Article
Spectroscopy
Jennifer Huidobro, Julene Aramendia, Cristina Garcia-Florentino, Iratxe Poblacion, Kepa Castro, Gorka Arana, Juan Manuel Madariaga
Summary: In this study, the geochemical properties of Martian shergottite LAR 12095 were analyzed using micro-Raman and micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopies. Olivine, pyroxene, and ilmenite were identified as primary minerals from Mars, while secondary minerals such as maskelynite, hematite, and anatase, among others, were also detected. The main significance of this research lies in the ability to observe the alteration of sulfur-bearing minerals under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Furthermore, the presence of ilmenite, mackinawite, elemental sulfur, and jarosite in this meteorite was reported for the first time.
JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Itziar Prieto-delaVega, Cristina Garcia-Florentino, Imanol Torre-Fdez, Jennifer Huidobro, Julene Aramendia, Gorka Arana, Kepa Castro, Juan Manuel Madariaga
Summary: This study characterized the mineral phases of NWA 10628 using micro-Raman spectroscopy and micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence imaging. Various minerals and their potential evolutionary processes were identified in the meteorite.
JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yunhua Wu, Weibiao Hsu, Shiyong Liao, Zhiyong Xiao, Xiaochao Che, Lili Pan, Ye Li, Shaolin Li
Summary: NWA 13581 is a newly found gabbroic rock on Mars, providing important insights into the mantle sources and magmatic evolution of shergottites. It shares similar characteristics with other enriched shergottites, suggesting a common process in their mantle reservoir and during crystallization. The textural and mineralogical diversities of shergottites are largely related to crystallization at different crustal levels.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Marine Paquet, James M. D. Day, Arya Udry, Ruan Hattingh, Ben Kumler, Rachel R. Rahib, Kimberly T. Tait, Clive R. Neal
Summary: The composition and abundance data of sulfides in Shergottite meteorites were studied, showing that sulfide grains in depleted and intermediate Shergottites have high HSE abundances, while sulfide grains in enriched Shergottites contain elements such as gold, palladium, and rhodium. The new findings suggest that the martian mantle and its partial melts are likely similar to or slightly higher in sulfur content compared to the Earth's mantle and its partial melts.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Robert W. Nicklas, James M. D. Day, Zoltan Vaci, Arya Udry, Yang Liu, Kimberly T. Tait
Summary: Martian meteorites provide crucial insights into the geological evolution of Mars, with different compositions showing varying ranges of oxygen fugacity likely due to early magmatic processes. Research indicates significant differences in oxygen fugacity between shergottites and chassignites, contributing to the understanding of the oxidation relationship between the Martian mantle and core.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
William S. Cassata, Kevin J. Zahnle, Kyle M. Samperton, Peter C. Stephenson, Josh Wimpenny
Summary: Trapped paleoatmospheric xenon in Martian regolith breccia NWA 11220 shows mass-dependent fractionation relative to solar xenon, indicating that atmospheric xenon fractionation persisted for hundreds of millions of years. Ionic xenon escape, coupled with a partially ionized hydrogen or oxygen wind, provides a simple explanation for this phenomenon, requiring a high carrier ion flux and a structured planetary magnetic field.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
J. R. Elliott, H. J. Melosh, B. C. Johnson
Summary: Through simulation experiments, we found that dry tuff produces significantly smaller fragments than basalt on the Martian surface. We also discovered that a layer of basalt inhibits ejection, while a layer of tuff enhances ejection and increases fragment sizes of dry tuff. Boulders create a complex pressure field in the near-surface region, but fragment sizes remain relatively unchanged.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Tomohiro Usui, Kevin Righter, Charles K. Shearer, John H. Jones
Summary: The variations of Ni and Co in primary martian magmas exhibit abnormal incompatible behavior. Sulfur may have a small effect on Co partitioning, but not enough to change it from compatible to incompatible. Nearly 8000 ppm of sulfur would be required in the melt at liquidus temperature for Co partitioning to become incompatible in a martian mantle source region.
AMERICAN MINERALOGIST
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Iori Kajitani, Mizuho Koike, Ryoichi Nakada, Gaku Tanabe, Tomohiro Usui, Fumihiro Matsu'ura, Keisuke Fukushi, Tetsuya Yokoyama
Summary: This study presents the first sulfur (S) speciation analysis of carbonates in the Martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001, providing evidence for the formation of carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS) in the aqueous environment of early Mars. The findings suggest that significant amounts of atmospheric volatiles may have been stored as alteration products in the Martian underground system.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
V. Fortier, V. Debaille, V. Dehant, B. Bultel
Summary: A flexible powder analog system has been developed to mimic a non-altered martian rock, focusing on serpentinization and abiotic methane formation experiments under martian conditions. The system can also be used to create analogs of other martian landscapes and test detection interferences and the sensitivity of multiple analytic techniques.
PLANETARY AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Chelsea D. Willett, William S. Cassata, Naomi E. Marks
Summary: Novel analytical approaches were used to determine the trapped Ar-38/Ar-36 ratio in Martian meteorites. The study analyzed Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 and paired stone NWA 11220. The results indicate significant mass-dependent fractionation of atmospheric Ar within 150 million years of planetary formation, possibly due to diffusion-limited hydrodynamic escape. The data suggest that volatile gases from planetary outgassing and/or impactors may play a dominant role in the abundance of atmospheric Ar.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yunhua Wu, Weibiao Hsu, Qiu-Li Li, Xiaochao Che, Shiyong Liao
Summary: Shergottites are derived from mantle reservoirs through various magmatic processes, recording geochemical signatures of the martian mantle. In this study, in situ U-Pb and/or Pb-Pb analyses on minerals of the basaltic shergottite Northwest Africa (NWA) 8653 were conducted after detailed petrological and mineralogical studies. The results suggest that NWA 8653 is an enriched shergottite derived from mixing of depleted and enriched components in the mantle, with a young crystallization age and isotopic heterogeneity likely caused by mixing of Pb from different reservoirs in the mantle.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Jean-Christophe Viennet, Sylvain Bernard, Corentin Le Guillou, Violaine Sautter, Brian Gregoire, Albert Jambon, Sylvain Pont, Olivier Beyssac, Brigitte Zanda, Roger Hewins, Laurent Remusat
Summary: Mars was habitable in its early history but is now seen as inhospitable. Magmatic clay minerals found in Martian meteorites may have provided niches for emerging life throughout Mars' history, regardless of the presence of liquid water at the surface.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
J. R. Darling, L. F. White, T. Kizovski, A. Cernok, D. E. Moser, K. T. Tait, J. Dunlop, B. Langelier, J. O. Douglas, X. Zhao, I. A. Franchi, M. Anand
Summary: The chlorine isotopic records in calcium-phosphate minerals of highly shocked shergottite Northwest Africa (NWA) 5298 were evaluated to understand the effects of shock metamorphic processes. The results show significant effects of shock metamorphism on chemical and chlorine isotopic records, with findings suggesting the ability to isolate endogenous volatile-element records from magmatic and near-surface processes as well as exogenous, shock-related effects. High spatial resolution analytical techniques provide detailed insights into the complex nanostructural features associated with shock metamorphism.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sarah C. Steele, Roger R. Fu, Michael W. R. Volk, Thomas L. North, Alec R. Brenner, Adrian R. Muxworthy, Gareth S. Collins, Thomas M. Davison
Summary: The study of the ALH 84001 meteorite suggests that it may preserve a magnetic record of the Martian dynamo from 4.1 billion years ago. By analyzing igneous Fe-sulfides in the meteorite using a quantum diamond microscope, it was found that there are strongly magnetized ferromagnetic mineral assemblages in two nearly opposite directions. This implies that the meteorite recorded strong fields after impact heating between 4.1 and 3.95 billion years ago and was later heterogeneously remagnetized by at least one further impact.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ilaria Lucentini, German Garcia Colli, Carlos Luzi, Isabel Serrano, Lluis Soler, Nuria J. Divins, Osvaldo Miguel Martinez, Jordi Llorca
Summary: The study focuses on preparing 3D-printed ceria structures via robocasting, impregnating them with Ni and Ru for catalytic decomposition of ammonia, validating the proposed model through simulations and experimental data comparison.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shiva Fazlikeshteli, Xavier Vendrell, Jordi Llorca
Summary: Monometallic Pd and Ni and bimetallic Pd-Ni catalysts supported on CeO2 were prepared and tested for syngas production by the partial oxidation of methane. Bimetallic Pd-Ni/CeO2 catalysts exhibited higher methane conversion and syngas yield compared to monometallic Ni/CeO2 and Pd/CeO2. The bimetallic catalysts prepared by ball milling showed syngas production at lower temperatures. Various preparation parameters were examined, and the best performance was achieved with a bimetallic catalyst prepared at 50 Hz for 20 min, containing only 0.12 wt% Pd and 1.38 wt% Ni. Stability tests demonstrated superior stability for mechanochemically prepared bimetallic Pd-Ni/CeO2 catalysts. The results suggest that the impressive dispersion of metal species and strong interaction with the CeO2 surface contribute to the improved performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
M. D. Suttle, L. Folco, Z. Dionnet, M. Van Ginneken, T. Di Rocco, A. Pack, M. Scheel, A. Rotundi
Summary: In this study, 3D images of micrometeorite interiors were obtained using tomography, and the textures in unmelted micrometeorites were linked to known chondrite groups. In addition to ordinary chondrites, CR and CM chondrites, two micrometeorites derived from an anomalous O-16-poor source were identified, representing hydrated carbonaceous chondrite material possibly from a new group or from CY chondrites.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
David O. Zakharov, Johanna Marin-Carbonne, Andreas Pack, Tommaso Di Rocco, Martin Robyr, Torsten Vennemann
Summary: This study investigates the influence of marine diagenesis on the isotope composition of cherts obtained from deep-sea drilling. The results reveal significant ambiguity in interpreting seawater evolution due to the complex effect of diagenesis. The study also highlights the correlation between isotopic composition and petrographic features of cherts.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jaroslaw Serafin, Jordi Llorca
Summary: In this study, four different nanoshapes of cerium dioxide were prepared and decorated with various metals. Adding metals to cerium dioxide enhanced its ability to release oxygen and reduce CO2. The best catalyst, 2% Ni/CeO2-rods prepared by ball milling, showed the highest CO2 splitting value (412 μmol/g(cat)) and confirmed its good redox ability with H-2 consumption (453.2 μmol/g(cat)).
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Quentin Lenne, Zaynab Atyf, Jalal Ghilane
Summary: Immobilizing thin organic layers with specific functional groups onto materials is a key strategy for controlling properties and developing task-specific surfaces. Recent attention has been given to the combination of ionic liquids (ILs) and diazonium compounds to create organized interfaces. This review explores the grafting procedures of diazonium in IL, including electrochemical assisted grafting, and highlights the properties of the resulting layers and the advantages of using IL as a grafting medium.
CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Andrea Braga, Marina Armengol-Profitos, Laia Pascua-Sole, Xavier Vendrell, Lluis Soler, Isabel Serrano, Ignacio J. Villar-Garcia, Virginia Perez-Dieste, Nuria J. Divins, Jordi Llorca
Summary: The catalytic performance and mechanism of Ni-Fe nanocatalysts supported on CeO2 for methane steam reforming were investigated. It was found that the dry ball milling method resulted in a higher amount of defective carbon on the surface of the catalysts, which improved their coke resistance.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Eleonora Aneggi, Filippo Campagnolo, Daniele Zuccaccia, Walter Baratta, Jordi Llorca, Alessandro Trovarelli
Summary: This study investigates the solvent-free oxidation of benzyl alcohol using air as an oxidant in the presence of ruthenium supported on alumina and zirconia. The catalyst shows good activity and complete selectivity, meeting the requirements for atom economy and environmental sustainability. The materials are stable and maintain high activity after recycling.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abdulaziz Aldureid, Daniel Montane, Jordi Llorca, Francesc Medina
Summary: Ni-Mg/Al mixed oxide catalysts derived from LDHs exhibited excellent performance in the one-pot production of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol (TFA) from furfural (FF).
CHEMISTRY-SWITZERLAND
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sonia Garcia-Gomez, Javier Gimenez, Ignasi Casas, Jordi Llorca, Joan De Pablo
Summary: The influence of GdIII doping on the surface oxidation of UO2 was investigated in situ by XPS. It was found that doping UO2 with Gd2O3 completely inhibited the oxidation of UO2 in absence of porosity. However, for porous samples, the oxidation of UO2 in presence of Gd2O3 depended strongly on the surrounding gas atmosphere.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
David Bajnai, Andreas Pack, Fiorella Arduin Rode, Malte Seefeld, Jakub Surma, Tommaso Di Rocco
Summary: This article describes an adaptable dual inlet system and laser spectroscopy technique for accurate measurement of the triple oxygen isotope composition, which can be applied to the study of air CO2 and carbonates.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nuria Martin, Francisco G. Cirujano, Eduardo Garcia-Verdugo, Jordi Llorca, Enrique del Rio, Ignacio Jimenez-Morales, Adrian Bogeat-Barroso, Elena Lopez-Maya, Mayra G. Alvarez
Summary: The introduction of iron ionic sites by metal exchange improves the activity of nickel materials and enables control over hydrogen peroxide activation.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shasha Ge, Yufen Chen, Xuan Tang, Yali Shen, Yang Lou, Li Wang, Yun Guo, Jordi Llorca
Summary: In this study, Pt nanoparticles with different morphologies were loaded on CeO2 catalysts to investigate their effect on the oxidation of propane. The Pt/CeO2 catalyst with {111} facets showed higher catalytic activity compared to the Pt/CeO2 catalyst with {110} and {100} facets. XPS and DRIFTS analysis revealed that the excellent performance of Pt/CeO2 catalyst with {111} facets is attributed to the prevalence of metallic Pt species, which promotes C-C bond cleavage and facilitates the removal of surface formate species. The findings of this study provide insights into the mechanism of propane oxidation on different nanoshaped Pt/CeO2 catalysts.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tijani Hammedi, Rahma Bensouilah, Abdelkader Ouakouak, Jordi Llorca, Francisco Medina Cabello, Zouhaier Ksibi
Summary: This study investigated the catalytic wet air oxidation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid using Ru-based catalysts supported on various materials. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were analyzed using various characterization techniques. The presence of cerium was found to enhance the catalytic activity by increasing the surface-active oxygen through a redox process.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Sonia Garcia-Gomez, Javier Gimenez, Ignasi Casas, Jordi Llorca, Joan De Pablo
Summary: The dissolution rates of non-doped UO2 and UO2 doped with Gd2O3 were studied under different pH conditions. It was found that non-doped UO2 had a low dissolution rate under high alkaline conditions but increased significantly when the pH decreased to 9. XPS analysis confirmed the effect of bicarbonate on the dissolution of UO2. The doping of Gd2O3 did not affect the dissolution rates, and it was attributed to the retardation of U(v) oxidation by gadolinium.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)