Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Aida Garrido-Charles, Antoine Huet, Carlo Matera, Anupriya Thirumalai, Jordi Hernando, Amadeu Llebaria, Tobias Moser, Pau Gorostiza
Summary: Artificial control of neuronal activity is crucial for studying neural circuits and restoring neural functions. In this study, researchers developed fast photoswitchable ligands of glutamate receptors (GluRs) to enable direct and reversible control of intact neurons using visible light pulses. These new photoswitchable ligands successfully induced photocurrents in untransfected auditory neurons, offering a drug-based approach for optical stimulation without the need for genetic manipulation. This method shows potential for spatiotemporal control of neural activities in the brain.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Camille Courtine, Ines Hamouda, Samuel Pearson, Laurent Billon, Pierre Lavedan, Sonia Ladeira, Jean-Claude Micheau, Veronique Pimienta, Erwan Nicol, Nancy Lauth de Viguerie, Anne-Francoise Mingotaud
Summary: This study found that switchable assemblies relevant for bio-applications can be accessed from water-soluble tetra-ortho-substituted azobenzenes that reversibly self-assemble and form complexes with beta-cyclodextrin under visible light.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
John T. Kalyvas, Paula Facal Marina, Damian L. Stachura, John R. Horsley, Andrew D. Abell
Summary: A novel strategy using UV light to activate and deliver an antimicrobial therapeutic agent for treating Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) skin infections is introduced. The active peptide, derived from a photoswitchable gramicidin S analogue immobilized on a wearable patch, exhibits antimicrobial activity against S. aureus without harming red blood cells. The antimicrobial properties of the peptide can be switched off within seconds by irradiation with visible light, providing an ideal approach to regulate antibiotic activity and potentially mitigate resistance.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mohasin Tarek, M. A. Basith
Summary: This study synthesized MoS2 nanosheets, CuCo2S4 nanomaterials, and CuCo2S4-MoS2 nanocomposites as electrode materials for hybrid supercapacitors. By optimizing the concentration of MoS2, the electrochemical properties of CuCo2S4-MoS2 nanocomposites were improved for high-performance energy storage devices. The CuCo2S4-MoS2 (80 : 20) nanocomposite with a 20 wt% concentration of MoS2 exhibited the highest specific capacitance and capacitance retention in a three-electrode system, and also showed the highest specific capacitance and energy density in a symmetric two-electrode configuration.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sophie A. M. Steinmueller, Anna Tutov, James N. Hislop, Michael Decker
Summary: The CB2R has therapeutic potential in central nervous system disorders, and dualsteric/bitopic ligands are being developed for receptor subtype selectivity and biased signaling. This study reports the first potentially dualsteric photoswitchable ligand for studying CB2R-associated pathologies.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kubra Aydin, Chaitanya Kanade, Vinit Kaluram Kanade, Gulgun Bahit, Chisung Ahn, Taesung Kim
Summary: Two-dimensional materials, especially 2D-MoS2, have shown great potential in photodetectors due to their tunable optical band gap properties. This research focused on creating high-performance photodetectors by arranging out-of-plane 2D heterostructures. The study demonstrated that the 1T/2H-MoS2 heterostructure exhibited the best photocurrent response, highlighting the significance of phase engineering in developing high-performance photodetectors.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Maryam Alidaei, Vahid Ahmadi, Seyede Maryam Mousavi, Farzaneh Arabpour Roghabadi
Summary: The stability of organo-halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is improved by using an efficient interfacial layer that protects the perovskite layer against moisture and UV light/heat. The interfacial layer consists of hydrophobic two-dimensional perovskite (2D-PEA(2)PbI(4)) and azobenzene phase change material (PCM). The addition of this dual-function interfacial layer significantly prolongs the lifetime of the devices, particularly under one sun illumination and humid atmosphere.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bo-Wen Ma
Summary: The effect of thiourea concentration in the reaction solution on the morphology and field emission properties of MoS2 nanosheets was investigated. Vertically aligned MoS2 nanosheets exhibited good emission stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Julia Ewert, Linda Heintze, Mireia Jorda-Redondo, Jan-Simon von Glasenapp, Santi Nonel, Goetz Bucher, Christian Peifer, Rainer Herges
Summary: Photopharmacology is an emerging approach that utilizes light to switch drug activity. In this study, a new strategy of designing photoswitchable drugs was proposed, in which the photoswitch moiety is located closer to the drug's scaffold. Docking studies showed that the structural similarity between natural estrogen and certain photoswitchable compounds is high. Biological assays revealed that four synthesized compounds exhibited estrogenic activity when irradiated with violet light, which could be effectively turned off with green light. The results suggest that drugs with reversible activity upon light stimulation could provide increased target specificity and reduced environmental impact.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tufan K. Mukhopadhyay, Johannes Morstein, Dirk Trauner
Summary: This article provides an overview of signaling photolipids developed to date, focusing on their biological applications such as immunomodulation, kinase translocation, apoptosis, ion channel activation, G-protein coupled receptor activation, and neurogenesis.
CURRENT OPINION IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bianca Rocha Florindo, Leonardo H. Hasimoto, Nicolli de Freitas, Graziani Candiotto, Erika Nascimento Lima, Claudia de Lourenco, Ana B. S. de Araujo, Carlos Ospina, Jefferson Bettini, Edson R. Leite, Renato S. Lima, Adalberto Fazzio, Rodrigo B. Capaz, Murilo Santhiago
Summary: This study reports a method of preparing etched arrays on MoS2 monolayers using a focused ion beam (FIB) technique, and the position and size of defects can be controlled by adjusting the ion dose. By evaluating the electrochemical activity on the basal plane, the overpotential of the catalyst can be reduced by 290 mV. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images indicate the presence of amorphous regions, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals sulfur excess in these regions. Density-functional theory calculations can identify catalytic defect sites. These results are of importance for defect optimization in MoS2 monolayers.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Panpan Zhang, Xu Wang, Yangyang Yang, Yunjian Liu, Xiaochuan Hou, Chunsheng Lu
Summary: By doping with zinc, the electronic properties of 2H-MoS2/C material have been optimized, resulting in improved electrical conductivity, enhanced activity of active sites, and strengthened interfacial stability. The enhanced electrochemical activity contributes to the rate performance of sodium-ion batteries.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jinghui Qiao, Yanrong He, Siyang Lin, Qingyan Fan, Jinbao Guo
Summary: A photoswitchable CPL-active cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) device has been developed, which can amplify and reversibly photoswitch the CPL signal by adjusting the relative position of selective reflection and fluorescence emission. The device exhibits high-contrast circularly polarized fluorescent patterns that can be erased and rewritten upon light irradiation.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
D. Mouloua, N. S. Rajput, S. Saitzek, K. Kaja, K. Hoummada, M. El Marssi, M. A. El Khakani, M. Jouiad
Summary: This article reports on the simplified synthesis of a unique microfiber/microflower MoS2-based heterostructure using a one-step chemical vapor deposition method. The heterostructure exhibits high absorption performance over a wide spectral range, making it suitable for various photodetection applications. The integration of the MoS2/MoO2 heterostructures into functional photodetectors demonstrates significant photoresponse and high performance.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
R. Abinaya, S. Harish, S. Ponnusamy, M. Shimomura, M. Navaneethan, J. Archana
Summary: Due to high thermoelectric properties, MoS2 has become the material of choice for TE generator applications. Hierarchical MoS2/MoO3 structures exhibit improved TE performance through enhanced phonon scattering in thin nanosheets and improved electrical conductivity at the interface. This results in a significantly increased power factor at high temperatures with reduced thermal conductivity, achieving a maximum zT value of 1.18 at 600 K.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dominique Roberto, Alessia Colombo, Claudia Dragonetti, Francesco Fagnani, Massimo Cocchi, Daniele Marinotto
Summary: Substitution of the chlorido ligand with 4-phenylthiazole-2-thiolate leads to thiolato complexes with tunable emission color and high luminescence quantum yield.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Salih Demirci, Taylan Gorkan, Safak Callioglu, V. Ongun Ozcelik, Johannes Barth, Ethem Aktuerk, Salim Ciraci
Summary: A hydrogenated carbon monolayer exhibits various functionalities and can be used in composite structures with topological properties. It has applications in energy storage and optoelectronics, and the commensurability of different materials ensures the effectiveness of these functionalities.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Mauri, Alessia Colombo, Claudia Dragonetti, Francesco Fagnani, Dominique Roberto
Summary: This review summarizes the research carried out in the past decade on iridium and ruthenium complexes with various perylene ligands, which are of particular interest for bioimaging, photodynamic therapy, and solar energy conversion. The absorption spectra and electrochemical properties of these complexes are determined by both the perylene subunit and the metal moiety, while the emissions are significantly different from those of pure perylenes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paul Leidinger, Mirco Panighel, Virginia Perez Dieste, Ignacio J. Villar-Garcia, Pablo Vezzoni, Felix Haag, Johannes V. Barth, Francesco Allegretti, Sebastian Guenther, Laerte L. Patera
Summary: Dynamic covalent chemistry is used for designing covalent organic frameworks with high crystallinity achieved through reversible bond formation. In this study, near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is employed to investigate the reversible formation of a two-dimensional boroxine framework. By mapping the pressure-temperature parameter space, the regions where the rates of condensation and hydrolysis reactions dominate are identified, which enable the thermodynamically controlled growth of crystalline frameworks.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Federico Frezza, Frederik Schiller, Ales Cahlik, Jose Enrique Ortega, Johannes V. Barth, Andres Arnau, Maria Blanco-Rey, Pavel Jelinek, Martina Corso, Ignacio Piquero-Zulaica
Summary: In this study, quinoidal ligands were reacted with single cobalt atoms on an Au(788) surface in ultra-high vacuum, resulting in the formation of cobalt-quinoid chains. The electronic structure of these chains was investigated using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and their narrow bandgap structure was revealed using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations confirmed that the observed electronic bands originated from the efficient hybridization of cobalt and molecular orbitals. This work provides a foundation for the systematic search of similar one-dimensional π-d hybridized metal-organic chains with tunable electronic and magnetic properties.
Review
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Ignacio Piquero-Zulaica, Jorge Lobo-Checa, Zakaria M. Abd El-Fattah, J. Enrique Ortega, Florian Klappenberger, Willi Auwaerter, Johannes Barth
Summary: This article reviews the confinement of surface-state electrons, focusing on their interaction with molecular scaffolds created by molecular manipulation and self-assembly protocols under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The study shows that atomic manipulation and supramolecular principles provide access to custom-designed molecular assemblies and superlattices, which tailor the surface electronic landscape and influence fundamental chemical and physical properties at the nanoscale.
REVIEWS OF MODERN PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Biao Yang, Kaifeng Niu, Nan Cao, Nitika Grover, Wenchao Zhao, Alexander Riss, Jonas Bjoerk, Willi Auwaerter, Johannes V. Barth, Mathias O. Senge
Summary: In this study, the behavior of 1,3-disubstituted BCP moieties on metal surfaces was examined using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy/non-contact atomic force microscopy studies and density functional theory modeling. The configuration, supramolecular assembly, and thermally activated dehalogenative coupling reactions of BCP-containing precursors on Au(111) were investigated, resulting in the formation of polymeric chains. These findings provide sub-molecular insights into the behavior of BCP scaffolds on surfaces and expand the potential application of BCP derivatives in custom-designed surface architectures.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Taylan Gorkan, Salih Demirci, Johannes V. Barth, Ethem Aktuerk, Salim Ciraci
Summary: Based on first-principles calculations, it is predicted that the 2H-MoS2 monolayer can also exist in a stable biphenylene network phase (B-MoS2). B-MoS2 has a narrow band gap, directional electronic conduction, and strong absorption in the near-infrared region. It can form multilayers and a metallic 3D layered crystal, and its band gap can be modulated under applied strains.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nan Cao, Biao Yang, Alexander Riss, Johanna Rosen, Jonas Bjork, Johannes V. Barth
Summary: Enetriynes, a distinct class of highly conjugated pi-system compounds, are formed with high selectivity by tetramerization of terminal alkynes on Ag(100) surface. The formation is induced by O-2 exposure, resulting in deprotonation of terminal alkyne moieties and the evolution of organometallic bis-acetylide dimer arrays. Subsequent thermal annealing leads to the generation of tetrameric enetriyne-bridged compounds, which readily self-assemble into regular networks. High-resolution scanning probe microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations are employed to examine the structural features, bonding characteristics, and reaction mechanism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nan Cao, Jonas Bjoerk, Eduardo Corral-Rascon, Zhi Chen, Mario Ruben, Mathias O. Senge, Johannes V. Barth, Alexander Riss
Summary: This study investigates how aromaticity affects the reactivity of alkyne-substituted porphyrin molecules on a Au(111) surface. The experiments show that carbon atoms stabilized by aromaticity display lower reactivity, which is consistent with density functional theory calculations.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Regina M. Kluge, Richard W. Haid, Alexander Riss, Yang Bao, Knud Seufert, Thorsten O. Schmidt, Sebastian A. Watzele, Johannes Barth, Francesco Allegretti, Willi Auwarter, Federico Calle-Vallejo, Aliaksandr S. Bandarenka
Summary: This study focuses on the catalytic design of oxygen reduction reaction, determining the composition and geometric configuration of optimal catalytic active sites through a combination of experiments and models. The lattice compression resulting from alloying Pt with 3d transition metals gradually increases the generalized coordination number of surface Pt atoms, making (111) terraces highly active.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Luca Mauri, Alessia Colombo, Claudia Dragonetti, Francesco Fagnani
Summary: The production of electricity through renewable sources, such as solar energy, is a significant challenge in modern times. This review article focuses on recent studies involving iron and copper complexes as dyes in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs), highlighting the feasibility of utilizing copper and iron dyes alone or in combination with other earth-abundant metals. The optimization of sensitizers, electrolytes, and semiconducting layers holds the potential for developing highly efficient and cost-effective photovoltaic devices.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dennis Meier, Benedikt Schoof, Jinhua Wang, Xuesong Li, Andreas Walz, Annette Huettig, Hartmut Schlichting, Frederic Rosu, Valerie Gabelica, Victor Maurizot, Joachim Reichert, Anthoula C. Papageorgiou, Ivan Huc, Johannes Barth
Summary: Aromatic foldamers show promise for molecular recognition and molecular machinery applications, requiring defect-free, 2D-crystalline monolayers. To achieve this, submonolayers were prepared on Ag(111) surface using electrospray controlled ion beam deposition (ES-CIBD) in ultra-high vacuum (UHV). Real-space single-molecule imaging with scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) unambiguously identified the unfolded state on the surface, which assembled into regular structures.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Andreas Walz, Karolina Stoiber, Annette Huettig, Hartmut Schlichting, Johannes V. Barth
Summary: A prototype of a highly efficient preparative mass spectrometry system for molecule deposition in ultrahigh vacuum is presented, combining innovative designs and achieving encouraging performance data. This system has broad applications and its efficiency can be further enhanced by optimizing ionization performance.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wenqi Hu, Mohammad A. Kher-Elden, Hexu Zhang, Peng Cheng, Lan Chen, Ignacio Piquero-Zulaica, Zakaria M. Abd El-Fattah, Johannes V. Barth, Kehui Wu, Yi-Qi Zhang
Summary: In this study, the tailoring of Shockley surface-state electrons using complex interfacial supramolecular tessellations was investigated. Experimental and modeling results showed the possibility of realizing novel two-dimensional electronic structures through quantum dot coupling, which could provide a complementary and versatile route for controlling surface electronic landscapes.
