Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Rudy Wojtecki, Jonathan Ma, Isvar Cordova, Noel Arellano, Krystelle Lionti, Teddie Magbitang, Thomas G. Pattison, Xiao Zhao, Eugene Delenia, Nicholas Lanzillo, Alexander E. Hess, Noah Fine Nathel, Holt Bui, Charles Rettner, Gregory Wallraff, Patrick Naulleau
Summary: The research combines area-selective deposition (ASD) with a patternable organic monolayer to form a versatile additive lithography platform. By using hydroxamic acid self-assembled monolayers, the study achieved line space patterns as small as 50 nm and optimized dose sensitivity through density functional theory. The imaging mechanism involving improved deposition inhibition and the novel bottom-up lithography approach are revealed.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Zhao-yang Zhang, Tao Li
Summary: Molecular-scale electronics is an emerging research field that aims to achieve electronic functions using single molecules and their monolayer assemblies. Advances in fabricating SAM devices and optimizing their performance can lead to practical applications in molecular electronics. Conjugated polymers show distinct advantages in SAM devices, outperforming small molecular materials in optoelectronic functions such as on-off ratios for switches.
ACTA POLYMERICA SINICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cristian Gabellini, Maria Sologan, Elena Pellizzoni, Domenico Marson, Mario Daka, Paola Franchi, Luca Bignardi, Stefano Franchi, Zbysek Posel, Alessandro Baraldi, Paolo Pengo, Marco Lucarini, Lucia Pasquato, Paola Posocco
Summary: Organic-inorganic nanomaterials are versatile platforms with wide application areas. We introduce a general methodology to identify and classify local molecular environments in self-assembled monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles (SAM-AuNPs), and explore factors influencing the number and nature of these environments. This work is important for understanding and designing hybrid nanoconstructs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alex Henning, Johannes D. Bartl, Andreas Zeidler, Simon Qian, Oliver Bienek, Chang-Ming Jiang, Claudia Paulus, Bernhard Rieger, Martin Stutzmann, Ian D. Sharp
Summary: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a crucial tool in semiconductor device fabrication for precise control over thin film growth. However, challenges in creating continuous monolayers exist due to surface inhomogeneities and precursor steric interactions. This study demonstrates the encapsulation of c-plane gallium nitride with extremely thin aluminum oxide through ALD, offering new possibilities for controlling charge transport and tailoring surface chemistry in semiconductor devices.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shakil N. N. Afraj, Chun-Hsiao Kuan, Jian-Sing Lin, Jen-Shyang Ni, Arulmozhi Velusamy, Ming-Chou Chen, Eric Wei-Guang Diau
Summary: Four X-shaped quinoxaline-based organic dyes, PQx (1), TQx, (2), PQxD (3), and TQxD (4), are developed as p-type self-assemble monolayer (SAM) for tin perovskite solar cells (TPSC). The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties of these SAMs are thoroughly investigated. Tin perovskite layers are successfully deposited on these SAM surfaces using a two-step approach, and the achieved device performance follows the order of TQxD (8.3%) > TQx (8.0%) > PQxD (7.1%) > PQx (6.1%). Among them, TQxD (4), with a thiophene pi-extended conjugation unit in the SAM structure, exhibits the highest hole extraction rates, greatest hole mobilities, and slowest charge recombination, leading to the best reported efficiency of 8.3% for SAM-based TPSC. Moreover, all devices except PQx show good enduring stability, retaining approximately 90% of their original values after 1600 hours of shelf storage.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Nga Phung, Marcel Verheijen, Anna Todinova, Kunal Datta, Michael Verhage, Amran Al-Ashouri, Hans Koebler, Xin Li, Antonio Abate, Steve Albrecht, Mariadriana Creatore
Summary: Metal halide perovskites have excellent electronic properties, and recent advancements in device performance and stability of perovskite solar cells have been achieved with the application of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). By introducing an intermediate layer of NiO between ITO and SAM, the coverage and homogeneity of SAMs on the substrate can be improved, leading to enhanced device performance. The combination of NiO and SAM results in a more than 20% efficient champion device with a narrower distribution of performance.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anna L. Pellegrino, Cristina Tudisco, Francesca Lo Presti, Emil Milan, Adolfo Speghini, Guglielmo G. Condorelli, Graziella Malandrino
Summary: For the first time, a gas-phase route called molecular layer deposition (MLD) was used to create a monolayer of metalorganic Eu(III) molecules on a NiO oxide layer. The NiO layer was activated using H2O/O2 vapors and then functionalized with molecules of the Eu complex at different temperatures to promote the chemisorption process. The effects of activation process and MLD temperature on the chemisorption of the Eu complex were evaluated using X-ray photoelectron and luminescence spectroscopy. The research findings defined the stoichiometry of the chemisorbed Eu moiety and optimized a strategy for synthesizing hybrid metalorganic/inorganic systems. The luminescence properties of the hybrid system confirmed energy conversion phenomena of the monolayer and provided information about the local environment of the Eu(III) complex anchored on the NiO surface.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lu Liu, Yang Yang, Minyong Du, Yuexian Cao, Xiaodong Ren, Lu Zhang, Hui Wang, Shuai Zhao, Kai Wang, Shengzhong (Frank) Liu
Summary: This article investigates the interface issues of wide-bandgap perovskite solar cells and successfully improves energy conversion efficiency and indoor efficiency by designing a self-assembled monolayer as the interface layer. In addition, an all-perovskite tandem solar cell is configured, and a decent power conversion efficiency is achieved.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ningyue Chen, Shuwei Li, Peng Zhao, Ran Liu, Yu Xie, Jin-Liang Lin, Christian A. Nijhuis, Bingqian Xu, Liang Zhang, Huaping Xu, Yuan Li
Summary: This study introduces a method to form stable gold-based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) using selenide anchoring groups, resulting in highly stable molecular tunnel junctions. The findings demonstrate the potential application of selenide-derived stable SAMs in long-lived molecular electronic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zijing Chen, Yiming Li, Zhenghao Liu, Jiangjian Shi, Bingcheng Yu, Shan Tan, Yuqi Cui, Chengyu Tan, Fubo Tian, Huijue Wu, Yanhong Luo, Dongmei Li, Qingbo Meng
Summary: In this study, a functionalized C-PCBA SAM is introduced to improve interface defects and electron transportation in perovskite solar cells, resulting in high efficiency and stability.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohan Teja Dronadula, N. R. Aluru
Summary: In this paper, we investigated the properties of graphene-supported lipid monolayers through molecular dynamics simulations, and explored the influence of substrate curvature on these interfaces. The results reveal significant differences between supported monolayers and free-standing bilayers, and provide insights into the tuning of lipid properties.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Julian M. Dlugosch, Henning Seim, Achyut Bora, Takuya Kamiyama, Itai Lieberman, Falk May, Florian Mueller-Plathe, Alexei Nefedov, Saurav Prasad, Sebastian Resch, Kai Saller, Christian Seim, Maximilian Speckbacher, Frank Voges, Marc Tornow, Peer Kirsch
Summary: This article presents a prototype of a ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) based on a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of small, functional molecules. The SAM is highly uniform and thin, and exhibits reversible conductance switching. Compared to inorganic material-based FTJs, this approach using SAMs of small organic molecules allows for a higher level of functional complexity while maintaining a robust and simple fabrication process. The technology is expected to find applications in information storage and processing.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
A. Brady-Boyd, R. O'Connor, S. Armini, V Selvaraju, M. Pasquali, G. Hughes, J. Bogan
Summary: This study investigates the effects of using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for area-selective atomic layer deposition (AS-ALD) by examining the etch rates of two different SAMs. The results show that the etch rate is distinct for each SAM, providing insights for selecting the appropriate SAM for AS-ALD applications.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Daimiota Takhellambam, Luigi Angelo Castriotta, Gloria Zanotti, Laura Mancini, Venanzio Raglione, Giuseppe Mattioli, Barbara Paci, Amanda Generosi, Marco Guaragno, Valerio Campanari, Giuseppe Ammirati, Faustino Martelli, Emanuele Calabro, Antonio Cricenti, Marco Luce, Narges Yaghoobi Nia, Francesco Di Giacomo, Aldo Di Carlo
Summary: In this study, a novel interlayer C10-BTBT is introduced, which significantly improves charge transfer at the interface of perovskite solar cells, resulting in a high power conversion efficiency and fill factor.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kamyar Ahmadi, Nikhil Dole, Dongjun Wu, Taha Salavati-Fard, Lars C. Grabow, Francisco Carlos Robles Hernandez, Stanko R. Brankovic
Summary: This study explores a new opportunity for synthesizing catalyst monolayer and core-shell structures through the surface limited redox replacement (SLRR) reaction, enabled by the discovery of electroless Pb monolayer deposition. The benefits of this synthesis approach, demonstrated through examples of catalyst monolayer deposition via SLRR, show potential for a broad range of applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Antonio Minopoli, Emanuela Scardapane, Bartolomeo Della Ventura, Julian A. Tanner, Andreas Offenhaeusser, Dirk Mayer, Raffaele Velotta
Summary: A novel double-resonant plasmonic substrate for fluorescence amplification in a chip-based apta-immunoassay was reported. The substrate relies on the plasmon-enhanced fluorescence (PEF) effect to amplify the fluorescence signal. It can potentially be used for multiplexing applications. In a malaria apta-immunoassay, the substrate successfully detected Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH) in human whole blood with high sensitivity and without complex pretreatments.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pegah Shokoohimehr, Bogdana Cepkenovic, Frano Milos, Justus Bednar, Hossein Hassani, Vanessa Maybeck, Andreas Offenhaeusser
Summary: The further development of neurochips requires high-density and high-resolution recordings over a long period of time. A combination of vertical nanostraws with nanocavities is proposed, allowing tight coupling with neurons and achieving high sensitivity and synaptic resolution in recording.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lennart J. K. Weiss, Georg Lubins, Emir Music, Philipp Rinklin, Marko Banzet, Hu Peng, Korkut Terkan, Dirk Mayer, Bernhard Wolfrum
Summary: Microfluidic paper-based analytical devices have achieved remarkable success. However, their sensing performance is limited by the optical readout of nanoparticle agglomeration. In contrast, single-impact electrochemistry offers the potential for quantifying species concentrations beyond the pM range by analyzing collisions of individual species on a microelectrode.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annika Kempmann, Thomas Gensch, Andreas Offenhausser, Irina Tihaa, Vanessa Maybeck, Sabine Balfanz, Arnd Baumann
Summary: Calcium ions play a crucial role in physiology and cellular signaling. Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECI) have opened new avenues for studying calcium-driven processes in living cells and organisms. By modifying the protein sequence, these indicators can be localized to different cellular compartments and used to trace calcium signals at the (sub)-cellular level.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Tatiana A. Lomanovskaya, Gennadii A. Piavchenko, Vladislav O. Soldatov, Artem A. Venediktov, Egor A. Kuzmin, Natalia L. Kartashkina, Svetlana G. Mukhamedova, Tatiana Boronikhina, Aleksandr G. Markov, Dmitry Telyshev, Igor Meglinski, Alexander N. Yatskovskiy
Summary: This study examined the hematological changes caused by experimental hypervitaminosis A and used a 3D confocal optical profilometer to assess the structural changes of erythrocyte membranes. The results showed that an overdose of retinol palmitate led to changes in the shape and structure of red blood cells, highlighting the importance of diagnosing and developing treatment protocols for red blood cell dysfunction.
JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Giorgio Cortelli, Leroy Grob, Luca Patruno, Tobias Cramer, Dirk Mayer, Beatrice Fraboni, Bernhard Wolfrum, Stefano de Miranda
Summary: Nowadays, many applications in various fields are utilizing micropillars, such as optics, tribology, biology, and biomedical engineering. One of the most attractive applications is the use of three-dimensional microelectrode arrays for in vivo and in vitro studies. The accurate mechanical characterization of the micropillar is crucial in the fabrication and optimization of such devices, as it determines their reliability.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Angelica Dominguez-Aragon, Erasto Armando Zaragoza-Contreras, Gabriela Figueroa-Miranda, Andreas Offenhausser, Dirk Mayer
Summary: A novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the quantitative detection of carcinoembryonic antigen, a significant tumor marker. The immobilization of antibodies was achieved through Au-S bonds using a novel photochemical technique, allowing control over antibody orientation. The SWCNH/Thi/AuNPs nanocomposite acted as a signal tag for detection and signal amplification. The immunoassay demonstrated a linear detection range from 0.001-200 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 0.1385 pg/mL. Carbon nanohorns hold promise as a conductive and binding matrix for signal amplification in clinical diagnostics.
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Ziheng Hu, Yaqi Li, Gabriela Figueroa-Miranda, Simon Musall, Hangyu Li, Mateo Alejandro Martinez-Roque, Qinyu Hu, Lingyan Feng, Dirk Mayer, Andreas Offenhaeusser
Summary: Neurotransmitters control signal transmission in chemical synapses by being released from the pre-synaptic neuron and binding to receptors in the postsynaptic neuron. Measurement of neurotransmitter concentrations with high spatiotemporal resolution is essential for understanding brain function and dysfunction in neurological diseases. Aptamer based biosensors are a valuable tool in achieving this goal, offering advantages in tailoring receptors for specific tasks.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ruifeng Zhu, Gabriela Figueroa-Miranda, Lei Zhou, Ziheng Hu, Bohdan Lenyk, Sven Ingebrandt, Andreas Offenhaeusser, Dirk Mayer
Summary: A dual-signal protocol was developed, combining electrochemical and optical detection methods using gold nanopit arrays, to improve aptamer-based biosensors. The non-fully penetrating AuNpA showed better plasmonic properties and enlarged the electrochemical active surface area compared to fully penetrating structures. The simultaneous use of electrochemical and optical transducers led to different detection limits, dynamic ranges, and sensitivities, providing new opportunities for disease diagnosis and point-of-care testing.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ziheng Hu, Ruifeng Zhu, Gabriela Figueroa-Miranda, Lei Zhou, Lingyan Feng, Andreas Offenhaeusser, Dirk Mayer
Summary: This study presents an electrochemical aptasensor for highly sensitive and selective serotonin (ST) detection, based on truncated DNA aptamers and a polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecule-functionalized sensing interface. The aptasensor shows improved sensitivity and enhanced antifouling ability due to the small size and stable structure of the truncated aptamers, as well as the blocking effect of PEG molecules. The sensor exhibits a wide detection range and low limit of detection, and also demonstrates high selectivity and stability in detecting ST in human serum and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF).
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Lina Koschinski, Bohdan Lenyk, Marie Jung, Irene Lenzi, Bjoern Kampa, Dirk Mayer, Andreas Offenhaeusser, Simon Musall, Viviana Rincon Montes
Summary: The combination of electrophysiology and neuroimaging methods allows simultaneous measurement of electrical activity signals with calcium dynamics in vivo. Transparent neural implants have been proposed to overcome limitations of traditional techniques, but their effectiveness remains unclear. This study compared two types of transparent surface micro-electrocorticography (mu ECoG) implants and found that the combination of solid gold interconnects and PEDOT:PSS-based electrodes offered the best overall properties for long-term chronic multimodal recordings. These implants showed functional stability for four months and allowed simultaneous mapping of electrical and calcium neural signals during imaging.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Biophysics
Yuanying Liang, Gabriela Figueroa-Miranda, Julian Alexander Tanner, Fei Huang, Andreas Offenhaeusser, Dirk Mayer
Summary: In this research, integrated organic electrochemical transistors (iOECTs) with different channel geometries were designed for point-of-care diagnosis of malaria using aptamer as receptor. The experiment showed that iOECTs with thin channels exhibited superior sensitivity for malaria detection, with a detection limit as low as 3.2 aM.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)