|   | 
Details
   web
Records
Author Taghizadeh Sisakht, E.
Title Tight-binding investigation of the electronic properties of phosphorene and phosphorene nanoribbons Type Doctoral thesis
Year (up) 2019 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 150 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract abstract not available
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 no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:166195 Serial 8670
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Grunert, O.; Robles-Aguilar, A.A.; Hernandez-Sanabria, E.; Schrey, S.D.; Reheul, D.; Van Labeke, M.-C.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Vanderkerckhove, T.G.L.; Mysara, M.; Monsieurs, P.; Temperton, V.M.; Boon, N.; Jablonowski, N.D.
Title Tomato plants rather than fertilizers drive microbial community structure in horticultural growing media Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2019 Publication Scientific reports Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue Pages 9561
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Synthetic fertilizer production is associated with a high environmental footprint, as compounds typically dissolve rapidly leaching emissions to the atmosphere or surface waters. We tested two recovered nutrients with slower release patterns, as promising alternatives for synthetic fertilizers: struvite and a commercially available organic fertilizer. Using these fertilizers as nitrogen source, we conducted a rhizotron experiment to test their effect on plant performance and nutrient recovery in juvenile tomato plants. Plant performance was significantly improved when organic fertilizer was provided, promoting higher shoot biomass. Since the microbial community influences plant nitrogen availability, we characterized the root-associated microbial community structure and functionality. Analyses revealed distinct root microbial community structure when different fertilizers were supplied. However, plant presence significantly increased the similarity of the microbial community over time, regardless of fertilization. Additionally, the presence of the plant significantly reduced the potential ammonia oxidation rates, implying a possible role of the rhizosheath microbiome or nitrification inhibition by the plant. Our results indicate that nitrifying community members are impacted by the type of fertilizer used, while tomato plants influenced the potential ammonia-oxidizing activity of nitrogen-related rhizospheric microbial communities. These novel insights on interactions between recovered fertilizers, plant and associated microbes can contribute to develop sustainable crop production systems.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000473418000003 Publication Date 2019-07-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2045-2322 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:160582 Serial 8674
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Christiaens, M.E.R.; De Paepe, J.; Ilgrande, C.; De Vrieze, J.; Barys, J.; Teirlinck, P.; Meerbergen, K.; Lievens, B.; Boon, N.; Clauwaert, P.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Urine nitrification with a synthetic microbial community Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2019 Publication Systematic and applied microbiology Abbreviated Journal
Volume 42 Issue 6 Pages Unsp 126021
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract During long-term extra-terrestrial missions, food is limited and waste is generated. By recycling valuable nutrients from this waste via regenerative life support systems, food can be produced in space. Astronauts' urine can, for instance, be nitrified by micro-organisms into a liquid nitrate fertilizer for plant growth in space. Due to stringent conditions in space, microbial communities need to be be defined (gnotobiotic); therefore, synthetic rather than mixed microbial communities are preferred. For urine nitrification, synthetic communities face challenges, such as from salinity, ureolysis, and organics. In this study, a synthetic microbial community containing an AOB (Nitrosomonas europaea), NOB (Nitrobacter winogradskyi), and three ureolytic heterotrophs (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Acidovorax delafieldii, and Delftia acidovorans) was compiled and evaluated for these challenges. In reactor 1, salt adaptation of the ammonium-fed AOB and NOB co-culture was possible up to 45 mS cm(-1), which resembled undiluted nitrified urine, while maintaining a 44 +/- 10 mg NH4+-N L-1 d(-1) removal rate. In reactor 2, the nitrifiers and ureolytic heterotrophs were fed with urine and achieved a 15 +/- 6 mg NO3--N L-1 d(-1) production rate for 1% and 10% synthetic and fresh real urine, respectively. Batch activity tests with this community using fresh real urine even reached 29 +/- 3 mg N L-1 d(-1). Organics removal in the reactor (69 +/- 15%) should be optimized to generate a nitrate fertilizer for future space applications. (C) 2019 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000494650600006 Publication Date 2019-09-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0723-2020; 1618-0984 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164650 Serial 8717
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De Valck, J.; Beames, A.; Liekens, I.; Bettens, M.; Seuntjens, P.; Broekx, S.
Title Valuing urban ecosystem services in sustainable brownfield redevelopment Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2019 Publication Ecosystem services Abbreviated Journal
Volume 35 Issue Pages 139-149
Keywords A1 Journal article; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Urban environments provide opportunities for greater resource efficiency and the fostering of urban ecosystems. Brownfield areas are a typical example of underused land resources. Brownfield redevelopment projects that include green infrastructure allow for further ecosystems to be accommodated in urban environments. Green infrastructure also deliver important urban ecosystem services (UES) to local residents, which can greatly contribute to improving quality of life in cities. In this case study, we quantify and assess the economic value of five UES for a brownfield redevelopment project in Antwerp, Belgium. The assessment is carried out using the “Nature Value Explorer” modelling tool. The case includes three types of green infrastructure (green corridor, infiltration gullies and green roofs) primarily intended to connect nature reserves on the urban periphery and to avoid surface runoff. The green infrastructure also provides air filtration, climate regulation, carbon sequestration and recreation ecosystem services. The value of recreation far exceeds other values, including the value of avoided runoff. The case study raises crucial questions as to whether existing UES valuation approaches adequately account for the range of UES provided and whether such approaches can be improved to achieve more accurate and reliable value estimates in future analyses.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000457119300016 Publication Date 2018-12-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2212-0416 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:157539 Serial 8733
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Vanmeert, F.; Van der Snickt, G.; Legrand, S.; Janssens, K.
Title Velázquez? A portrait of Pope Innocent X : an X-ray imaging investigation (II) Type H3 Book chapter
Year (up) 2019 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 132-141 T2 - Velázquez : Anregungen, Vorschläge, L
Keywords H3 Book chapter; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract Encompassing a broad spectrum of methodological approaches and aims, the scholars contributing to this volume offer renewed perspectives on the multifaceted oeuvre of Diego Velázquez. The seventeenth-century artist’s exceptional religious works as well as his numerous portraits are examined within the social and historical context of Velázquez’s milieu which included both the Spanish court as well as circles comprising important intellectual figures of his time. Following a close investigation of his works, which also includes the results of recent technological examinations on his paintings, the contributors to this volume offer new, exciting findings and discussions on the inspirations, sources and possible intentions of Velázquez.
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 978-3-99020-155-8 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:190783 Serial 8736
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Alloul, A.; Wuyts, S.; Lebeer, S.; Vlaeminck, S.E.
Title Volatile fatty acids impacting phototrophic growth kinetics of purple bacteria : paving the way for protein production on fermented wastewater Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2019 Publication Water research Abbreviated Journal
Volume 152 Issue Pages 138-147
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Nutrient losses in our food chain severely surpass our planetary boundaries. Resource recovery can contribute to mitigation, for instance through converting wastewater resources to microbial protein for animal feed. Wastewater typically holds a complex mixture of organics, posing a challenge to selectively produce heterotrophic biomass. Ensuring the product's quality could be achieved by anaerobic generation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) followed by photoheterotrophic production of purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) with infrared light. This study aimed to determine the most suitable PNSB culture for VFA conversion and map the effect of acetate, propionate, butyrate and a VFA mixture on growth and biomass yield. Six cultures were screened in batch: (i) Rhodopseudomonas palustris, (ii) Rhodobacter sphaeroides, (iii) Rhodospirillum rubrum, (iv) a 3-species synthetic community (i+ii+iii), (v) a community enriched on VFA holding Rb. capsulatus, and (vi) Rb. capsulatus (isolate v). The VFA mixture elevated growth rates with a factor 1.32.5 compared to individual VFA. Rb. capsulatus showed the highest growth rates: 1.82.2 d−1 (enriched) and 2.33.8 d−1 (isolated). In a photobioreactor (PBR) inoculated with the Rb. capsulatus enrichment, decreasing sludge retention time (SRT) yielded lower biomass concentrations, yet increased productivities, reaching 1.7 g dry weight (DW) L−1 d−1, the highest phototrophic rate reported thus far, and a growth rate of up to 5 d−1. PNSB represented 2657% of the community and the diversity index was low (37), with a dominance of Rhodopseudomonas at long SRT and Rhodobacter at short SRT. The biomass yield for all cultures, in batch and reactor cultivation, approached 1 g CODBiomass g−1 CODRemoved. An economic estimation for a two-stage approach on brewery wastewater (load 2427 kg COD d−1) showed that 0.5 d SRT allowed for the lowest production cost ( 10 kg−1 DW; equal shares for capex and opex). The findings strengthen the potential for a novel two-stage approach for resource recovery from industrial wastewater, enabling high-rate PNSB production.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000458223900013 Publication Date 2018-12-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0043-1354; 1879-2448 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:156462 Serial 8739
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Kenawy, A.; Magnus, W.; Milošević, M.V.; Sorée, B.
Title Voltage-controlled superconducting magnetic memory Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2019 Publication AIP advances T2 – 64th Annual Conference on Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM), NOV 04-08, 2019, Las Vegas, NV Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 12 Pages 125223
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Over the past few decades, superconducting circuits have been used to realize various novel electronic devices such as quantum bits, SQUIDs, parametric amplifiers, etc. One domain, however, where superconducting circuits fall short is information storage. Superconducting memories are based on the quantization of magnetic flux in superconducting loops. Standard implementations store information as magnetic flux quanta in a superconducting loop interrupted by two Josephson junctions (i.e., a SQUID). However, due to the large inductance required, the size of the SQUID loop cannot be scaled below several micrometers, resulting in low-density memory chips. Here, we propose a scalable memory consisting of a voltage-biased superconducting ring threaded by a half-quantum flux bias. By numerically solving the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations, we show that applying a time-dependent bias voltage in the microwave range constitutes a writing mechanism to change the number of stored flux quanta within the ring. Since the proposed device does not require a large loop inductance, it can be scaled down, enabling a high-density memory technology. (C) 2019 Author(s).
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000515525300002 Publication Date 2019-12-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2158-3226 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved no
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:167551 Serial 8740
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Mazzeo, P.P.; Canossa, S.; Carraro, C.; Pelagatti, P.; Bacchi, A.
Title Systematic coformer contribution to cocrystal stabilization: energy and packing trends Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Crystengcomm Abbreviated Journal Crystengcomm
Volume 22 Issue 43 Pages 7341-7349
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Polycyclic aromatic compounds such as acridine and phenazine are popular molecular partners used in cocrystal synthesis. The intermolecular interactions occurring between coformers and their molecular partners dominate the cocrystal packing energy, but coformer self-interactions might participate with a constant non-negligible contribution to the overall packing energy stabilization. Two new acridine-based cocrystals have been mechanochemically synthesized, then fully characterized<italic>via</italic>DSC and SCXRD analyses. A statistical analysis in the CSD has been performed to evaluate the recurrent π–π stacking orientation of polycyclic coformers in all deposited acridine-based cocrystals, then extended to phenazine-base analogs. Packing energy calculations were performed on a selected cocrystal subset to quantify the contribution of the π–π interaction to the overall stabilization energy.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000589506600017 Publication Date 2020-03-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1466-8033 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes European Cooperation in Science and Technology, CA18112 ; Ministero delle Politiche Agricole Alimentari e Forestali, PAC/Packaging Attivo Cristallino ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.1; 2020 IF: 3.474
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:174262 Serial 6661
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Samaee, V.; Sandfeld, S.; Idrissi, H.; Groten, J.; Pardoen, T.; Schwaiger, R.; Schryvers, D.
Title Dislocation structures and the role of grain boundaries in cyclically deformed Ni micropillars Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Materials Science And Engineering A-Structural Materials Properties Microstructure And Processing Abbreviated Journal Mat Sci Eng A-Struct
Volume 769 Issue Pages 138295
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Transmission electron microscopy and finite element-based dislocation simulations were combined to study the development of dislocation microstructures after cyclic deformation of single crystal and bicrystal Ni micropillars oriented for multi-slip. A direct correlation between large accumulation of plastic strain and the presence of dislocation cell walls in the single crystal micropillars was observed, while the presence of the grain boundary hampered the formation of wall-like structures in agreement with a smaller accumulated plastic strain. Automated crystallographic orientation and nanostrain mapping using transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of lattice heterogeneities associated to the cell walls including long range elastic strain fields. By combining the nanostrain mapping with an inverse modelling approach, information about dislocation density, line orientation and Burgers vector direction was derived, which is not accessible otherwise in such dense dislocation structures. Simulations showed that the image forces associated with the grain boundary in this specific bicrystal configuration have only a minor influence on dislocation behavior. Thus, the reduced occurrence of “mature” cell walls in the bicrystal can be attributed to the available volume, which is too small to accommodate cell structures.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000500373800018 Publication Date 2019-08-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-5093 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Financial support from the Flemish (FWO) and German Research Foundation (DFG) through the European M-ERA.NET project “FaSS” (Fatigue Simulation near Surfaces) under the grant numbers GA.014.13 N,SCHW855/5-1, and SA2292/2-1 is gratefully acknowledged. V.S. acknowledges the FWO research project G012012 N “Understanding nanocrystalline mechanical behaviour from structural investigations”. H.I. is mandated by the Belgian National Fund for Scientific Research (FSR-FNRS). S.S. acknowledges financial support from the European Research Council through the ERC Grant Agreement No. 759419 (MuDiLingo – A Multiscale Dislocation Language for Data- Driven Materials Science). Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2020 IF: 3.094
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:163475 Serial 5371
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Yang, M.; Chen, H.; Orekhov, A.; Lu, Q.; Lan, X.; Li, K.; Zhang, S.; Song, M.; Kong, Y.; Schryvers, D.; Du, Y.
Title Quantified contribution of β″ and β′ precipitates to the strengthening of an aged Al–Mg–Si alloy Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Materials Science And Engineering A-Structural Materials Properties Microstructure And Processing Abbreviated Journal Mat Sci Eng A-Struct
Volume 774 Issue Pages 138776
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract It is generally believed that β00 precipitates, rather than β0 precipitates, are the major strengthening precipitates in

aged Al–Mg–Si alloys. The reason for this difference is not well understood. To clarify this, two samples of the

same Al–Mg–Si alloy but with different aging states were prepared. The under-aged sample only contains nanoprecipitates

of the β00 type, while the peak-aged one contains nearly equal volumes of β00 and β0 precipitates. We

have, for the first time, separated the strengthening effect of the contribution from βʺ and βʹ precipitates,

respectively, by an indirect approach based on high-precision measurements of volume fractions, number densities,

sizes, proportions of the precipitates, their lattice strains, the composition and grain size of the matrix. The

β0 precipitates, which take 45.6% of the total precipitate volume in the peak-aged sample, contribute to the entire

precipitation strengthening by only 31.6%. The main reason why they are less useful compared to β00 precipitates

has been found to be associated with their smaller lattice strains relative to the matrix, which is 0.99% versus

2.10% (for β00 ).
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000514747200001 Publication Date 2019-12-04
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-5093 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes National Natural Science Foundation of China, 51531009 51711530713 51501230 ; Central South University, 2018gczd033 ; Flemish Science Foundation, VS.026.18N ; Program for Guangdong Introducing Innovative and Entrepreneurial Teams, 2016ZT06G025 ; Guangdong Natural Science Foundation, 2017B030306014 ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2020 IF: 3.094
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:165290 Serial 5440
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Bal, K.M.; Bogaerts, A.; Neyts, E.C.
Title Ensemble-Based Molecular Simulation of Chemical Reactions under Vibrational Nonequilibrium Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Journal Of Physical Chemistry Letters Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem Lett
Volume 11 Issue 2 Pages 401-406
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We present an approach to incorporate the effect of vibrational nonequilibrium in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. A perturbed canonical ensemble, in which selected modes are excited to higher temperature while all others remain equilibrated at low temperature, is simulated by applying a specifically tailored bias potential. Our method can be readily applied to any (classical or quantum mechanical) MD setup at virtually no additional computational cost and allows the study of reactions of vibrationally excited molecules in nonequilibrium environments such as plasmas. In combination with enhanced sampling methods, the vibrational efficacy and mode selectivity of vibrationally stimulated reactions can then be quantified in terms of chemically relevant observables, such as reaction rates and apparent free energy barriers. We first validate our method for the prototypical hydrogen exchange reaction and then show how it can capture the effect of vibrational excitation on a symmetric SN2 reaction and radical addition on CO2.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000508473400008 Publication Date 2020-01-16
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1948-7185 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.7 Times cited Open Access
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 12ZI420N ; Departement Economie, Wetenschap en Innovatie van de Vlaamse Overheid; K.M.B. was funded as a junior postdoctoral fellow of the FWO (Research Foundation − Flanders), Grant 12ZI420N, and through a TOP-BOF research project of the University of Antwerp. The computational resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center), funded by the FWO and the Flemish Government− department EWI. Approved Most recent IF: 5.7; 2020 IF: 9.353
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:165587 Serial 5442
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Van Alphen, S.; Vermeiren, V.; Butterworth, T.; van den Bekerom, D.C.M.; van Rooij, G.J.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Power Pulsing To Maximize Vibrational Excitation Efficiency in N2Microwave Plasma: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Journal Of Physical Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 124 Issue 3 Pages 1765-1779
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Plasma is gaining increasing interest for N2 fixation, being a flexible, electricity-driven alternative for the current conventional fossil fuel-based N2 fixation processes. As the vibrational-induced dissociation of N2 is found to be an energy-efficient pathway to acquire atomic N for the fixation processes, plasmas that are in vibrational nonequilibrium seem promising for this application. However, an important challenge in using nonequilibrium plasmas lies in preventing vibrational−translational (VT) relaxation processes, in which vibrational energy crucial for N2 dissociation is lost to gas heating. We present here both experimental and modeling results for the vibrational and gas temperature in a microsecond-pulsed microwave (MW) N2 plasma, showing how power pulsing can suppress this unfavorable VT relaxation and achieve a maximal vibrational nonequilibrium. By means of our kinetic model, we demonstrate that pulsed plasmas take advantage of the long time scale on which VT processes occur, yielding a very pronounced nonequilibrium over the whole N2 vibrational ladder. Additionally, the effect of pulse parameters like the pulse frequency and pulse width are investigated, demonstrating that the advantage of pulsing to inhibit VT relaxation diminishes for high pulse frequencies (around 7000 kHz) and long power pulses (above 400 μs). Nevertheless, all regimes studied here demonstrate a clear vibrational nonequilibrium while only requiring a limited power-on time, and thus, we may conclude that a pulsed plasma seems very interesting for energyefficient vibrational excitation.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000509438600001 Publication Date 2020-01-23
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 Open Access
Notes Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 30505023 GoF9618n ; This research was supported by the Excellence of Science FWO-FNRS project (FWO Grant ID GoF9618n, EOS ID 30505023). The calculations were performed using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UAntwerpen), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UAntwerpen. Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2020 IF: 4.536
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:165586 Serial 5443
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Attri, P.; Razzokov, J.; Yusupov, M.; Koga, K.; Shiratani, M.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Influence of osmolytes and ionic liquids on the Bacteriorhodopsin structure in the absence and presence of oxidative stress: A combined experimental and computational study Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication International Journal Of Biological Macromolecules Abbreviated Journal Int J Biol Macromol
Volume 148 Issue Pages 657-665
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Understanding the folding and stability of membrane proteins is of great importance in protein science. Recently, osmolytes and ionic liquids (ILs) are increasingly being used as drug delivery systems in the biopharmaceutical industry. However, the stability of membrane proteins in the presence of osmolytes and ILs is not yet fully understood. Besides, the effect of oxidative stress on membrane proteins with osmolytes or ILs has not been investigated. Therefore, we studied the influence of osmolytes and ILs as co-solvents on the stability of a model membrane protein (i.e., Bacteriorhodopsin in purple membrane of Halobacterium salinarum), using UV–Vis spectroscopy and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The MD simulations allowed us to determine the flexibility and solvent accessible surface area (SASA) of Bacteriorhodopsin protein in the presence and/or absence of cosolvents, as well as to carry out principal component analysis (PCA) to identify the most important movements in this protein. In addition, by means of UV–Vis spectroscopy we studied the effect of oxidative stress generated by cold atmospheric plasma on the stability of Bacteriorhodopsin in the presence and/or absence of co-solvents. This study is important for a better understanding of the stability of proteins in the presence of oxidative stress.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000522094600066 Publication Date 2020-01-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0141-8130 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.2 Times cited Open Access
Notes Horizon2020, 743546 ; JSPS, 19H05462 16H03895 ; Nagoya University; We gratefully acknowledge the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship “Anticancer-PAM” within Horizon2020 (grant number 743546). This work was also supported by JSPS-KAKENHI 19H05462 and 16H03895, the joint usage/research program of Center for Low-temperature Plasma Science, Nagoya University and also supported by JSPS and RCL under the Japan-Lithuania Research Cooperative Program. The computational work was carried out using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UA), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UA. Approved Most recent IF: 8.2; 2020 IF: 3.671
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:165585 Serial 5444
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Peeters, H.; Keulemans, M.; Nuyts, G.; Vanmeert, F.; Li, C.; Minjauw, M.; Detavernier, C.; Bals, S.; Lenaerts, S.; Verbruggen, S.W.
Title Plasmonic gold-embedded TiO2 thin films as photocatalytic self-cleaning coatings Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Applied Catalysis B-Environmental Abbreviated Journal Appl Catal B-Environ
Volume 267 Issue 267 Pages 118654
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Transparent photocatalytic TiO2 thin films hold great potential in the development of self-cleaning glass sur-

faces, but suffer from a poor visible light response that hinders the application under actual sunlight. To alleviate this problem, the photocatalytic film can be modified with plasmonic nanoparticles that interact very effectively with visible light. Since the plasmonic effect is strongly concentrated in the near surroundings of the nano- particle surface, an approach is presented to embed the plasmonic nanostructures in the TiO2 matrix itself, rather than deposit them loosely on the surface. This way the interaction interface is maximised and the plasmonic effect can be fully exploited. In this study, pre-fabricated gold nanoparticles are made compatible with the organic medium of a TiO2 sol-gel coating suspension, resulting in a one-pot coating suspension. After spin coating, homogeneous, smooth, highly transparent and photoactive gold-embedded anatase thin films are ob- tained.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000518865300002 Publication Date 2020-01-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0926-3373 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 22.1 Times cited 57 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes H.P. is grateful to the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for an aspirant PhD scholarship. Approved Most recent IF: 22.1; 2020 IF: 9.446
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:165616 Serial 5446
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Rahemi, V.; Trashin, S.; Hafideddine, Z.; Van Doorslaer, S.; Meynen, V.; Gorton, L.; De Wael, K.
Title Amperometric flow-injection analysis of phenols induced by reactive oxygen species generated under daylight irradiation of titania impregnated with horseradish peroxidase Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Analytical Chemistry Abbreviated Journal Anal Chem
Volume 92 Issue 92 Pages 3643-3649
Keywords A1 Journal article; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a unique material for biosensing applications due to its capability of hosting enzymes. For the first time, we show that TiO2 can accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) under daylight irradiation and can support the catalytic cycle of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) without the need of H2O2 to be present in the solution. Phenolic compounds, such as hydroquinone (HQ) and 4-aminophenol (4-AP), were detected amperometrically in flow-injection analysis (FIA) mode via the use of an electrode modified with TiO2 impregnated with HRP. In contrast to the conventional detection scheme, no H2O2 was added to the analyte solution. Basically, the inherited ability of TiO2 to generate reactive oxygen species is used as a strategy to avoid adding H2O2 in the solution during the detection of phenolic compounds. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy indicates the presence of ROS on titania which, in interaction with HRP, initiate the electrocatalysis toward phenolic compounds. The amperometric response to 4-AP was linear in the concentration range between 0.05 and 2 μM. The sensitivity was 0.51 A M–1 cm–2, and the limit of detection (LOD) 26 nM. The proposed sensor design opens new opportunities for the detection of phenolic traces by HRP-based electrochemical biosensors, yet in a more straightforward and sensitive way following green chemistry principles of avoiding the use of reactive and harmful chemical, such as H2O2.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000518234700023 Publication Date 2020-01-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0003-2700; 5206-882x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7.4 Times cited 3 Open Access
Notes ; The authors thank Scientific Reseatch-Flanders (F-WO) (grant 12T4219N) for funding. ; Approved Most recent IF: 7.4; 2020 IF: 6.32
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:166241 Serial 5463
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Muhammad, S.; Wuyts, K.; Nuyts, G.; De Wael, K.; Samson, R.
Title Characterization of epicuticular wax structures on leaves of urban plant species and its association with leaf wettability Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Urban Forestry & Urban Greening Abbreviated Journal Urban For Urban Gree
Volume 47 Issue 47 Pages 126557
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation)
Abstract Epicuticular wax (EW) protects the plant’s integrity and acts as a barrier against biotic and abiotic stresses. The micro-structured three-dimensional EW’s and presence of leaf trichomes influence the wettability of a leaf surface. In this study, leaves of 96 perennial urban plant species were examined to determine an association between epicuticular wax structure (EWS) types and leaf wettability and investigate their seasonal variation. The EWS types were identified using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), while leaf wettability was analyzed by measuring the drop contact angle (DCA) on both the abaxial and the adaxial sides of leaves collected from a common garden in June and September 2016. Four distinct EWS types namely thin film, platelets, crusts, and tubules were observed on leaves of investigated plant species in both June and September. The EWS types varied significantly between functional plant types and plant families in both June and September. In June, the abaxial DCA ranged from 56° to 147°, and the adaxial DCA ranged from 56° to 136°. In September, the abaxial DCA ranged from 54° to 130°, and the adaxial DCA ranged from 51° to 125°. The effect of time, leaf side, and EWS type on leaf wettability were significant. Plant species which showed a change in EWS type or clustering from June to September did not show a more pronounced reduction in DCA compared to those species which exhibited a constant EWS type. Findings from our study illustrate that DCA is not a good indicator in determining the different EWS types due to overlapping DCA intervals between the identified EWS types. However, the identified EWS types remained fairly stable throughout the in-leaf season and do not require repeated measurements for characterization.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000508389000028 Publication Date 2019-12-05
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1618-8667 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited 5 Open Access
Notes ; The research was funded by the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP # 15103399). The SEM equipment was funded by FWO/Hercules. The authors acknowledge the help of the ENdEMIC group involved in the upkeep of the experimental site. The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their critical comments and constructive suggestions in improving the quality of the article. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2020 IF: 2.113
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164906 Serial 5504
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Castanheiro, A.; Hofman, J.; Nuyts, G.; Joosen, S.; Spassov, S.; Blust, R.; Lenaerts, S.; De Wael, K.; Samson, R.
Title Leaf accumulation of atmospheric dust : biomagnetic, morphological and elemental evaluation using SEM, ED-XRF and HR-ICP-MS Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Atmospheric Environment Abbreviated Journal Atmos Environ
Volume 221 Issue 221 Pages 117082
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Atmospheric dust deposition on plants enables the collection of site-specific particulate matter (PM). Knowing the morphology and composition of PM aids in disclosing their emitting sources as well as the associated human health risk. Therefore, this study aimed for a leaf-level holistic analysis of dust accumulation on plant leaves. Plant species (ivy and strawberry) with distinct leaf macro- and micro-morphology were exposed during 3 months at a moderate road traffic site in Antwerp, Belgium. Leaves collected every three weeks were analyzed for their magnetic signature, morphology and elemental content, by a combination of techniques (biomagnetic analyses, ED-XRF, HR-ICP-MS, SEM). Dust accumulation on the leaves was observed both visually (SEM) and magnetically, while the metal enrichment was limited (only evident for Cr) and more variable over time. Temporal dynamics during the second half of the exposure period, due to precipitation events and reduction of atmospheric pollution input, were evidenced in our results (elements/magnetically/SEM). Ivy accumulated more dust than strawberry leaves and seemed less susceptible to wash-off, even though strawberry leaves contain trichomes and a rugged micromorphology, leaf traits considered to be important for capturing PM. The magnetic enrichment (in small-grained, SD/PSD magnetite particles), on the other hand, was not species-specific, indicating a common contributing source. Variations in pollution contributions, meteorological phenomena, leaf traits, particle deposition (and encapsulation) versus micronutrients depletion, are discussed in light of the conducted monitoring campaign. Although not completely elucidative, the complex, multifactorial process of leaf dust accumulation can better be understood through a combination of techniques.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000503097100001 Publication Date 2019-11-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1352-2310 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5 Times cited Open Access
Notes ; The authors thank the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) for their collaboration and air quality and meteorological data, and Karen Wuyts for the discussion about plant leaf characteristics. A.C. gratefully acknowledges the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for her PhD fellowship (1S21418N). J.H. received a FWO postdoctoral fellowship grant (1214816N). ; Approved Most recent IF: 5; 2020 IF: 3.629
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165458 Serial 5691
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Khan, S.U.; Trashin, S.A.; Korostei, Y.S.; Dubinina, T.V.; Tomilova, L.G.; Verbruggen, S.W.; De Wael, K.
Title Photoelectrochemistry for measuring the photocatalytic activity of soluble photosensitizers Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication ChemPhotoChem Abbreviated Journal
Volume 4 Issue 4 Pages 300-306
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract We introduce a rapid method to test the photocatalytic activity of singlet‐oxygen‐producing photosensitizers using a batch cell, a LED laser and a conventional potentiostat. The strategy is based on coupling of photo‐oxidation of hydroquinone and simultaneous electrochemical reduction of its oxidized form at a carbon electrode in an organic solvent (methanol). This scheme gives an immediate response and avoids complications related to long‐term experiments such as oxidative photo‐degradation of photosensitizers and singlet oxygen traps by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Among the tested compounds, a fluoro‐substituted subphthalocyanine showed the highest photocurrent and singlet oxygen quantum yield (ΦΔ) in comparison to phenoxy‐ and tert‐butyl‐substituted analogues, whereas the lowest photocurrents and yields were observed for aggregated and dimeric phthalocyanine complexes. The method is useful for fast screening of the photosensitizing activity and represents the first example of one‐pot coupling of electrochemical and photocatalytic reactions in organic media.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000520100400001 Publication Date 2020-01-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2367-0932 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.7 Times cited 1 Open Access
Notes ; We gratefully acknowledge the financial support by ERA.Net RUS Plus Plasmon Electrolight project (No. 18-53-76006 ERA) and RSF 17-13-01197. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2020 IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165912 Serial 5771
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Peeters, M.; Compernolle, T.; Van Passel, S.
Title Simulation of a controlled water heating system with demand response remunerated on imbalance market pricing Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Journal of building engineering Abbreviated Journal
Volume 27 Issue 27 Pages 100969
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract Buildings are responsible for 40% of our worldwide energy consumption and 50% of this energy is converted for Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings. The increasing share of renewable energy production required to make the transition towards a carbon neutral energy system challenges the stability of the grid. Through demand response it becomes possible to activate these systems in support of grid balancing. However, this flexibility is currently not rewarded in the market. We simulate a domestic water heater participating in the balancing of the electricity net and calculated the revenue from this action. We simulate a water heater in connection with an Economic Model Predictive Controller (EMPC) which takes future usage, energy cost, and reward for delivering balanced power into account. We show that the choice of an EMPC controller is valid as it allows the setpoint to change if certain conditions are met, leading to a more optimal revenue stream from selling flexibility. We find that the economic benefits of participating in delivering balancing power is considerable and offset an increase in energy costs. The increase in energy consumption could be justified as the participation in net stabilisation allows the macro-system to integrate more renewable energy sources. More importantly, the simulations also show that the poorer the energy performance of the water heater, the more flexibility can be sold. From a policy point of view, a minimal energy performance should be determined before allowing participation in net stabilisation.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000502361000075 Publication Date 2019-09-27
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 ; Tine Compernolle thanks the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for funding her postdoctoral mandate [grant number 12M7417N]. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164236 Serial 6248
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Gezahegn, T.W.; Van Passel, S.; Berhanu, T.; D'haese, M.; Maertens, M.
Title Do bottom-up and independent agricultural cooperatives really perform better? Insights from a technical efficiency analysis in Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Agrekon Abbreviated Journal Agrekon
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract The cooperative landscape in Ethiopia is very heterogeneous with a mixture of remains of the pre-1991 government-controlled system and new post-1991 bottom-up collective action initiatives. This heterogeneity, coupled with a large growth in the number of cooperatives in the country, offers an interesting perspective to study the determinants of the (in)efficiency of cooperatives. In this paper, we analyse the performance of Ethiopian agricultural cooperatives, focusing on the degree of technical (in)efficiency and its determinants. We use the stochastic frontier approach in which we account for heteroskedasticity and the monotonicity of production functions, presenting a methodological improvement with respect to previous technical efficiency studies. The results show that NGO- and government-initiated cooperatives are less efficient than community-initiated ones, implying that governments and NGOs should not interfere too strongly in cooperative formation. Cooperatives with a high degree of heterogeneity in members' participation are found to be about 98% less efficient, while cooperatives that have paid employees are 33% more efficient. Besides, results show that cooperatives in Ethiopia function more efficiently if they incentivize committee members through monetary compensation.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000487651200001 Publication Date 2019-09-24
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0303-1853 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.3 Times cited Open Access
Notes ; The authors acknowledge funding from the VLIR-UOS TEAM Program (VLIR-UOS-ZEIN2015PR406 (13V95615T), Belgium. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.3; 2020 IF: 0.224
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:163772 Serial 6184
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Rafiaani, P.; Kuppens, T.; Thomassen, G.; Van Dael, M.; Azadi, H.; Lebailly, P.; Van Passel, S.
Title A critical view on social performance assessment at company level : social life cycle analysis of an algae case Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication International Journal Of Life Cycle Assessment Abbreviated Journal Int J Life Cycle Ass
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract Purpose Social indicators are not easy to be quantitatively analyzed, although at the local scale, the social impacts might be relevant and important. Using the existing approaches for both quantitative and semi-qualitative measurements, this study aims to assess the social impacts of a company working on algae production systems in Belgium through social life cycle analysis (SLCA). By highlighting the opportunities and challenges on the way of applying the existing SLCA approaches at company level, the objective of this study is to contribute to the development of a suitable and clear SLCA approach when a company is considered as the unit of analysis. Methods Based on the list of potential social impact categories suggested by the United Nations Environment Program/Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (UNEP/SETAC) guidelines (2009) for SLCA, three stakeholder groups (workers, consumers, and local community) and three subcategories associated with each stakeholder group were identified as the most relevant for carbon capture and utilization technologies. Company and sector level data were collected using existing documents and reports, and the data were analyzed and scored using a combined quantitative and semi-quantitative approach to develop a social assessment model for the case study. Results and discussion The company appears to perform well for all the evaluated social indicators except the one related to the subcategory “equal opportunity/discrimination for workers” for which the share of women employed is lower compared with the sector-level data. The results of our assessment were further discussed regarding the challenges and limitations of performing SLCA at the company level. Based on our experience, the validity of the outcomes is significantly influenced by the data availability, the generality of the indicators introduced within the UNEP/SETAC guidelines, and the subjectivity in data collection for the semi-quantitative assessment among others. Conclusions By highlighting the difficulties and challenges of applying the SLCA at the company level, our study provides a starting point for improving the quantitative assessment and monitoring social implications at the company level within a regional foreground in Europe.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000492643600001 Publication Date 2019-10-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0948-3349; 1614-7502 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 4.8 Times cited 1 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.8; 2020 IF: 3.173
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164676 Serial 6141
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Bafekry, A.; Stampfl, C.; Shayesteh, S.F.
Title A first-principles study of C3N nanostructures : control and engineering of the electronic and magnetic properties of nanosheets, tubes and ribbons Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Chemphyschem Abbreviated Journal Chemphyschem
Volume 21 Issue 2 Pages 164-174
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Using first-principles calculations we systematically investigate the atomic, electronic and magnetic properties of novel two-dimensional materials (2DM) with a stoichiometry C3N which has recently been synthesized. We investigate how the number of layers affect the electronic properties by considering monolayer, bilayer and trilayer structures, with different stacking of the layers. We find that a transition from semiconducting to metallic character occurs which could offer potential applications in future nanoelectronic devices. We also study the affect of width of C3N nanoribbons, as well as the radius and length of C3N nanotubes, on the atomic, electronic and magnetic properties. Our results show that these properties can be modified depending on these dimensions, and depend markedly on the nature of the edge states. Functionalization of the nanostructures by the adsorption of H adatoms is found induce metallic, half-metallic, semiconducting and ferromagnetic behavior, which offers an approach to tailor the properties, as can the application of strain. Our calculations give insight into this new family of C3N nanostructures, which reveal unusual electronic and magnetic properties, and may have great potential in applications such as sensors, electronics and optoelectronic at the nanoscale.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000503453100001 Publication Date 2019-11-09
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1439-4235 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.9 Times cited 27 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.9; 2020 IF: 3.075
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165045 Serial 6282
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Bafekry, A.; Stampfl, C.; Ghergherehchi, M.; Shayesteh, S.F.
Title A first-principles study of the effects of atom impurities, defects, strain, electric field and layer thickness on the electronic and magnetic properties of the C2N nanosheet Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Carbon Abbreviated Journal Carbon
Volume 157 Issue 157 Pages 371-384
Keywords A1 Journal article; Condensed Matter Theory (CMT)
Abstract Using the first-principles calculations, we explore the structural and novel electronic/optical properties of the C2N nanosheet. To this goal, we systematically investigate the affect of layer thickness, electrical field and strain on the electronic properties of the C2N nanosheet. By increasing the thickness of C2N, we observed that the band gap decreases. Moreover, by applying an electrical field to bilayer C2N, the band gap decreases and a semiconductor-to-metal transition can occur. Our results also confirm that uniaxial and biaxial strain can effectively alter the band gap of C2N monolayer. Furthermore, we show that the electronic and magnetic properties of C2N can be modified by the adsorption and substitution of various atoms. Depending on the species of embedded atoms, they may induce semiconductor (O, C, Si and Be), metal (S, N, P, Na, K, Mg and Ca), dilute-magnetic semiconductor (H, F, B), or ferro-magnetic-metal (Cl, Li) character in C2N monolayer. It was also found that the inclusion of hydrogen or oxygen impurities and nitrogen vacancies, can induce magnetism in the C2N monolayer. These extensive calculations can be useful to guide future studies to modify the electronic/optical properties of two-dimensional materials. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000502548500044 Publication Date 2019-10-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0008-6223 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 10.9 Times cited 49 Open Access
Notes ; This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (NRF-2017R1A2B2011989). We are thankful for comments by Meysam Baghery Tagani from department of physics in University of Guilan and Bohayra Mortazavi from Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universitat Hannover, Hannover, Germany. ; Approved Most recent IF: 10.9; 2020 IF: 6.337
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165024 Serial 6283
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Choukroun, D.; Daems, N.; Kenis, T.; Van Everbroeck, T.; Hereijgers, J.; Altantzis, T.; Bals, S.; Cool, P.; Breugelmans, T.
Title Bifunctional nickel-nitrogen-doped-carbon-supported copper electrocatalyst for CO2 reduction Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Journal Of Physical Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Phys Chem C
Volume 124 Issue 124 Pages 1369-1381
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Abstract Bifunctionality is a key feature of many industrial catalysts, supported metal clusters and particles in particular, and the development of such catalysts for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to hydrocarbons and alcohols is gaining traction in light of recent advancements in the field. Carbon-supported Cu nanoparticles are suitable candidates for integration in the state-of-the-art reaction interfaces, and here, we propose, synthesize, and evaluate a bifunctional Ni–N-doped-C-supported Cu electrocatalyst, in which the support possesses active sites for selective CO2 conversion to CO and Cu nanoparticles catalyze either the direct CO2 or CO reduction to hydrocarbons. In this work, we introduce the scientific rationale behind the concept, its applicability, and the challenges with regard to the catalyst. From the practical aspect, the deposition of Cu nanoparticles onto carbon black and Ni–N–C supports via an ammonia-driven deposition precipitation method is reported and explored in more detail using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, and hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) give further evidence of the presence of Cu-containing nanoparticles on the Ni–N–C supports while revealing an additional relationship between the nanoparticle’s composition and the electrode’s electrocatalytic performance. Compared to the benchmark carbon black-supported Cu catalysts, Ni–N–C-supported Cu delivers up to a 2-fold increase in the partial C2H4 current density at −1.05 VRHE (C1/C2 = 0.67) and a concomitant 10-fold increase of the CO partial current density. The enhanced ethylene production metrics, obtained by virtue of the higher intrinsic activity of the Ni–N–C support, point out toward a synergistic action between the two catalytic functionalities.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000508467700015 Publication Date 2020-01-07
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 24 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; N.D. acknowledges sponsoring from the research foundation of Flanders (FWO) in the frame of a postdoctoral grant (12Y3919N N.D.). J.H. greatly acknowledges the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for support through a postdoctoral fellowship (28761). T.V.E. and P.C. acknowledge financial support from the EU-Partial-PGMs project (H2020NMP-686086). The authors also acknowledge financial support from the university research fund (BOF-GOA PS ID No. 33928). ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.7; 2020 IF: 4.536
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165326 Serial 6286
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Callaert, C.
Title Characterization of defects, modulations and surface layers in topological insulators and structurally related compounds Type Doctoral thesis
Year (up) 2020 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 180 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
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 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165867 Serial 6288
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Smith, J.D.; Bladt, E.; Burkhart, J.A.C.; Winckelmans, N.; Koczkur, K.M.; Ashberry, H.M.; Bals, S.; Skrabalak, S.E.
Title Defect-directed growth of symmetrically branched metal nanocrystals Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Angewandte Chemie-International Edition Abbreviated Journal Angew Chem Int Edit
Volume 59 Issue 59 Pages 943-950
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Branched plasmonic nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted much attention due to electric field enhancements at their tips. Seeded growth provides routes to NCs with defined branching patterns and, in turn, near-field distributions with defined symmetries. Here, a systematic analysis was undertaken in which seeds containing different distributions of planar defects were used to grow branched NCs in order to understand how their distributions direct the branching. Characterization of the products by multimode electron tomography and analysis of the NC morphologies at different overgrowth stages indicate that the branching patterns are directed by the seed defects, with the emergence of branches from the seed faces consistent with minimizing volumetric strain energy at the expense of surface energy. These results contrast with growth of branched NCs from single-crystalline seeds and provide a new platform for the synthesis of symmetrically branched plasmonic NCs.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000498760200001 Publication Date 2019-11-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1433-7851; 0570-0833 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 16.6 Times cited 23 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; The authors thank Samantha Harvey for her initial observations of branched structures, Alexander Chen for his help with SAED, the staff of the Nanoscale Characterization Facility (Dr. Yi Yi), Electron Microscopy Center (Dr. David Morgan and Dr. Barry Stein), and Molecular Structure Center at Indiana University. J.S. recognizes a fellowship provided by the Indiana Space Grant Consortium. E.B. acknowledges a post-doctoral grant from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium). This project has received funding to S.E.S. from the U.S. National Science Foundation (award numbers: 1602476 and 1904499) and Research Corporation for Scientific Advancement (2017 Frontiers in Research Excellence and Discovery Award) as well as to S.B. from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 731019 (EUSMI) and No 815128 (REALNANO). ; sygma Approved Most recent IF: 16.6; 2020 IF: 11.994
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165124 Serial 6293
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Spreitzer, M.; Klement, D.; Egoavil, R.; Verbeeck, J.; Kovac, J.; Zaloznik, A.; Koster, G.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Suvorov, D.; Rijnders, G.
Title Growth mechanism of epitaxial SrTiO3 on a (1 x 2) + (2 x 1) reconstructed Sr(1/2 ML)/Si(001) surface Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Journal Of Materials Chemistry C Abbreviated Journal J Mater Chem C
Volume 8 Issue 2 Pages 518-527
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Sub-monolayer control over the growth at silicon-oxide interfaces is a prerequisite for epitaxial integration of complex oxides with the Si platform, enriching it with a variety of functionalities. However, the control over this integration is hindered by the intense reaction of the constituents. The most suitable buffer material for Si passivation is metallic strontium. When it is overgrown with a layer of SrTiO3 (STO) it can serve as a pseudo-substrate for the integration with functional oxides. In our study we determined a mechanism for epitaxial integration of STO with a (1 x 2) + (2 x 1) reconstructed Sr(1/2 ML)/Si(001) surface using all-pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technology. A detailed analysis of the initial deposition parameters was performed, which enabled us to develop a complete protocol for integration, taking into account the peculiarities of the PLD growth, STO critical thickness, and process thermal budget, in order to kinetically trap the reaction between STO and Si and thus to minimize the thickness of the interface layer. The as-prepared oxide layer exhibits STO(001)8Si(001) out-of-plane and STO[110]8Si[100] in-plane orientation and together with recent advances in large-scale PLD tools these results represent a new technological solution for the implementation of oxide electronics on demand.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000506852400036 Publication Date 2019-10-28
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; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 6.4 Times cited 12 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; The research was financially supported by the Slovenian Research Agency (Project No. P2-0091, J2-9237) and Ministry of Education, Science and Sport of the Republic of Slovenia (SIOX projects). This work was also funded by the European Union Council under the 7th Framework Program grant no. NMP3-LA-2010-246102 IFOX. J. V. and G. V. T. acknowledge funding from the Fund for Scientific Research Flanders under project no. G.0044.13N. ; Approved Most recent IF: 6.4; 2020 IF: 5.256
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165672 Serial 6298
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Vets, C.
Title Growth properties of carbon nanomaterials : towards tuning for electronic applications Type Doctoral thesis
Year (up) 2020 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 130 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
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 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164737 Serial 6299
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Pourbabak, S.
Title Influence of nano and microstructural features and defects in finegrained NiTi on the thermal and mechanical reversibility of the martensitic transformation Type Doctoral thesis
Year (up) 2020 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 166 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
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 ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165919 Serial 6305
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Jin, B.; Liang, F.; Hu, Z.-Y.; Wei, P.; Liu, K.; Hu, X.; Van Tendeloo, G.; Lin, Z.; Li, H.; Zhou, X.; Xiong, Q.; Zhai, T.
Title Nonlayered CdSe flakes homojunctions Type A1 Journal article
Year (up) 2020 Publication Advanced Functional Materials Abbreviated Journal Adv Funct Mater
Volume 30 Issue 30 Pages 1908902
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract 2D homojunctions have stimulated extensive attention because of their perfect thermal and lattice matches, as well as their tunable band structures in 2D morphology, which provide fascinating opportunities for novel electronics and optoelectronics. Recently, 2D nonlayered materials have attracted the attention of researchers owing to their superior functional applications and diverse portfolio of the 2D family. Therefore, 2D nonlayered homojunctions would open the door to a rich spectrum of exotic 2D materials. However, they are not investigated due to their extremely difficult synthesis methods. Herein, nonlayered CdSe flakes homojunctions are obtained via self-limited growth with InCl3 as a passivation agent. Interestingly, two pieces of vertical wurtzite-zinc blende (WZ-ZB) homojunctions epitaxially integrate into WZ/ZB lateral junctions. These homojunctions show a divergent second-harmonic generation intensity, strongly correlated to the multiple twinned ZB phase, as identified by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy and theoretical calculations. Impressively, the photodetector based on this WZ/ZB CdSe homojunction shows excellent performances, integrating a high photoswitching ratio (3.4 x 10(5)) and photoresponsivity (3.7 x 10(3) A W-1), suggesting promising potential for applications in electronics and optoelectronics.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000508624800001 Publication Date 2020-01-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1616-301x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 19 Times cited 8 Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ; This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 21825103, 51727809, and 51802103), the Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (2019CFA002), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (HUST: 2019kfyXMBZ018; WUT: 2019III012GX). Here the authors also thank the support from Analytical and Testing Center in HUST and the State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures in WUT. ; Approved Most recent IF: 19; 2020 IF: 12.124
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165654 Serial 6314
Permanent link to this record