the NRs indicates dominating inclination angles in a range from 30° to 60°. Single-particle optical characterization also reveals random handedness in the plasmonic response of individual nanorods. We hypothesize that, the origin of chirality is related with symmetry breaking during the co-deposition of Au and Ag, through an initial perturbation in a small region on the Au-Ag interface that eventually leads to chiral segregation throughout the nanocrystal.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001052093300001 Publication Date 2023-08-21
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 OpenAccess
Notes The authors acknowledge the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 22074102). LMLM acknowledges funding from 26 MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and “ESF Investing in your future” (Grant PID2020- 117779RB-I00). This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 823717 – ESTEEM3.; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci?n, PID2020-117779RB-I00 ; H2020 Research Infrastructures, 823717 ; European Social Fund, PID2020-117779RB-I00 ; National Natural Science Foundation of China, 22074102 ; Approved Most recent IF: 8.6; 2023 IF: 9.466
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:198151 Serial 8810
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Author Pandey, T.; Peeters, F.M.; Milošević, M.V.
Title High thermoelectric figure of merit in p-type Mg₃Si₂Te₆: role of multi-valley bands and high anharmonicity Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Journal of materials chemistry C : materials for optical and electronic devices Abbreviated Journal
Volume 11 Issue 33 Pages 11185-11194
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Silicon-based materials are attractive for thermoelectric applications due to their thermal stability, chemical inertness, and natural abundance of silicon. Here, using a combination of first-principles and Boltzmann transport calculations we report the thermoelectric properties of the recently synthesized compound Mg3Si2Te6. Our analysis reveals that Mg3Si2Te6 is a direct bandgap semiconductor with a bandgap of 1.6 eV. The combination of heavy and light valence bands, along with a high valley degeneracy, results in a large power factor under p-type doping. We also find that Mg is weakly bonded both within and between the layers, leading to low phonon group velocities. The vibrations of the Mg atoms are localized and make a significant contribution to phonon-phonon scattering. This high anharmonicity, coupled with low phonon group velocity, results in a low lattice thermal conductivity of & kappa;(l) = 0.5 W m(-1) K-1 at room temperature, along the cross-plane direction. Combining excellent electronic transport properties and low & kappa;(l), p-type Mg3Si2Te6 achieves figure-of-merit (zT) values greater than 1 at temperatures above 600 K. Specifically, a zT of 2.0 is found at 900 K along the cross-plane direction. Our findings highlight the importance of structural complexity and chemical bonding in electronic and phonon transport, providing guiding insights for further design of Si-based thermoelectrics.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001041124900001 Publication Date 2023-07-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2050-7526; 2050-7534 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited 1 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2023 IF: 5.256
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198296 Serial 8821
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Author Arenas Esteban, D.; Pacquets, L.; Choukroun, D.; Hoekx, S.; Kadu, A.A.; Schalck, J.; Daems, N.; Breugelmans, T.; Bals, S.
Title 3D characterization of the structural transformation undergone by Cu@Ag core-shell nanoparticles following CO₂ reduction reaction Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 35 Issue 17 Pages 6682-6691
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Abstract The increasing use of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) is significantly advancing the field of electrocatalysis. In particular, Cu/Ag bimetallic interfaces are widely used to enhance the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO(2)RR) toward CO and, more recently, C-2 products. However, drastic changes in the product distribution and performance when Cu@Ag core-shell configurations are used can often be observed under electrochemical reaction conditions, especially during the first few minutes of the reaction. Possible structural changes that generate these observations remain underexplored; therefore, the structure-property relationship is hardly understood. In this study, we use electron tomography to investigate the structural transformation mechanism of Cu@Ag core-shells NPs during the critical first minutes of the eCO(2)RR. In this manner, we found that the crystallinity of the Cu seed determines whether the formation of a complete and homogeneous Ag shell is possible. Moreover, by tracking the particles' transformations, we conclude that modifications of the Cu-Ag interface and Cu2O enrichment at the surface of the NPs are key factors contributing to the product generation changes. These insights provide a better understanding of how bimetallic core-shell NPs transform under electrochemical conditions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001061530700001 Publication Date 2023-08-31
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0897-4756; 1520-5002 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.6 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes L.P. was supported through a PhD fellowship for strategicbasic research (1S56920N) of the Research Foundation – Flanders(FWO). S.H. was supported through a PhD fellowship for strategic basicresearch (1S42623N) of the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO).S.B., D.A.E., and A.A.K. acknowledge financial support from ERC Consolidator Grant Number 815128 REALNANO. This research was financed by the researchcouncil of the University of Antwerp (BOF-GOA 33928). Approved Most recent IF: 8.6; 2023 IF: 9.466
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199187 Serial 8825
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Author Drăgan, A.-M.; Feier, B.G.; Tertis, M.; Bodoki, E.; Truta, F.; Stefan, M.-G.; Kiss, B.; Van Durme, F.; De Wael, K.; Oprean, R.; Cristea, C.
Title Forensic analysis of synthetic cathinones on nanomaterials-based platforms : chemometric-assisted voltametric and UPLC-MS/MS investigation Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Nanomaterials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 13 Issue 17 Pages 2393-19
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab)
Abstract Synthetic cathinones (SCs) are a group of new psychoactive substances often referred to as “legal highs” or “bath salts”, being characterized by a dynamic change, new compounds continuously emerging on the market. This creates a lack of fast screening tests, making SCs a constant concern for law enforcement agencies. Herein, we present a fast and simple method for the detection of four SCs (alpha-pyrrolidinovalerophenone, N-ethylhexedrone, 4-chloroethcathinone, and 3-chloromethcathinone) based on their electrochemical profiles in a decentralized manner. In this regard, the voltametric characterization of the SCs was performed by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. The elucidation of the SCs redox pathways was successfully achieved using liquid chromatography coupled to (tandem) mass spectrometry. For the rational identification of the ideal experimental conditions, chemometric data processing was employed, considering two critical qualitative and quantitative variables: the type of the electrochemical platform and the pH of the electrolyte. The analytical figures of merit were determined on standard working solutions using the optimized method, which exhibited wide linear ranges and LODs suitable for confiscated sample screening. Finally, the performance of the method was evaluated on real confiscated samples, the resulting validation parameters being similar to those obtained with another portable device (i.e., Raman spectrometer).
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001061205100001 Publication Date 2023-08-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2079-4991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 5.3 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.3; 2023 IF: 3.553
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199221 Serial 8869
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Author Mulder, J.T.T.; Jenkinson, K.; Toso, S.; Prato, M.; Evers, W.H.H.; Bals, S.; Manna, L.; Houtepen, A.J.J.
Title Nucleation and growth of bipyramidal Yb:LiYF₄ nanocrystals : growing up in a hot environment Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 35 Issue 14 Pages 5311-5321
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Lanthanide-doped LiYF4 (Ln:YLF) is commonlyused fora broad variety of optical applications, such as lasing, photon upconversionand optical refrigeration. When synthesized as nanocrystals (NCs),this material is also of interest for biological applications andfundamental physical studies. Until now, it was unclear how Ln:YLFNCs grow from their ionic precursors into tetragonal NCs with a well-defined,bipyramidal shape and uniform dopant distribution. Here, we studythe nucleation and growth of ytterbium-doped LiYF4 (Yb:YLF),as a template for general Ln:YLF NC syntheses. We show that the formationof bipyramidal Yb:YLF NCs is a multistep process starting with theformation of amorphous Yb:YLF spheres. Over time, these spheres growvia Ostwald ripening and crystallize, resulting in bipyramidal Yb:YLFNCs. We further show that prolonged heating of the NCs results inthe degradation of the NCs, observed by the presence of large LiFcubes and small, irregular Yb:YLF NCs. Due to the similarity in chemicalnature of all lanthanide ions our work sheds light on the formationstages of Ln:YLF NCs in general.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001021474500001 Publication Date 2023-07-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0897-4756; 1520-5002 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 8.6 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under Grant Agreement No. 766900 (Testing the large-scale limit of quantum mechanics). The authors thank Niranjan Saikumar for proof reading the manuscript. Approved Most recent IF: 8.6; 2023 IF: 9.466
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197787 Serial 8907
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Author Scandura, G.; Eid, S.; Alnajjar, A.A.; Paul, T.; Karanikolos, G.N.; Shetty, D.; Omer, K.; Alqerem, R.; Juma, A.; Wang, H.; Arafat, H.A.; Dumee, L.F.
Title Photo-responsive metal-organic frameworks – design strategies and emerging applications in photocatalysis and adsorption Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Materials Advances Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue 5 Pages 1258-1285
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Stimuli-responsive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly versatile porous materials with the ability to respond to different external stimuli, including temperature, pressure, pH, and light. The MOF properties can switch reversibly under specific light irradiation, opening the doors to various applications. This review focuses on design strategies to obtain photo-responsive MOFs, namely (i) encapsulation of photo-switchable molecules as guests in MOF porous structures, (ii) fabrication of MOF composites, (iii) post-synthesis modification, and (iv) synthesis of MOFs with photo-responsive ligands. The most recent reports from the literature are herein reviewed and analyzed in terms of material chemistry and performance. Comparisons between the different strategies are performed and future challenges are discussed. The critical aspect of the fatigue of photo-responsive MOFs applied for prolonged cycling of irradiation is also discussed.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000938241000001 Publication Date 2023-02-24
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 OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199418 Serial 8913
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Author Hofer, C.; Mustonen, K.; Skakalova, V.; Pennycook, T.J.
Title Picometer-precision few-tilt ptychotomography of 2D materials Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication 2D materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 10 Issue 3 Pages 035029-7
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract From ripples to defects, edges and grain boundaries, the 3D atomic structure of 2D materials is critical to their properties. However the damage inflicted by conventional 3D analysis precludes its use with fragile 2D materials, particularly for the analysis of local defects. Here we dramatically increase the potential for precise local 3D atomic structure analysis of 2D materials, with both greatly improved dose efficiency and sensitivity to light elements. We demonstrate light atoms can now be located in complex 2D materials with picometer precision at doses 30 times lower than previously possible. Moreover we demonstrate this using WS2, in which the light atoms are practically invisible to conventional methods at low doses. The key advance is combining the concept of few tilt tomography with highly dose efficient ptychography in scanning transmission electron microscopy. We further demonstrate the method experimentally with the even more challenging and newly discovered 2D CuI, leveraging a new extremely high temporal resolution camera.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001013151600001 Publication Date 2023-06-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2053-1583 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.5 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 5.5; 2023 IF: 6.937
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197809 Serial 8915
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gheysen, J.; Kashiwar, A.; Idrissi, H.; Villanova, J.; Simar, A.
Title Suppressing hydrogen blistering in a magnesium-rich healable laser powder bed fusion aluminum alloy analyzed by in-situ high resolution techniques Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Materials & design Abbreviated Journal
Volume 231 Issue Pages 112024-11
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Hydrogen blistering, i.e. precipitation of supersaturated hydrogen at elevated temperatures, increases porosity during heat treatments in 4xxx series Al alloys manufactured by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), as demonstrated by 3D X-ray nano-imaging in AlSi12. This paper proposes the design of a healable Al alloy to suppress hydrogen blistering and improve the damage management. The strategy consists of solute atoms diffusing towards nano-voids and precipitating on their surface, thereby filling the damage sites. A new healable Al alloy was thus developed and successfully manufactured by LPBF. 3D X-ray nano-imaging evidenced that the addition of Mg in 4xxx series Al alloys suppresses the hydrogen blistering. This is expectedly due to Mg in solid solution which increases the hydrogen solubility in the Al matrix and due to the healing of these hydrogen pores. Moreover, a significant healing of voids smaller than 500 nm diameter is observed. In-situ heating inside transmission electron microscopy pointed out that Al matrix diffuses inside the fractured Mg2Si particles, thereby demonstrating the healing ability of the new alloy. This has opened the doors to development of new healable Al alloys manufactured by LPBF as well as to new post-treatments to tailor mechanical properties and microstructure without hydrogen blistering.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001055174900001 Publication Date 2023-05-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0264-1275; 1873-4197 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 8.4; 2023 IF: 4.364
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196536 Serial 8939
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Monico, L.; d'Acapito, F.; Cotte, M.; Janssens, K.; Romani, A.; Ricci, G.; Miliani, C.; Cartechini, L.
Title Total electron yield (TEY) detection mode Cr K-edge XANES spectroscopy as a direct method to probe the composition of the surface of darkened chrome yellow (PbCr1-xSxO4) and potassium chromate paints Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Nuclear instruments and methods in physics research: B: beam interactions with materials and atoms Abbreviated Journal
Volume 539 Issue Pages 141-147
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)
Abstract The darkening of chromate-pigments, including chrome yellows (PbCr1-xSxO4), is a surface phenomenon affecting late 19th-early 20th c. paintings, such as those by Van Gogh. Exploring analytical strategies that contribute to a deep understanding of darkening is therefore significant for the long-term conservation of unique masterpieces. Here, we examined the capabilities of Cr K-edge XANES spectroscopy collected at the same time in X-ray fluorescence yield (XFY) and total electron yield (TEY) detection modes to selectively study the surface composition of darkened oil paint mock-ups composed of chrome yellow (PbCr0.2S0.8O4) or potassium chromate. By discussing advantages and drawbacks in using XFY/TEY modes in relation to XFY & mu;-XANES analysis from sectioned samples, we aim at assessing if TEY-XANES spectroscopy: (i) is a selective surface method to determine the abundance of different Cr-species from paint fragments; (ii) can contribute to optimize the analytical strategy by limiting time consuming sample preparation procedures; (iii) can decrease the probability of radiation damage.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001041485400001 Publication Date 2023-04-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0168-583x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.3 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 1.3; 2023 IF: 1.109
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:198427 Serial 8944
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Soenen, M.; Milošević, M.V.
Title Tunable magnon topology in monolayer CrI₃ under external stimuli Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Physical review materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 7 Issue 8 Pages 084402-84409
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) honeycomb ferromagnets, such as monolayer chromium trihalides, are predicted to behave as topological magnon insulators, characterized by an insulating bulk and topologically protected edge states, giving rise to a thermal magnon Hall effect. Here we report the behavior of the topological magnons in monolayer CrI3 under external stimuli, including biaxial and uniaxial strain, electric gating, as well as in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic field, revealing that one can thereby tailor the magnetic states as well as the size and the topology of the magnonic bandgap. These findings broaden the perspective of using 2D magnetic materials to design topological magnonic devices.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001052941600003 Publication Date 2023-08-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2475-9953 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 3.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.4; 2023 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:199201 Serial 8947
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Author Reyntjens, P.; Van de Put, M.; Vandenberghe, W.G.; Sorée, B.
Title Ultrascaled graphene-capped interconnects : a quantum mechanical study Type P1 Proceeding
Year (down) 2023 Publication Proceedings of the IEEE ... International Interconnect Technology Conference T2 – IEEE International Interconnect Technology Conference (IITC) / IEEE, Materials for Advanced Metallization Conference (MAM), MAY 22-25, 2023, Dresden, Germany Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-3
Keywords P1 Proceeding; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract In this theoretical study, we assess the impact of a graphene capping layer on the resistivity of defective, extremely scaled interconnects. We investigate the effect of graphene capping on the electronic transport in ultrascaled interconnects, in the presence of grain boundary defects in the metal layer. We compare the results obtained using our quantum mechanical model to a simple parallel-conductor model and find that the parallel-conductor model does not capture the effect of the graphene cap correctly. At 0.5 nm metal thickness, the parallel-conductor model underestimates the conductivity by 3.0% to 4.0% for single-sided and double sided graphene capping, respectively.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001027381700006 Publication Date 2023-06-24
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 979-83-503-1097-9 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:198343 Serial 8949
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Author Bhatia, H.; Keshavarz, M.; Martin, C.; Van Gaal, L.; Zhang, Y.; de Coen, B.; Schrenker, N.J.; Valli, D.; Ottesen, M.; Bremholm, M.; Van de Vondel, J.; Bals, S.; Hofkens, J.; Debroye, E.
Title Achieving High Moisture Tolerance in Pseudohalide Perovskite Nanocrystals for Light-Emitting Diode Application Type A1 Journal Article
Year (down) 2023 Publication ACS Applied Optical Materials Abbreviated Journal ACS Appl. Opt. Mater.
Volume 1 Issue 6 Pages 1184-1191
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
Abstract The addition of potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) to the FAPbBr3 structure and subsequent post-treatment of nanocrystals (NCs) lead to high quantum confinement, resulting in a photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) approaching unity and microsecond decay times. This synergistic approach demonstrated exceptional stability under humid conditions, retaining 70% of the PLQY for over a month, while the untreated NCs degrade within 24 h. Additionally, the devices incorporating the post-treated NCs displayed 1.5% external quantum efficiency (EQE), a 5-fold improvement over untreated devices. These results provide promising opportunities for the use of perovskites in moisture-stable optoelectronics.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2023-06-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2771-9855 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Hercules Foundation, HER/11/14 ; European Commission; Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci?n, PID2021-128761OA-C22 ; European Regional Development Fund; Vlaamse regering, CASAS2 Meth/15/04 ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 1238622N 1514220N 1S45223N G.0B39.15 G.0B49.15 G098319N S002019N ZW15_09-GOH6316 ; Onderzoeksraad, KU Leuven, C14/19/079 db/21/006/bm iBOF-21-085 STG/21/010 ; Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, SBPLY/21/180501/000127 ; H2020 European Research Council, 642196 815128 ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:201011 Serial 8975
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Author Mayda, S.; Monico, L.; Krishnan, D.; De Meyer, S.; Cotte, M.; Garrevoet, J.; Falkenberg, G.; Sandu, I.C.A.; Partoens, B.; Lamoen, D.; Romani, A.; Miliani, C.; Verbeeck, J.; Janssens, K.
Title A combined experimental and computational approach to understanding CdS pigment oxidation in a renowned early 20th century painting Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 35 Issue 24 Pages 10403-10415
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Condensed Matter Theory (CMT); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)
Abstract Cadmium sulfide (CdS)-based yellow pigments have been used in a number of early 20th century artworks, including The Scream series painted by Edvard Munch. Some of these unique paintings are threatened by the discoloration of these CdS-based yellow oil paints because of the oxidation of the original sulfides to sulfates. The experimental data obtained here prove that moisture and cadmium chloride compounds play a key role in promoting such oxidation. To clarify how these two factors effectively prompt the process, we studied the band alignment between CdS, CdCl2, and Cd-(OH)Cl as well as the radicals center dot OH and H3O center dot by density functional theory (DFT) methods. Our results show that a stack of several layers of Cd-(OH)Cl creates a pocket of positive holes at the Cl-terminated surface and a pocket of electrons at the OH-terminated surface by leading in a difference in ionization energy at both surfaces. The resulting band alignment indicates that Cd-(OH)Cl can indeed play the role of an oxidative catalyst for CdS in a moist environment, thus providing an explanation for the experimental evidence.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001133000900001 Publication Date 2023-12-08
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0897-4756; 1520-5002 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 8.6 Times cited Open Access
Notes The experimental research on the cadmium yellow powders/paint mock-ups and The Scream (ca. 1910) was financially supported by the European Union, research projects IPERION-CH (H2020-INFRAIA-2014-2015, GA no. 654028) and IPERION-HS (H2020-INFRAIA-2019-1, GA no. 871034) and the project AMIS within the program Dipartimenti di Eccellenza 2018-2022 (funded by MUR and the University of Perugia). For the beamtime grants received, the authors thank the ESRF-ID21 beamline (experiments HG64 and HG95), the DESY-P06 beamline, a member of the Helmholtz Association HGF (experiments I-20130221 EC and I-20160126 EC), and the project CALIPSOplus under the GA no. 730872 from the E.U. Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020. All of the staff of the MUNCH Museum (Conservation Department) is acknowledged for their collaboration. The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center) and the HPC infrastructure of the University of Antwerp (CalcUA), both funded by the FWO – Vlaanderen and the Flemish Government, Department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 8.6; 2023 IF: 9.466
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:202836 Serial 8999
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Author Shevchenko, V.A.; Glazkova, I.S.; Novichkov, D.A.; Skvortsova, I.; V. Sobolev, A.; Abakumov, A.M.; Presniakov, I.A.; Drozhzhin, O.A.; V. Antipov, E.
Title Competition between the Ni and Fe redox in the O3-NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode material for Na-ion batteries Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Chemistry of materials Abbreviated Journal
Volume 35 Issue 10 Pages 4015-4025
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Sodium-ion batteries are attracting great attention due to their low cost and abundance of sodium. The O3-type NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2 layered oxide material is a promising candidate for positive electrodes (cathodes) in Na-ion batteries. However, its stable electrochemical performance is restricted by the upper voltage limit of 4.0 V (vs Na/Na+), which allows for reversibly removing 0.5-0.55 Na+ per formula unit, corresponding to the capacity of 120-130 mAh.g(-1). Further reduction of sodium content inevitably accelerates capacity degradation, and this issue calls for a detailed study of the redox reactions that accompany the electrochemical (de)intercalation of a large amount of sodium. Here, we present operando and ex situ studies using powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with Fe-57 Mossbauer spectroscopy. Our approach reveals the sequence of the redox transitions that occur during the charge and discharge of O3-NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2. Our data show that in addition to nickel and iron cations oxidizing to M+4, a part of iron transforms into the “3 + delta” state owing to the fast electron exchange Fe3+ + Fe4+ <-> Fe4+ + Fe3+. This process freezes upon cooling the material to 35 K, producing Fe4+ cations, some of which occupy tetrahedral positions.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000985970200001 Publication Date 2023-05-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0897-4756; 1520-5002 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.6 Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 8.6; 2023 IF: 9.466
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:197352 Serial 9013
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