Article
Mechanics
G. Gillot, J. -M. Genevaux, L. Simon, L. Benyahia
Summary: Adding a surfactant to water changes the outcome of water drop impacts and affects the resulting acoustic signal. The starting time of the acoustic events shows a maximum around one-third of the critical micellar concentration, which is related to the variation of Rayleigh jet maximum height.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haorui Shen, Tong Yu, Pei Tang, Huicong Yang, Jun Tan, Shuo Bai, Feng Li
Summary: In this study, the stability of the electrolyte-anode interface is improved and the interfacial transfer dynamics are accelerated by preparing micro-arrays of nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) on the Cu foil. The formation of aggregates of anions is promoted, leading to improved decomposition efficiency and the formation of a more protective solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. This approach effectively suppresses the formation of lithium dendrites and enhances the lifespan and efficiency of the anode.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xinyu Wang, Yiran Ying, Xiaomin Li, Shengmei Chen, Guowei Gao, Haitao Huang, Longtao Ma
Summary: In this study, a new type of aqueous electrolyte is proposed to manipulate the electric double layer adsorption, Zn2+ solvation structure and hydrogen bond network, thereby achieving a stable solid electrolyte interphase and preferential growth of the Zn (002) plane. The electrolyte enables Zn metal batteries to exhibit exceptional reversibility and long-term stability.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
J. Li, K. S. Hui, D. A. Dinh, S. Wu, X. Fan, F. Chen, K. N. Hui
Summary: This review summarizes the mechanisms, challenges, and electrolyte strategies of dual-ion batteries (DIBs) to address the issues faced by DIBs and provide guidance for the future development of DIBs.
MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yingze Yang, Jingshan Qin, Kadi Hu, Liang Luo, Anuj Kumar, Daojin Zhou, Zhongbin Zhuang, Hui Li, Xiaoming Sun
Summary: Water management is a significant challenge in fuel cells, affecting their performance and durability. This study utilized a model reaction system to observe the flooding phenomenon at the gas/electrode interface during the oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen oxidation reaction. The formation of micrometer-sized droplets was observed during ion-generation reactions, while no obvious droplets were observed during ion-consumption reactions. The flooding phenomenon was attributed to the decrease in saturated vapor pressure caused by ion generation, while the non-flooding phenomenon was due to the elevated vapor pressure caused by ion consumption.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Giulia Festa, Adriana P. Mamede, David Goncalves, Eugenia Cunha, Winfried Kockelmann, Stewart F. Parker, Luis A. E. Batista de Carvalho, Maria Paula M. Marques
Summary: The first neutron diffraction study of in-situ anaerobic burning of human bones investigates the heat-induced changes in bone structure. The study reveals the structural reorganization of bone matrix at different temperatures and the absence of carbonates and organic constituents at high temperatures. These findings contribute to a better understanding of heat-prompted changes in bone and have implications in forensic science, archeology, and other biomaterial studies.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Masaaki Akamatsu, Ayumi Kimura, Koji Yamanaga, Kenichi Sakai, Hideki Sakai
Summary: The study evaluated anion-pi interactions at the solid/water interface and found that anion adsorption followed the hydration energy and the presence of conjugated systems of the anions by QCM measurements. Force curve measurements revealed that the single-molecule force of anion-pi interaction was approximately 40 pN between an NDI unit and the negatively charged surface of the cantilever. This study presented the first example of obtaining a single-molecule force for anion-pi interactions.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wahid Zaman, Ray A. Matsumoto, Matthew W. Thompson, Yu-Hsuan Liu, Yousuf Bootwala, Marm B. Dixit, Slavomir Nemsak, Ethan Crumlin, Marta C. Hatzell, Peter T. Cummings, Kelsey B. Hatzell
Summary: A continuum of water populations can exist in nanoscale layered materials, impacting transport phenomena relevant for separation, adsorption, and charge storage processes. Quantification and direct interrogation of water structure and organization are crucial for designing materials with molecular-level control for emerging energy and water applications.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Giulia Festa, Adriana P. Mamede, David Goncalves, Eugenia Cunha, Winfried Kockelmann, Stewart F. Parker, Luis A. E. Batista de Carvalho, Maria Paula M. Marques
Summary: The first neutron diffraction study on the in-situ anaerobic burning of human bones was conducted to interpret heat-induced changes in bone, previously detected using vibrational spectroscopy. Structural and crystallinity variations were observed in human femur, tibia, and reference hydroxyapatite samples when heated under anaerobic conditions. The study provides insight into the structural reorganization of the bone matrix at different temperatures and can contribute to the understanding of heat-prompted changes in bone, which can serve as biomarkers for burning temperature. This information is important for forensic science, archaeology, and other biomaterial studies.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Regina D. D. Schnegelberger, Brianna Steiert, Philip J. J. Sandoval, Bruno Hagenbuch
Summary: OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 are drug transporters involved in the uptake of various substances into human hepatocytes. We used a CCF assay to identify substrates of these transporters and tested 30 compounds, finding that some of them are indeed OATP substrates. This finding contributes to our understanding of drug transport mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jun-Fan Ding, Rui Xu, Nan Yao, Xiang Chen, Ye Xiao, Yu-Xing Yao, Chong Yan, Jin Xie, Jia-Qi Huang
Summary: The cosolvents play a critical role in the solvation structure of Li+ and the formation of SEI on working Li metal anodes, with NL cosolvents enhancing the interaction between anion and Li+ to induce an anion-derived inorganic-rich SEI. A solvent with proper relative binding energy toward Li+ and dielectric constant is suitable as NL cosolvent.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhiwei Zhao, Limin Guo, Zhangquan Peng
Summary: The aprotic lithium-oxygen (Li-O-2) battery has a high theoretical specific energy and represents a potential solution to the renewable energy storage challenge. However, practical Li-O-2 batteries currently face challenges such as low energy capability and short longevity. Understanding the reaction processes and degradation mechanisms is crucial for improving these batteries.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tianshu Chu, Xinyuan Mao, Bowei Zhang, Fu-Zhen Xuan
Summary: In this study, a strategy to explore the adsorption dynamics of electrified interfacial water was reported. By combining different techniques and calculations, the adsorption dynamics of interfacial water were successfully improved. The obtained material Mo2TiC2Tx exhibited excellent humidity-sensing properties.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xinlu Teng, Jun Sun, Jingzan Jiang, Shichuan Ke, Jia Li, Zhidong Lou, Yanbing Hou, Yufeng Hu, Feng Teng
Summary: This work investigated the effects of different cations and anions on the performance and doping/dedoping processes of poly (3-hexylthiophene-2, 5-diyl) (P3HT) electrochemical transistors through characterization tests. The results showed that larger perchlorate ions could penetrate the P3HT film more heavily than smaller chloride ions, resulting in higher transconductance and switching ratio. Different anions exhibited different electrochemical doping processes, leading to various electrical hysteresis characteristics.
ORGANIC ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rui Xu, Xin Shen, Xia-Xia Ma, Chong Yan, Xue-Qiang Zhang, Xiang Chen, Jun-Fan Ding, Jia-Qi Huang
Summary: The electric double layer (EDL) chemistry at the electrode/electrolyte interface is found to predominantly control the competitive reduction reactions during SEI construction on Li metal anode. Introducing multi-valent cation additives has been validated as a promising strategy to enhance the performance of SEI, shedding new light on the targeted regulation of reactive alkali metal interfaces.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Soma Vesztergom, Abhijit Dutta, Motiar Rahaman, Kiran Kiran, Ivan Zelocualtecatl Montiel, Peter Broekmann
Summary: The electrochemical deposition of metal foams around co-generated hydrogen bubbles that act as templates for the deposition is a promising, cheap and simple approach to the fabrication of new electrocatalyst materials. Metal foams obtained by dynamic hydrogen bubble templating offer an intrinsically high electrical conductance with an open porous structure that enables the fast transport of gases and liquids. The confined space within the pores of these metal foams may act as small reactors that can harbor reactions not possible at an open electrode interface.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuhui Hou, Noemi Kovacs, Heng Xu, Changzhe Sun, Rolf Erni, Maria de Jesus Galvez-Vazquez, Alain Rieder, Huifang Hu, Ying Kong, Menglong Liu, Benjamin J. Wiley, Soma Vesztergom, Peter Broekmann
Summary: IL-SEM has become a crucial tool in electrocatalysis research for observing changes in surface morphology of electrodes before and after electrochemical treatments. However, extreme care is necessary when using this method, especially for nanoparticles with surface-adsorbed capping agents.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ying Kong, Huifang Hu, Menglong Liu, Yuhui Hou, Viliam Kolivoska, Soma Vesztergom, Peter Broekmann
Summary: The use of gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) is a promising strategy for scaling up the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (ec-CO2RR). However, the flooding of GDE cathodes is often observed at high current densities, leading to a decrease in observable Faradaic efficiency. Therefore, the development of reliable analytical methods for quantitatively assessing flooding is crucial.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Changzhe Sun, Yuhui Hou, Nicola Ludi, Huifang Hu, Maria De Jesus Galvez-Vazquez, Mike Liechti, Ying Kong, Menglong Liu, Rolf Erni, Alexander V. Rudnev, Peter Broekmann
Summary: The stability of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) complexes in CO2 electroreduction is affected by mechanical and chemical degradation. Iron contamination causes the observable degradation of the CoPc@MWCNT hybrid catalyst. Therefore, careful purification of catalyst materials is necessary to maintain catalyst performance.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Diego Monserrat Lopez, Valentine Grimaudo, Giulia Prone, Alexander Flisch, Andreas Riedo, Robert Zboray, Thomas Luethi, Marcel Mayor, Martin Fussenegger, Peter Broekmann, Peter Wurz, Emanuel Loertscher
Summary: Analyzing the craters created during material ablation using polydimethylsiloxane-based molding and X-ray computed tomography allows for a better understanding of the ablation process and more accurate determination of material composition.
Article
Electrochemistry
Huifang Hu, Menglong Liu, Ying Kong, Ivan Zelocualtecatl Montiel, Yuhui Hou, Alexander Rudnev, Peter Broekmann
Summary: The size of nanoparticles affects their degradation during CO2RR, with smaller nanoparticles being more prone to aggregation and fragmentation during electrolysis.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ying Kong, Menglong Liu, Huifang Hu, Yuhui Hou, Soma Vesztergom, Maria de Jesus Galvez-Vazquez, Ivan Zelocualtecatl Montiel, Viliam Kolivoska, Peter Broekmann
Summary: The use of gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) in carbon dioxide reduction electrolyzers allows for higher current densities, but stability issues related to flooding can occur. Flooding is caused by excess electrolyte permeating the micropores of the GDE, blocking the access of CO2 to the catalyst. By analyzing precipitates and quantifying electrolyte perspiration, important information about flooding can be obtained. Cracks play a crucial role in electrolyte management, and electrolyte perspiration through cracks is key in avoiding performance drops caused by flooding.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Oleg I. Zaytsev, Maria R. Ehrenburg, Elena B. Molodkina, Peter Broekmann, Alexander Rudnev
Summary: This study investigates the initial stages of Cu electrodeposition using Choline Chloride-Ethylene Glycol (ChCl:EG) mixture as nonaqueous media. The results show that the surface structure of the electrode plays a significant role in the mechanism of Cu electrodeposition. Additionally, the adsorption of solution components also affects the Cu deposition process.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anna Iarchuk, Abhijit Dutta, Peter Broekmann
Summary: Ni foam catalysts produced through a dynamic hydrogen bubble template assisted electrodeposition process exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance in converting nitrate reduction to ammonia with 100% selectivity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huifang Hu, Ying Kong, Menglong Liu, Viliam Kolivoska, Alexander V. Rudnev, Yuhui Hou, Rolf Erni, Soma Vesztergom, Peter Broekmann
Summary: The application of gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) for the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to value-added products has the potential to achieve high current densities. However, maintaining stable operation at such high reaction rates is challenging due to the flooding of the GDE. The chemical composition of the applied catalyst inks, particularly the excessive presence of polymeric capping agents, can lead to the blockage of micropores and hinder effective electrolyte perspiration inside the GDE structure.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Soma Vesztergom, Alessandro Senocrate, Ying Kong, Viliam Kolivoska, Francesco Bernasconi, Robert Zboray, Corsin Battaglia, Peter Broekmann
Summary: By using silver (Ag) in nanostructured or thin-layer forms as a catalyst, a high CO-forming selectivity can be achieved in electrochemical CO2 reduction. However, the stability and activity of gas diffusion electrode (GDE) based CO2-to-CO converters are still not ideal, mainly due to flooding that prevents CO2 from reaching the active sites of the catalyst. Different approaches have been taken to overcome this issue, and a comparison of recent results provides insight into the processes occurring in GDE cathodes used for CO2 electrolysis.
Article
Optics
Valentine Grimaudo, Diego Monserrat Lopez, Giulia Prone, Thomas Luthi, Alexander Flisch, Alena Cedeno Lopez, Vitali Grozovski, Marek Tulej, Andreas Riedo, Robert Zboray, Emanuel Lortscher, Peter Broekmann, Peter Wurz
Summary: Laser ablation is widely used in probing the chemical composition of solid materials. This study uses three different imaging methods to analyze the shape of ablation craters and provides accurate information for depth calibration in chemical depth profiling.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuzhen Wang, Abhijit Dutta, Anna Iarchuk, Changzhe Sun, Soma Vesztergom, Peter Broekmann
Summary: By opening a hydrogen evolution pathway, the mass transport efficiency of nitrate reduction reaction (NO3-RR) is improved, resulting in an increased limiting current density. This is achieved by using the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to facilitate electrolyte replenishment and convective nitrate mass transport during water/nitrate co-electrolysis.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Menglong Liu, Huifang Hu, Ying Kong, Ivan Zelocualtecatl Montiel, Viliam Kolivoska, Alexander V. Rudnev, Yuhui Hou, Rolf Erni, Soma Vesztergom, Peter Broekmann
Summary: We investigated the role of ionomers in gas diffusion electrodes (GDEs) for CO2-to-CO electrolysis and compared the performance of two commonly used ionomer materials, Nafion and Fumion. Our results showed that Fumion-containing inks were superior to Nafion-based ones in terms of CO selectivity and longer lifespan, due to their ability to suppress precipitation inside the GDE structure.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongpeng Liu, Sophie Webb, Pavel Moreno-Garcia, Amogh Kulkarni, Plinio Maroni, Peter Broekmann, Ross D. Milton
Summary: This study demonstrates a facile single-step electrode preparation method using indium-tin oxide nanoparticles on carbon electrodes, which enables the stable production of large quantities of hydrogen by [FeFe]-hydrogenase through direct electron transfer. The hydrogenase-modified electrodes exhibit high stability and Faradaic efficiency, making it a promising approach for enzymatic electrocatalysis and semiartificial photosynthesis.