Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Cheng-Hun Lin, Karol Dyro, Olivia Chen, Dean Yen, Bingqian Zheng, Maria Torres Arango, Surita Bhatia, Ke Sun, Qingkun Meng, Lutz Wiegart, Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart
Summary: The study utilizes X-ray scattering and X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy to investigate the dynamic changes in material structure during 3D printing, revealing anisotropic and spatiotemporally heterogeneous dynamics which impact the electrochemical performance of the resulting energy storage device.
APPLIED MATERIALS TODAY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bichitra Borah, Gobin Raj Acharya, Diana Grajeda, Matthew S. Emerson, Matthew A. Harris, Am Milinda Abeykoon, Joshua Sangoro, Gary A. Baker, Andrew J. Nieuwkoop, Claudio J. Margulis
Summary: This article reports on the structural-dynamic pathway from liquid to glass in ionic liquids containing a specific cation. Experimental and computational evidence suggests that the transition from liquid to glass occurs in separate stages.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thomas C. Rossi, Conner P. Dykstra, Tyler N. Haddock, Rachel Wallick, John H. Burke, Cecilia M. Gentle, Gilles Doumy, Anne Marie March, Renske M. van der Veen
Summary: Understanding the electronic structure and dynamics of semiconducting nanomaterials at the atomic level is crucial for optimizing devices in solar energy, catalysis, and optoelectronic applications. The study using ultrafast X-ray linear dichroism spectroscopy reveals a depletion of absorption cross sections in transient X-ray spectra due to photogenerated charge carriers screening the core-hole potential of the X-ray absorbing atom, paving the way for future research on charge transfer dynamics across heterostructured interfaces.
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Zinn, Theyencheri Narayanan, Sai Nikhilesh Kottapalli, Johannes Sachs, Thomas Sottmann, Peer Fischer
Summary: This study investigates the evolution of particle dynamics in self-propelled systems using multispeckle x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. The results show that with increased catalytic activity, the particle dynamics transition from diffusive to ballistic behavior. In the intermediate region, the dynamics are influenced by Gaussian velocity fluctuations and weaker wave vector dependence, similar to superdiffusive behavior. At the highest activity, the dynamics become purely ballistic with a Lorentzian-like distribution of velocity fluctuations.
NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
B. D. Partain, Q. Zhang, M. Unni, J. Aldrich, C. M. Rinaldi-Ramos, S. Narayanan, K. D. Allen
Summary: This study uses X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to evaluate dynamic interactions between intact cartilage and biofluids at the nanometer scale. Results show that cartilage ECM mobility varies with length scale and fluid environment, demonstrating the importance of biosolid-biofluid interactions in dictating ECM dynamics. XPCS can provide unique insights into spatially resolved cartilage ECM mobility.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chiyan Liu, Jian Liu, Yong Han, Zhangrui Wang, Hui Zhang, Xiaoming Xie, Bo Yang, Zhi Liu
Summary: The hydration process of a Nafion membrane was studied using ambient-pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS), which provided a quantitative analysis of water content and the transformation of sulfonic acid groups. The conductivity of the membrane was determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, establishing a connection between the electrical properties and the microscopic mechanism. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations provided core-level binding energies of O- and S-containing species in the Nafion + H2O system.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dario Ferreira Sanchez, Johannes Ihli, Damin Zhang, Thomas Rohrbach, Patric Zimmermann, Jinhee Lee, Camelia N. Borca, Natascha Bohlen, Daniel Grolimund, Jeroen A. van Bokhoven, Marco Ranocchiari
Summary: The introduction of structural defects in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through the fractional use of defective linkers can refine the properties of existing MOFs. Understanding the structure of defect-engineered MOFs is crucial for targeted property enhancement. Full-field X-ray absorption near-edge structure computed tomography can help visualize the chemical heterogeneity in defect-engineered MOF crystals, revealing non-uniform incorporation of defective linkers within the MOF.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Julien Gonthier, Tilman Rilling, Ernesto Scoppola, Fabian Zemke, Aleksander Gurlo, Peter Fratzl, Wolfgang Wagermaier
Summary: This study used in operando X-ray micro-computed tomography (mu CT) to monitor the progression of the liquid, gaseous, and solid phases of silica gels during ambient pressure drying and spring-back. The findings challenge the common assumption about the penetration of gas during the spring-back effect and show that the emergence of the spring-back effect is correlated to an equal volume fraction of solid, liquid, and gas in the gels.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Megan L. Shelby, Andrew Wildman, Dugan Hayes, Michael W. Mara, Patrick J. Lestrange, Marco Cammarata, Lodovico Balducci, Maxim Artamonov, Henrik T. Lemke, Diling Zhu, Tamar Seideman, Brian M. Hoffman, Xiaosong Li, Lin X. Chen
Summary: The study focused on ultrafast structural dynamics during the photodissociation of carbon monoxide from iron(II)-heme in bovine myoglobin. Experimental and computational results revealed insights into the interplay between nuclear and electronic structural dynamics. Additionally, the observation of protein quake caused by CO dissociation provides important implications for understanding gas transport and protein deligation processes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bharatraj Singh Rathore, Narendra Pal Singh Chauhan, Sapana Jadoun, Suresh C. Ameta, Rakshit Ameta
Summary: In this study, a chitosan-polyaniline-nickel (II) oxide nanocomposite was synthesized and characterized by various analytical techniques. The nanocomposite consists of NiO nanoparticles with a size of approximately 34 nm, and is composed mainly of C, O, N, and Ni on its surface. This material shows potential for advanced applications in biomedical sciences.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hilda Dinah Kyomuhimbo, Immaculate Nyambura Michira, Emmanuel Iheanyichukwu Iwuoha, Usisipho Feleni
Summary: Metal-conducting polyaniline (PANI)-based nanocomposite materials have shown promising electrical, mechanical, and optical properties. In this study, different metal-PANI nanocomposites were prepared and formed nanocomposite-based electrode platforms. The results indicate that these nanocomposites exhibit improved electrical properties and could potentially be used in electrochemical applications.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Yan Cao, Naeim Farouk, Nasser Mortezaei, Alexei Valerievich Yumashev, Majid Niaz Akhtar, Arash Arabmarkadeh
Summary: A ternary nanocomposite coated with conductive co-polymers was synthesized using microwave-assisted sol-gel and in-situ polymerization methods. The as-prepared samples were characterized using various techniques, showing excellent microwave absorption properties.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Gyanendra Panchal, Anjali Panchwanee, Manish Kumar, Katharina Fritsch, Ram Janay Choudhary, Deodutta Moreshwar Phase
Summary: By controlling the number of laser shots from two constituent phase targets in pulsed laser deposition film growth, the microstructures in vertically aligned nanocomposite thin films can be effectively tuned, leading to significantly enhanced magnetoresistance and modulated in-plane exchange bias. Additionally, a unique perpendicular exchange bias effect is observed in these heterostructures, showcasing an enhanced perpendicular exchange bias field.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sonja Timmermann, Vladimir Starostin, Anita Girelli, Anastasia Ragulskaya, Hendrik Rahmann, Mario Reiser, Nafisa Begam, Lisa Randolph, Michael Sprung, Fabian Westermeier, Fajun Zhang, Frank Schreiber, Christian Gutt
Summary: Machine learning methods are used to automatically classify X-ray photon correlation maps from protein solution experiments. The correlation maps are matched with simulated maps of liquid-liquid phase separations and interpreted in the simulation framework. This method facilitates the handling of large amounts of dynamic data.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
A. Sankar, S. Valli Chitra, M. Jayashree, M. Parthibavarman, T. Amirthavarshini
Summary: A simple hydrothermal approach was used to fabricate NiO/G nanocomposites, which exhibit hierarchical nanostructures with rich porosity and substantial specific surface area. The nanocomposites show excellent capacitance and cycle performance, making them suitable for high-geared reversible supercapacitors.
DIAMOND AND RELATED MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alejandro Sanz, Amelia Linares, Mari Cruz Garcia-Gutierrez, Aurora Nogales, Sandra Paszkiewicz, Agata Zubkiewicz, Anna Szymczyk, Tiberio A. Ezquerra
Summary: This article presents an experimental study on the relaxation dynamics of random copolymers based on bio-friendly comonomers. The study shows that these copolymers have interesting gas barrier properties, with lower dynamic fragility compared to popular polyesters used in industry. The efficient chain packing of the amorphous phase in these copolymers contributes to their low permeability to gases.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Matteo Sanviti, Daniel E. Martinez-Tong, Esther Rebollar, Tiberio A. Ezquerra, Mari Cruz Garcia-Gutierrez
Summary: By studying the thin films of polymeric blends, we can understand the phase separation and crystallization phenomena at different length scales and their reciprocal influence. The composition and structure can be adjusted to control the coating capability, mechanical properties, and electrical conductivity of the films.
Article
Polymer Science
Oscar G. Galvez, Oscar Toledano, Francisco Javier Hermoso, Amelia Linares, Mikel Sanz, Esther Rebollar, Aurora Nogales, Mari Cruz Garcia-Gutierrez, Gonzalo Santoro, Izabela Irska, Sandra Paszkiewicz, Anna Szymczyk, Tiberio A. Ezquerra
Summary: Infrared spectroscopy and Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy were used to study the dynamic characteristics of poly(trimethylene 2,5-furanoate) (PTF) and poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) below their glass transition temperatures. The results showed that PTT exhibited a multimodal beta relaxation, while PTF showed a monomodal one. The absorption bands in the infrared spectra showed small shifts in wavenumbers for both polymers, except for the band related to the stretching mode of the carbonyl group. The bands associated with -C--O stretching had different shapes, suggesting the presence of hydrogen bonds in PTF. Density Functional Theory calculations supported the experimental results, indicating an increase in the syn conformations of the 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) moiety with temperature in the amorphous state of PTF.
Article
Polymer Science
Edgar Gutierrez-Fernandez, Jose Sena-Fernandez, Esther Rebollar, Tiberio A. Ezquerra, Francisco J. Hermoso-Pinilla, Mikel Sanz, Oscar Galvez, Aurora Nogales
Summary: Ferroelectric polymer nanoparticles of PVDF were prepared using dialysis nano-precipitation. The nanoparticles showed piezoelectric response as observed by PFM. The ferroelectric behavior was attributed to the presence of ferroelectrically active crystalline phases of PVDF in the nanoparticles (mainly beta and gamma phases) as demonstrated by DSC, FTIR, and XRD. The combination of the preparation method and temperature treatment can tune the ferroelectric properties of PVDF homopolymer nanoparticles.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sandra Paszkiewicz, Izabela Irska, Agata Zubkiewicz, Konrad Walkowiak, Zbigniew Rozwadowski, Jerzy Dryzek, Amelia Linares, Aurora Nogales, Tiberio A. Ezquerra
Summary: In this study, a series of fully plant-based sustainable copolyesters, namely poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)-block-poly(caprolactone)s (PBF-block-PCL)s, were successfully synthesized by melt polycondensation. The properties of these copolyesters, including melting behavior, thermal stability, and chain dynamics, were investigated. The results showed that the addition of PCL improved the thermal and thermo-oxidative stability and increased the flexibility of the chain, resulting in changes in mechanical properties. The synthesis method described in this study offers a facile approach to obtaining novel fully multiblock biobased copolyesters with potential industrial implementation capabilities.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Konrad Walkowiak, Sandra Paszkiewicz, Izabela Irska, Agnieszka Kochmanska, Kamil Dydek, Anna Boczkowska, Rafal Stanik, Mike Gude, Amelia Linares, Tiberio Ezquerra
Summary: Bionanocomposites based on PTF-b-F-PTMO block copolymers with different nanoparticles were synthesized and their properties were studied. The dispersion of nanoparticles, thermal properties, melt viscosity, mechanical properties, and conductivity were analyzed. The synthesized materials showed elastomeric behavior and improved mechanical properties compared to the neat matrix. These reinforced bionanocomposites have potential applications in fuel systems, bumpers, and cupholders.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Patricia Martinez-Garcia, Esther Rebollar, Aurora Nogales, Mari Cruz Garcia-Gutierrez, Jose Sena-Fernandez, Tiberio A. Ezquerra
Summary: Fused filament fabrication, or 3D printing, and polymer nanopatterning by nanolithographic techniques are widely used in various fields, but they have not yet found a common niche for development. This study demonstrates the feasibility and potential convenience of combining these two technologies by using conventional 3D printing to create nanostructured polymer surfaces without the need for clean room conditions.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Optics
Javier Prada-Rodrigo, Rene Rodriguez-Beltran, Tiberio A. Ezquerra, Pablo Moreno, Esther Rebollar
Summary: A study investigates the formation of Laser Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films deposited over gold substrates using near-infrared femtosecond pulsed laser irradiation. The influence of gold substrate roughness and PET film thickness on LIPSS formation is analyzed through computer simulations and experimental observations. The study suggests that the formation and behavior of Surface Plasmon Polariton (SPP) at the film-substrate interface are the leading mechanism contributing to LIPSS formation.
OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mario Ivan Penas, Miryam Criado-Gonzalez, Antxon Martinez de Ilarduya, Araceli Flores, Jean-Marie Raquez, Rosica Mincheva, Alejandro J. Mueller, Rebeca Hernandez
Summary: This study presents two strategies to regulate the enzymatic degradation of PBS films. One is to add multilayer coats of polysaccharide alginate and chitosan to the PBS films, and the other is to embed lipase-filled alginate particles in the PBS films. The results show that the number of protective coating layers and the amount of encapsulated enzyme affect the degradation extent of PBS films.
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Luis Andres Perez, Rebeca Hernandez, Jose Maria Alonso, Raul Perez-Gonzalez, Virginia Saez-Martinez
Summary: Granular polymer hydrogels based on dynamic covalent bonds have gained significant interest for designing injectable biomaterials. These materials exhibit shear-thinning behavior and have the ability to self-heal/recover after extrusion, which can be controlled through interactions between gel microparticles. This study focuses on producing bulk macro-hydrogels using thiolated-hyaluronic acid and disulphide bond formation with oxygen as an oxidant under physiological conditions. The resulting granular hyaluronic hydrogels show potential as stable injectable biomaterials with the ability to form filaments when extruded through a syringe.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jing Cui, Esther Rebollar, Tiberio Ezquerra, Aurora Nogales
Summary: Bilayers of ferroelectric polymers (PVDF-TrFE) on P3HT substrates were prepared and the formation of holes and continuous layers was observed. The surface tension of the different P3HT substrates was obtained through contact angle measurements. The study provides understanding on the mechanism of stable film formation and effective tools to control the formation of holes in functional polymer bilayers, which is important in the fabrication of organic thin film-based devices.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jing Cui, Aurora Nogales, Tiberio A. Ezquerra, Esther Rebollar
Summary: A bilayer approach is used to create laser-induced periodic surface structures on polymer thin films, even without light absorption at the laser's wavelength. The technique involves nanosctructuring a layer of poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) using 532 nm laser irradiation, and then covering it with a thin layer of a non-absorbing polymer called poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoro ethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)), resulting in a grating-like structure on the surface. The thickness range of the upper layer that leads to the formation of these structures has been determined, and it has been found that a thickness greater than 40 nm inhibits the formation of periodic structures due to mechanical restrictions on P3HT rearrangement. The upper nanostructured surface layer also displays ferroelectric properties.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
