Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marcel Maslyk, Zsolt Dallos, Martha Koziol, Sebastian Seiffert, Tim Hieke, Katharina Petrovio, Ute Kolb, Mihail Mondeshki, Wolfgang Tremel
Summary: This study presents a fast and sustainable method to produce bassanite, an important construction material, by solvent-assisted milling, which eliminates the need for energy-intensive dehydration. The resulting bassanite nanocrystals can be stabilized and applied in hybrid materials.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marcel Maslyk, Tobias Gaeb, Galina Matveeva, Phil Opitz, Mihail Mondeshki, Yasar Krysiak, Ute Kolb, Wolfgang Tremel
Summary: The study demonstrates that CO2 emissions during clinker production of cement can be reduced by utilizing a metathesis reaction at room temperature in ball-mills. This method involves forming aNaSiCC, an amorphous intermediate, by mechanochemical activation of CaCO3 and Na2SiO3. It helps understand the interplay between thermodynamics and kinetics in complex reactions of alkali-activated binders and for CaCO3 crystallization in industrial and geochemical settings.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Sergii Shylin, Sergiu Shova, Helena J. Shepherd, Vadim Ksenofontov, Wolfgang Tremel, Il'ya A. Gural'skiy
Summary: We report on a molecular cationic iron(ii) complex with an incomplete spin crossover (SCO) behavior. The complex has an unusual disordered structure and a linear arrangement of ligand and water molecules, potentially accommodating up to four iron atoms. Through magnetic susceptibility measurements and Mossbauer spectroscopy, the thermal-induced SCO behavior of iron cations in the complex has been characterized.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ronald E. Unger, Sanja Stojanovic, Laura Besch, Said Alkildani, Romina Schroeder, Ole Jung, Caroline Bogram, Oliver Goerke, Stevo Najman, Wolfgang Tremel, Mike Barbeck
Summary: The study demonstrated that hydrogels containing nano-vaterite particles are biocompatible and beneficial for bone tissue regeneration. Tissue pathological and immunohistochemical detection showed the influence of hydrogels on macrophages, promoting tissue integration.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Philip Dreier, Achilleas Pipertzis, Marianna Spyridakou, Robin Mathes, George Floudas, Holger Frey
Summary: This study reports the development of single-ion-conducting polymer electrolytes (SICPEs) based on polystyrene and multifunctional poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymers. The SICPE material was obtained by synthesizing a precursor copolymer with randomly distributed hydroxyl functional groups and subsequently substituting the hydroxyl groups with BOC-protected TFSA functionalities. The obtained SICPE showed superior ionic conductivity and comparable Li-ion conductivity compared to the reference materials.
Review
Polymer Science
Marvin Steube, Tobias Johann, Ramona D. Barent, Axel H. E. Mueller, Holger Frey
Summary: Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) combine the characteristics of vulcanized rubbers and thermoplastic materials, resulting in soft, flexible, and resilient properties. Various polymerization strategies have been successfully used to synthesize TPE materials on an industrial scale. This review focuses on multiblock structures and gradient copolymers, discussing key parameters of molecular architecture for designing tailored TPE materials.
PROGRESS IN POLYMER SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rebecca Matthes, Holger Frey
Summary: Short-chain alkyl glycidyl ethers (SCAGEs) can be polymerized to produce biocompatible polyethers with adjustable hydrophilicity. By incorporating hydrophobic side chains into linear polyglycerol, the aqueous solubility and lower critical solution temperature (LCST) can be controlled. The resulting poly(glycidyl ether)s maintain the chemically inert character similar to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The hydrophilicity and thermoresponsive behavior of these polyethers can be tailored by combining different SCAGEs or incorporating PEG as a hydrophilic block.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Eftyxis Galanos, Marvin Steube, Hans-Juergen Butt, Holger Frey, George Floudas
Summary: This study reports the ordering kinetics of a tapered tetrablock copolymer for the first time, showing distinct differences compared to a conventional diblock copolymer. The impact of fluctuations on the order-to-disorder transition in tapered copolymers and the role of structural defects are discussed.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eva Puetz, Athanasios Gazanis, Nils Gert Keltsch, Olga Jegel, Felix Pfitzner, Ralf Heermann, Thomas A. Ternes, Wolfgang Tremel
Summary: Bacterial biofilm formation is a significant problem and the discovery of anti-biofilm agents, such as CeO2 nanocrystals, that interfere with the bacterial cell-cell communication process known as quorum sensing (QS), shows promise. These nanocrystals were found to be effective in inhibiting QS signals through bromination reactions, preventing biofilm formation and controlling the expression of virulence genes. This non-toxic strategy could be a valuable approach for the development of anti-infectives.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Eva Puetz, Ina Tutzschky, Hajo Frerichs, Wolfgang Tremel
Summary: Designing catalyst particles at the nanometer scale can enhance their performance. Nanoceria, as a functional mimic of haloperoxidases, demonstrated the in situ generation of H2O2 and significantly enhanced catalytic activity through Bi3+ substitution.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Ashraf, Nisar Ullah, Ibrahim Khan, Wolfgang Tremel, Shahzada Ahmad, Muhammad Nawaz Tahir
Summary: Renewable energy is crucial for environmental sustainability, and sunlight-driven fuel synthesis through water splitting is a sustainable and economical method. However, the water oxidation half-reaction in photocatalytic water splitting is challenging and requires designer photocatalysts. Photoreforming can address these challenges and convert waste plastics and biomass into valuable organic products for H2 production. This article provides an overview of photoreforming, including its mechanisms and the use of different polymer wastes as substrates for photocatalysts.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
N. G. Keltsch, E. Puetz, C. Dietrich, A. Wick, W. Tremel, T. A. Ternes
Summary: This study investigates the bromination behavior of three quorum sensing molecules with different molecule moieties and explores the mechanism and possible influence of vanadium bromoperoxidase and cerium dioxide nanocrystals on bacterial communication system. It is found that the halogenation of quorum sensing molecules can be catalyzed by haloperoxidase and cerium dioxide nanocrystals. The degradation behavior of different molecule moieties of quorum sensing molecules is elucidated, showing fast degradation and molecule-specific transformations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Ashraf, Roshan Ali, Ibrahim Khan, Nisar Ullah, Muhammad Sohail Ahmad, Tetsuya Kida, Sanghyuk Wooh, Wolfgang Tremel, Udo Schwingenschlogl, Muhammad Nawaz Tahir
Summary: This study reports the use of highly reduced graphene oxide (HRG) to engineer the bandgap of melon, improving its performance in photocatalytic reactions. Experimental results show that the addition of HRG significantly increases the photocurrent density, and this is validated by theoretical calculations.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marcel Maslyk, Mihail Mondeshki, Wolfgang Tremel
Summary: Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) is a precursor in the biomineralization of crystalline CaCO3, and its lifetime is regulated by biomacromolecules. We developed a method to prepare monohydrate-like ACC (aCCM) using ethanol as auxiliary solvent. The amorphization reaction was analyzed using various scattering methods and spectroscopies coupled with thermal analysis. The study showed that by temporarily replacing structural water with ethanol, the metastable aCCM could be stabilized, and the absence of hydrogen bonding in the hydrate network was crucial in the process.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Phil Opitz, Olga Jegel, Jamal Nasir, Tobias Rios-Studer, Athanasios Gazanis, Dang-Hieu Pham, Katrin Domke, Ralf Heermann, Joern Schmedt auf der Guenne, Wolfgang Tremel
Summary: Marine organisms combat bacterial colonization by biohalogenation of signaling compounds. Nanoceria can emulate the activity of haloperoxidase enzymes. Lanthanide substitution greatly enhances the haloperoxidase-like activity of nanoceria. This method offers an efficient antifouling application without the need for additional chemicals.