RADICAL’s Post

Tuesday publication update! 📖 In this newest publication in ACS Advanced Nano Materials, researchers from the #KULeuven have used the #AtmosphereAX system to look at passive adsorption materials for NOx removal. Authors Sreeprasanth Pulinthanathu Sree Claudio Bellani , Rainer Straubinger have investigated the dynamic behavior of palladium species impregnated onto zeolite under hydrothermal oxidation conditions, and using vapor! 🔬Using #Protochips' in situ gas phase TEM including the #AXON software, the formation and dispersion of Pd nanoparticles could be observed supported on a RHO zeolite. By heating the zeolite powder impregnated with a Pd complex up to 750°C within the TEM under an O2 atmosphere, water vapor, and argon, the dynamic evolution of Pd particles was shown. 🌡️ At lower temperatures, volatile masses began to form and gradually coalesced as the temperature increased. At the peak temperature of 750°C, a dispersal process occurred, releasing highly mobile smaller particles. This behavior underscores the intricate dynamics of Pd species under these conditions. ⚙️ The in situ TEM studies captured the dynamic changes of Pd nanoparticles, revealing mechanisms such as rapid thermally induced reduction and Ostwald ripening. These insights are crucial for optimizing and preparing supported noble-metal materials and catalysts. Studies like these enhance the understanding of nanoparticle formation on supports for catalysis and underscore the potential of in situ TEM as a powerful method for investigating and improving the synthesis of various catalytic nanomaterials. Read the entire paper here: https://hubs.li/Q02zPSwJ0 #Findyourbreakthrough #insituelectronmicroscopy #gascellmicroscopy #TEM #catalysis #heterogeneouscatalysis #nanoparticlesynthesis

Saddle up and do the twist! #Cyclooctatetraene derivatives are fascinating molecules as adding or removing electrons from their π systems makes for fundamental changes in their molecular structures and behavior. Understanding how these molecules respond to electron uptake can help designing advanced materials with tailored electronic, optical, and catalytic properties, for example as electrode materials. Yikun Zhu, Zheng Zhou, Zheng Wei, Alexandra Tsybizova, Renana Gershoni Poranne (Technion - Israel Institute of Technology) and Marina Petrukhina (University at Albany) have now investigated the stepwise electron addition to tetrabenzo[a,c,e,g]cyclooctatetraene (TBCOT), also known as tetraphenylene. Through combining experimental and computational analyzes, they could show that the addition of one #electron already causes an asymmetric distortion in the molecule’s saddle-shaped core, and the monoanion could be isolated and fully characterized. When a second electron is added, a significant structural twist results, forming two fused five-membered rings – a transformation that is reversible by re-oxidation! Our Pick of the Week, published #OpenAccess in ChemistryEurope, our new Gold Open Access flagship journal: "What a Difference an Electron Makes: Structural Response of Saddle-Shaped Tetraphenylene to One and Two Electron Uptake" https://ow.ly/u1TP50TBbTh

Congrats to Ye, Botao, and all co-authors on their recent publication in Nature Communications titled: "Effect of Ion-Specific Water Structures at Metal Surfaces on Hydrogen Production"! In this study, we used advanced microscopy techniques to visualize how different alkali metal cations (Li+, K+, Cs+) influence the structure of water layers on a charged Au(111) surface at the atomic level. The research highlights how these ion-specific water structures impact hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics and efficiency—shedding light on the critical role spectator ions play in electrochemical processes. This could have significant implications for advancing sustainable energy solutions like hydrogen production. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e_cqDWuP

Dissertation Defense is finally here! My work highlights the green synthesis of Ag nanoparticles, focusing on sustainable and eco-friendly methods of fabrication. The applications of these Ag NPs were explored in Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) and Solar-Driven Photothermal Water Evaporation: A promising approach for sustainable water purification. Almost seeing the light at the end of the tunnel 😅 #Nanomaterials #SERS #Photothermal #MaterialsScience

#analyticalchemistry news In a fascinating exploration published in *Analytical Methods*, researchers have unveiled a pioneering approach to enhancing the capabilities of #Raman scattering, a critical tool in the field of #analytical #chemistry. The study, "Three-dimensional hotspot structures constructed from nanoporous gold with a V-cavity and gold nanoparticles for surface-enhanced Raman scattering," demonstrates the construction of advanced three-dimensional hotspot structures using nanoporous gold and strategically placed gold nanoparticles to significantly improve surface-enhanced Raman scattering, SERS,. Nanoporous gold, with its unique properties, serves as a scaffold to amplify Raman signals. This study takes innovation further by integrating a V-cavity design alongside gold nanoparticles, creating a highly efficient platform for SERS. This structure not only boosts the sensitivity of #chemical detection but also promises more precise analysis of a wide array of substances, from pollutants to pharmaceuticals. The enhanced sensitivity stems from the optimal configuration of the gold structures, maximising the electromagnetic fields at their surfaces, a crucial factor in SERS technology. Why does this matter to our daily lives? The implementation of such advanced techniques in #chemistry could significantly influence fields like environmental monitoring and health diagnostics, leading to more reliable detection of contaminants in our water supply or improvements in point-of-care testing. These advancements could eventually translate into safer environments and improved healthcare solutions, showcasing the profound impact of fundamental research in our everyday lives. For a more comprehensive understanding, I encourage you to explore the full study through this link: [Read More](https://lnkd.in/dxeEccH8,. #Innovation #GoldNanoparticles #SERS #ScienceForEveryone #AnalyticalMethods, If you want to know more about #analyticalchemistry news, follow me: https://lnkd.in/d29pbjb9

📣 New preprint: "Molecular alloying drives valence change in a van der Waals antiferromagnet" (link below👇) 👉 By leveraging molecular alloying, we've discovered a novel mechanism to control valence changes in a layered metal-organic antiferromagnet. Specifically, by alloying aliovalent Cr(pyrazine)I2 and Cr(pyrazine)2Br2, we can switch between Cr(II) and Cr(III) states thermally, dramatically altering the materials’ magnetization and electrical conductivity by up to five orders of magnitude. This work establishes a new paradigm in the manipulation of (metal-organic) van der Waals crystals, where molecular alloying can drive complete and temperature-tunable valence change transitions from parent materials that do not display any valence change transition themselves. 👉 Check out our paper here: https://lnkd.in/dCMs9PBr and see lots of electron (#3D-ED, #microED), (high-pressure) X-ray, and neutron diffraction and spectroscopy, as well as magnetism and transport. DTU Chemistry

In our latest research, we delve into the thermal stability of crosslinked carbon nanotubes (CNTs) produced through a UV-defluorination process. The study reveals that these crosslinked CNTs, while mechanically robust, exhibit metastability and decompose more readily under laser irradiation compared to their pristine or fluorinated counterparts. This intriguing behavior is attributed to the strain induced by the intertube crosslinking bonds on the curved CNT surface. The research also uncovers the fascinating phenomenon of metallic CNTs within the crosslinked networks de-crosslinking and recovering faster than semiconducting CNTs. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that crosslinked CNTs combust at temperatures significantly lower than non-crosslinked fluorinated CNTs, highlighting their potential for applications demanding high-performance materials with sustainable disposal options. The ability to fine-tune the stability of CNTs through crosslinking and controlled degradation opens up exciting possibilities for their use in various fields, including advanced composites and energy technologies. Check out the full paper for more details: https://lnkd.in/gdrPuTVV #carbonnanotubes #nanomaterials #thermalstability #sustainability #research

Excited to share our latest publication in PNAS: "Molecular-level design of alternative media for energy-saving pilot-scale fibrillation of nanocellulose." In this study, we combined atomistic molecular simulations with experiments to identify alternative media that reduce cellulose nanofiber (CNF) interactions and lower the energy required for fibrillation. Our key finding: using aqueous NaOH-urea (0.007:0.012 wt.%) can reduce fibrillation energy by an average of ~21% compared to water alone. This breakthrough not only paves the way for more energy-efficient nanocellulose production but also offers broader potential for applications involving the dispersion of deprotonable polymers in water with a strong base and hydrogen-bond donor/acceptor molecules. Check out the full paper here: https://lnkd.in/e7w62pJP Thanks to Kevin (Shih-Hsien) Liu for leading this incredible work, and thanks to the entire team for their fantastic contributions! #Nanocellulose #SustainableMaterials #EnergyEfficiency #Biomaterials #CircularEconomy #GreenChemistry #PNAS #ResearchInnovation #ComputationalChemistry

Unlocking the Mystery of Water Transport in RO Membranes: The traditional Solution Diffusion (SD) model, long regarded as the gold standard for describing water transport in Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes, is under scrutiny. Recent groundbreaking research led by Prof. Menachem Elimelech and his team from Yale University has unveiled critical flaws in the SD model, paving the way for a paradigm shift in our understanding of RO membrane mechanisms. The SD model, which posits water diffusion down a concentration gradient, has been widely accepted for decades. However, new experimental and computational studies are challenging its foundational assumptions. These studies now support the Pore Flow mechanism as the primary driver of water transport in RO membranes, a revelation that could reshape the landscape of membrane science and technology. 💡 For instance, butanol with a diameter of 0.50 nm can permeate cellulose acetate RO membranes (~0.65 nm) but not polyamide RO membranes (~0.5 nm), despite both membranes allowing the passage of solvent molecules smaller than 0.5 nm. Advanced techniques such as Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) and advanced electron microscopy have further confirmed the existence of pores (0.4 – 0.9 nm) within these membranes, shedding light on their structural intricacies. 🔍 Link: https://lnkd.in/g2AwXRJx #ROMembranes #PoreFlow #SolutionDiffusion #MembraneScience #ResearchBreakthroughs #Desalination 🌊 Pore Flow vs. Solution Diffusion 🌊

A recent publication from our researchers at University of Adelaide and industry partner Ceylon Graphene Technologies (Pvt) Ltd. Great to see such collaborations resulting in scientific outputs! Here, graphene materials are investigated as a promising carbon capture technology. Selected text from the highlights: "Kinetics of CO2 adsorption was explored on three graphene materials. Activation parameters and rate limiting kinetics were explored. CO2 adsorption rate is governed by film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion." Prof Dusan Losic, Pei Lay Yap, Jun Ma, Manju Gunawardana, Hong Huynh Nguyen #carboncapture #co2adorption #2dmaterials #graphene https://lnkd.in/gAKH7sbE