Review
Chemistry, Physical
Zhangying Xu, Zihao Ou
Summary: The crystallization pathways in materials have been traditionally studied through classical methods, but recent advancements in nanoscale microscopy techniques have allowed for the visualization of crystal nucleation and growth at the nanoscale. This review summarizes several crystallization pathways observed through liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy and compares them with computer simulations. Besides the classical nucleation pathway, nonclassical pathways such as formation of amorphous clusters, nucleation of crystalline phase from amorphous intermediates, and transition between multiple crystalline structures are highlighted. The importance of theory and simulation in understanding experimental systems is emphasized, and the challenges and future perspectives for investigating nanoscale crystallization pathways with in situ imaging techniques are discussed, along with potential applications in biomineralization and protein self-assembly research.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tae Gyu Yun, Yelyn Sim, Younghwan Lim, Dongho Kim, Ji-Sang An, Hyungdoh Lee, Yingge Du, Sung-Yoon Chung
Summary: This paper discusses the electrochemical electrolysis with aqueous electrolyte, focusing on the oxygen evolution reaction at the anode side. It identifies four significant origins affecting the stability of oxide-based OER catalysts and emphasizes the importance of research in this area.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hongjun Ye, Siwei Gui, Zaifa Wang, Jingzhao Chen, Qiunan Liu, Xuedong Zhang, Peng Jia, Yushu Tang, Tingting Yang, Congcong Du, Lin Geng, Hui Li, Qiushi Dai, Yongfu Tang, Liqiang Zhang, Hui Yang, Jianyu Huang
Summary: The solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) is a crucial but poorly understood component in rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Recent research has utilized various techniques to evaluate the mechanical properties of SEI materials, providing new insights into their importance and mechanical behavior.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Amal S. Albedwawi, Reem Al Sakkaf, Tareq M. Osaili, Ahmed Yusuf, Amin Olaimat, Shao-Quan Liu, Giovanni Palmisano, Nagendra P. Shah, Mutamed M. Ayyash
Summary: This paper investigated the ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and Bifidobacterium to remove acrylamide (AA) and examined the mechanism(s) of the AA removal using various microscopic techniques. The results showed that Bifidobacterium breve and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum exhibited higher acrylamide reduction rates. The study also found that both strains could tolerate low pH levels and remove acrylamide under in vitro gastrointestinal conditions.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kewu Bai, Ming Lin
Summary: Understanding the precipitation/dissolution of metal borides in the transient liquid phase bonding process of Ni-based alloys is crucial. This study constructed a micro/nanoscale map of the precipitated metal borides in Ni-based Inconel 718 superalloy using high-throughput TEM analysis, and identified five types of metal borides. A hybrid modeling approach integrating first-principles calculation and TEM experiments was used to rationalize the crystal structure of the faulted M5B3. The developed thermo-kinetic model enables the design of the TLP bonding process involving complicated time-temperature schedules and precipitation/dissolution of various phases.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Meirong Li, Lan Ling
Summary: Visualizing liquid structures and processes at the nanoscale is crucial for understanding environmental research. LP-S/TEM is becoming an increasingly indispensable tool for visualizing dynamic environmental processes.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Wenbo Wang, Kaiwen Wang, Zhengyu Zhang, Jia Chen, Tianyou Mou, F. Marc Michel, Hongliang Xin, Wenjun Cai
Summary: The study demonstrated that nanostructured metallic multilayers (NMMs) exhibit ultrahigh tribocorrosion resistance due to abundant interfaces and nanoscale chemical modulation. The experimental and computational study provides guidance for future material selection and design of multilayered and multi-phase metals for use under extreme environment. Through nanolayering, the surface work function of Al was increased while Cl adatoms adsorb less strongly than that on pure Al, reducing surface reactivity and pitting susceptibility.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sung Bo Lee, Jinwook Jung, Heung Nam Han
Summary: This study demonstrates that under electron-beam irradiation in transmission electron microscopy, gold (Au) thin film specimens undergo a transition from face-centered cubic (fcc) to body-centered cubic (bcc) structure, without the need for high temperature and pressure. The selectively thinned regions in the Au thin film specimens are heated due to the localization of energy deposition by electronic excitations, possibly caused by Auger decays. The phase transition to the bcc structure is facilitated by the thin film morphology and stabilized by crystal defects and stress development.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Peter Tieu, Xingxu Yan, Mingjie Xu, Phillip Christopher, Xiaoqing Pan
Summary: The development of single atom catalysts (SACs) with carefully controlled properties has been driven by the need for atom efficient catalysts. Advances in transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, including aberration correction, spectroscopy, and in situ/operando observation, have enabled researchers to study SACs at an atomic scale, providing crucial information about their location, characteristics, and stability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jin-Hu Dou, Maxx Q. Arguilla, Yi Luo, Jian Li, Weizhe Zhang, Lei Sun, Jenna L. Mancuso, Luming Yang, Tianyang Chen, Lucas R. Parent, Grigorii Skorupskii, Nicole J. Libretto, Chenyue Sun, Min Chieh Yang, Phat Vinh Dip, Edward J. Brignole, Jeffrey T. Miller, Jing Kong, Christopher H. Hendon, Junliang Sun, Mircea Dinca
Summary: Researchers have successfully grown single crystals of 2D metal-organic frameworks up to 200 µm in size by balancing in-plane and out-of-plane interactions, revealing anisotropic transport and a clear correlation between conductivity and the nature of the metal cation in the sheets.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi-Chi Wang, Thomas J. A. Slater, Gerard M. Leteba, Candace I. Lang, Zhong Lin Wang, Sarah J. Haigh
Summary: Tailoring the composition and morphology of nanoparticles is crucial for improving their catalytic performance. This study presents an in situ 3D imaging methodology using single particle reconstruction (SPR) that allows for the investigation of structural transformations and elemental redistribution in nanoparticles. The methodology is applied to study the restructuring of PtNi nanoparticles at elevated temperatures and reveals a transition from a disordered to an ordered phase. The changes in structure and elemental distribution are correlated with a decrease in catalytic activity. This in situ SPR methodology can be extended to study nanoparticle evolution in various environments.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Mei Wang, Asher C. Leff, Yue Li, Taylor J. Woehl
Summary: This study successfully demonstrated the in situ controlled synthesis of alloyed AuCu nanocrystals under LP-TEM, while maintaining the molecular structure of metal thiolate complexes. The research revealed that polymer capping ligands not only have known functions during LP-TEM synthesis, but also prevent copper oxidation and facilitate the formation of prenucleation cluster intermediates.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Asuka Nakamura, Takahiro Shimojima, Kyoko Ishizaka
Summary: The sub-micrometer guided acoustic waves in a nanofabricated ultrathin silicon plate were observed and characterized using ultrafast transmission electron microscopy. The results highlight the potential of this technique in characterizing acoustic modes in various nanostructures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Micha Ben-Naim, Yunzhi Liu, Michaela Burke Stevens, Kyuho Lee, Melissa R. Wette, Alexey Boubnov, Artem A. Trofimov, Anton V. Ievlev, Alex Belianinov, Ryan C. Davis, Bruce M. Clemens, Simon R. Bare, Yasuyuki Hikita, Harold Y. Hwang, Drew C. Higgins, Robert Sinclair, Thomas F. Jaramillo
Summary: This study investigates the stability of SrIrO3 thin film electrocatalyst materials using advanced nanoscale microscopy techniques and complementary structural and chemical characterization. Accelerated degradation tests under anodic potential show thinning and roughening of the SrIrO3 film, while the lateral distribution of Sr and Ir remains homogeneous. A layer-wise dissolution mechanism is hypothesized, shedding light on the stability of this electrocatalyst.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tobias Foller, Rahman Daiyan, Xiaoheng Jin, Joshua Leverett, Hangyel Kim, Richard Webster, Jeaniffer E. Yap, Xinyue Wen, Aditya Rawal, K. Kanishka H. De Silva, Masamichi Yoshimura, Heriberto Bustamante, Shery L. Y. Chang, Priyank Kumar, Yi You, Gwan-Hyoung Lee, Rose Amal, Rakesh Joshi
Summary: Studies have shown that the properties of graphene oxide (GO) can be improved by increasing its graphitic domain size through thermal diffusion and clustering of functional groups. The integrity of the functional groups during this process has been confirmed through comprehensive chemical analysis. Additionally, the sheet resistance of GO can be reduced by several orders of magnitude during mild thermal annealing.