Article
Engineering, Environmental
Keren Lu, Chenglong Chen, Yi Wu, Cai Liu, Juanjuan Song, Haiyan Jing, Peng Zhao, Boyuan Liu, Mingzhu Xia, Qingli Hao, Wu Lei
Summary: By adding 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) to the ZnSO4 electrolyte, an inert organic layer can be formed on the surface of zinc foil, protecting it from erosion and inhibiting dendrite formation. This enhances the cycle performance of aqueous Zn-metal batteries.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nhung T. T. Nguyen, Anh T. Ngo, Trinh X. Hoang
Summary: DNA toroids are compact bundles of twisted DNA molecules condensed from solution. This study investigates the global conformations of DNA inside these toroidal bundles using different models and replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that twisted toroidal bundles with moderate twisting are energetically favorable, and they can be formed through nucleation, growth, and tightening processes. The presence of a U-shaped region in the polymer conformation facilitates the formation of twisted bundles by effectively reducing the polymer length.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xuyan Ni, Jinqiu Zhou, Haoqing Ji, Yuejiao Chen, Huaming Yu, Yiwei Zheng, Tao Qian, Mengfan Wang, Libao Chen, Chenglin Yan
Summary: A covalent organic polymer (COP) layer with N, N'-Bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine structure is designed to alleviate the side reactions related to water in Zn metal batteries, by enhancing the de-solvation kinetics of solvated Zn2+ and promoting interfacial water removal.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sangyup Lee, Achyut Panchal, Suresh Menon
Summary: Metal particles are often added to enhance detonation propagation and impact energy in solid-fuel rocket motors and weapon systems. Inert particles can significantly affect detonation properties, and their effects depend on particle loading and material properties. This study investigates the effects of dense inert particle loading on shock-to-detonation transition in energetic material. The non-equilibrium effects between particles and the material are quantified, showing a correlation with observed detonation quantities.
PROPELLANTS EXPLOSIVES PYROTECHNICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thibaut L. M. Martinon, Valerie C. Pierre
Summary: The long luminescence lifetimes and sharp emission bands of luminescent lanthanide complexes have been widely recognized for their valuable applications in sensing and imaging in complex aqueous biological or environmental media. This review discusses the recent developments of these probes for sensing metal ions and anions, and highlights the underappreciated influence of buffers and metal hydrolysis on their response. The inherent complexities arising from these interactions are further explored.
CURRENT OPINION IN CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lina Wang, Xuecai Tan, Qingguang Zhu, Zhong Dong, Xu Wu, Kejing Huang, Jing Xu
Summary: This study reports a graded metal-phase MoS2@MnS heterojunction hollow microsphere for sodium and zinc storage devices, which has a unique hierarchical hollow structure that enhances the ability to store ions and exhibits much higher capacity compared to the currently reported MoS2-based materials.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Siju Mishra, P. Supraja, P. Ravi Sankar, R. Rakesh Kumar, K. Prakash, D. Haranath
Summary: Two-dimensional nanosheets of zinc sulfide were successfully fabricated for the first time on flexible aluminum foil substrate using hydrothermal technique. These nanosheets were used to create a piezoelectric device capable of generating electric potential from biomechanical energy. Experiments confirmed the high efficiency and voltage output potential of the ZnS-based nanogenerator.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Hadi Barati
Summary: In this study, the Vlasov-Maxwell equations were solved using the forward semi-Lagrangian method to calculate the argon ion beam angular distribution in the dense plasma focus device. The simulation results showed that as the initial pressure increased, the ion beam angular distribution expanded. The locations of ion beam micro-sources were illustrated through ion and electron density profiles.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PLASMA SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Li-Feng Zhou, Xuan-Wen Gao, Tao Du, He Gong, Li-Ying Liu, Wen-Bin Luo
Summary: The strategy of using Zn-Al-layered double hydroxides hexagonal nanoplates to modify the zinc metal anode has successfully improved the rechargeability and stability of rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries. The integrated electrode shows long-term stability and effectively suppresses zinc deposition and dendrite growth, offering a new pathway for Zn metal anode protection and accelerating the practical application of these batteries.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jialun Jin, Xiangshun Geng, Qiang Chen, Tian-Ling Ren
Summary: Zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs) have garnered tremendous interest as a new generation of Zn-ion storage systems due to their excellent integration of high energy density and power density. However, the current configurations and energy storage mechanisms of ZHSCs still lack systematic analyses. This review provides a comprehensive discussion on design strategies, electrode configurations, energy storage mechanisms, recent advances in electrode materials, electrolyte behaviors, and further applications of ZHSCs, as well as a summary and outlook for their future development.
NANO-MICRO LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shangdong Qin, Chao Wan, Mingwei Xu, Jun Huang, Kui Chen, Qinqin Xu, Shizhao Li, Fazhi Zhang, Yuanlong Guo, Yang You, Haibo Xie
Summary: In this study, an extremely safe and flexible quasi-solid-state zincion hybrid supercapacitor (ZHSC) was developed, using a scalable, thin, and high-performance hierarchical gel electrolyte that includes electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix, polyacrylamide (PAM), and zinc salt. The ZHSC achieved high energy density, power density, specific capacity, and cycling stability. It also demonstrated extreme safety and high wearability, outperforming traditional flexible batteries, making it suitable for various extreme conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mahsa Etminan, Farzin M. Aghamir
Summary: The study focused on the energy and flux of ion beams in a Mather type (5 kJ) plasma focus device. Argon gas was used as the chamber gas, and the energy spectra and flux of ions from argon gas and different target ions were analyzed. The results showed different anisotropies for argon gas and target ions in terms of energy spectra obtained from Faraday cups.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
M. Idouakass, Y. Todo, H. Wang, J. Wang, R. Seki, M. Sato
Summary: Trapped energetic particles interacting with MHD modes can change their precession drift direction, leading to outward transport. This precession drift reversal and outward transport are caused by interaction with the electric field of the MHD mode. Majority of trapped energetic particles interacting strongly with MHD modes experience precession drift reversal, resulting in significant redistribution of perpendicular energetic particle pressure profile.
PHYSICS OF PLASMAS
(2021)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Mahmud Vahdat Roshan, Seong Ling Yap, Seong Shan Yap
Summary: The study establishes a strong correlation between high-energy ion beam emission above megaelectronvolts from the plasma focus and the transient impedance developed across the plasma column. It formulates the ion acceleration parameter based on the experimental ion spectrum coupled to pinch simulation, estimating the mean ion energy from the accelerating potential. By adjusting parameters during the radiation phase, the acceleration characteristics of the plasma focus ion emissions can be altered, while magnetic spectrometry and space charge formulation ensure a reasonable level of data quality.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON PLASMA SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yanyan Wang, Shirong Sun, Xiaoliang Wu, Hanfeng Liang, Wenli Zhang
Summary: Zinc ion hybrid capacitors (ZIHCs) have the potential to be competitive in future electrochemical energy storage applications, combining the high power of supercapacitors and the high energy of zinc ion batteries. Carbon-based materials are considered promising candidates for ZIHC cathodes due to their cost-effectiveness, high electronic conductivity, chemical inertness, controllable surface states, and tunable pore architectures. This review discusses the structural design and electrochemical properties of carbon-based cathode materials with various dimensions for ZIHCs, as well as the selection of compatible and robust current collectors and separators. The challenges and prospects of ZIHCs are highlighted to guide the innovative development of carbon-based cathode materials and novel ZIHCs.
NANO-MICRO LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xin Zeng, Shuai Zhang, Xiucui Hu, Cheng Zhang, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Tao Shao
Summary: With the increase in the greenhouse effect and reduction of fossil fuel resources, finding a feasible solution to directly convert power to chemicals using renewable energy is urgent. The power-to-chemicals approach, such as non-thermal plasma, electro-catalysis, and photo-catalysis, has shown great potential in the past two decades. This paper introduces the application of plasma technology in energy conversion, focusing on plasma-enabled ammonia synthesis and analyzing its state-of-the-art, mechanisms, and techno-economics. It emphasizes the importance of the power-to-chemicals approach in reducing carbon emissions and environmental pollution.
FARADAY DISCUSSIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Amandeep Singh Pannu, Suvankar Sen, Xiaodong (Tony) Wang, Robert Jones, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Prashant Sonar
Summary: Organic-inorganic hybrid lead trihalide perovskites have shown promise in various optoelectronic devices. Red-emitting perovskite-based LEDs have been less developed compared to green and blue ones. This study utilizes red-emitting 2D perovskites and carbon dots to create a stable composite material for red-emitting LEDs with improved performance.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Negar Zebardastan, Jonathan Bradford, Josh Lipton-Duffin, Jennifer MacLeod, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Massimo Tomellini, Nunzio Motta
Summary: Face-to-face annealing is an effective method for obtaining epitaxial graphene with precise control over size, quality, growth rate and thickness.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Kun Liu, Wenqiang Geng, Xiongfeng Zhou, Qingsong Duan, Zhenfeng Zheng, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
Summary: Two modes of the atmospheric-pressure plasma discharge, characterized by the dominant O-3 and NO (x) species, were studied using numerical and experimental methods. A global chemical kinetics model was developed to investigate the mode transition mechanisms, and it accurately described the transition. The individual and synergistic effects of discharge energy and gas temperature on species density and the relative contributions of dominant reactions were quantified under increasing discharge voltage conditions.
PLASMA SOURCES SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Darwin Kurniawan, Jacob Mathew, Michael Ryan Rahardja, Hoang-Phuc Pham, Pei-Chun Wong, Neralla Vijayakameswara Rao, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Wei-Hung Chiang
Summary: This study reports the development of smart anticancer drug nanocarriers through plasma engineering technique. The nanocarriers containing chitosan and nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots can release drugs in a pH-responsive manner and exhibit enhanced toughness. The loaded nanocarriers demonstrate improved drug loading capability and stable release, showing great potential in cancer treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xin Zeng, Shuai Zhang, Yadi Liu, Xiucui Hu, Kostya Ken Ostrikov, Tao Shao
Summary: To meet global net-zero emission targets, sustainable and low-carbon alternatives are urgently needed for energy-intensive industrial processes like ammonia synthesis. In this study, plasma catalysis is used to achieve renewable-electricity-driven ammonia synthesis under mild conditions. By identifying energy loss pathways and optimizing process parameters, such as pulse voltage and gap distance, high ammonia yields with high energy efficiency and low emission footprint are obtained.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rusen Zhou, Dejiang Zhou, Baowang Liu, Lanlan Nie, Yubin Xian, Tianqi Zhang, Renwu Zhou, Xinpei Lu, Kostya Ken Ostrikov, Patrick J. Cullen
Summary: The addition of helium can enhance the synthesis of ammonia by modifying the energy transfer mechanism in the plasma, leading to more efficient activation of N2 and production of NH3.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Tianlai Xia, Yu Yang, Qiang Song, Mingchuan Luo, Mianqi Xue, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Yong Zhao, Fengwang Li
Summary: Recently, electrocatalytic reactions involving oxygen, nitrogen, water, and carbon dioxide have been developed to produce clean energy, fuels, and chemicals. Understanding catalyst structures, active sites, and reaction mechanisms is crucial for improving performance. In this review, we summarize state-of-the-art in situ characterisation techniques used in electrocatalysis, categorizing them into microscopy, spectroscopy, and other techniques. We discuss the capacities and limits of these techniques to guide further advances in the field.
NANOSCALE HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Sanjib Sarkar, Jyoti K. Atul, Modhuchandra Laishram, Dandan Zou, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
Summary: The Farley-Buneman and Gradient Drift instabilities in a partially ionized dusty electrojet region were investigated using a fluid model. The effects of dissociative electron-ion recombination and dust charge fluctuation on the instabilities were considered. The dispersion relation describing the propagation of electrojet instabilities within the dust ion acoustic range in a magnetized partially ionized dusty plasma was solved numerically and analytically. The results showed that the Gradient Drift instability was unstable at a much longer wavelength compared to the Farley-Buneman instability. The threshold electron drift velocity for Farley-Buneman instability was affected by the charge on dust, with a decrease at lower altitudes and an increase at higher altitudes. Furthermore, the dissociative electron-ion recombination had a stronger damping effect than the dust charge fluctuation on both instabilities.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Haotian Gao, Guoli Wang, Zhongzheng Huang, Lanlan Nie, Dawei Liu, Xinpei Lu, Guangyuan He, Kostya Ken Ostrikov
Summary: Nitrogen fixation is a crucial process for various biological and industrial processes, but it is also a major source of carbon emissions globally. In this study, a novel approach using plasma-activated mist (PAM) is proposed for efficient and sustainable nitrogen fixation. The PAM system generates nitrogen-fixation species through the reaction of air plasma and water mist, and the liquid-phase nitrogen fixation product is dominated by NO3-. This system is applied to deliver nitrogen-based nutrients directly to plant roots using an aeroponic system, leading to significant improvements in plant growth.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Ritu Chaudhari, Chhaya Ravikant
Summary: Sensitive and stable defect tolerant detectors with a long life, operating at low bias are essential for portable medical and security applications. Low-cost Polymer-high Z composite with conductive fillers show enhanced charge transportation and better long-term stability compared to conventional direct X-ray detector materials. This study reports a Polystyrene-Bismuth triiodide composite with carbon black incorporated as conductive filler, which exhibits great tolerance towards radiation induced structural damage as well as excellent charge collection efficiency. The composite shows promising potential as a low-bias, portable detector with high stability for X-ray imaging and detection applications.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE-MATERIALS IN ELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Rita Kumari, Vinamrita Singh, Chhaya Ravi Kant
Summary: This study focuses on the synthesis and fabrication of an electrochemical electrode using waste soybean oil and waste coffee ground, which provides enhanced supercapacitive characteristics. Two different methods, ultrasonication mixing and hydrothermal treatment, are demonstrated to lead to different properties and performance in supercapacitors. The sample prepared using ultrasonication mixing shows a twofold increase in the highest specific capacitance, has a higher surface area, and exhibits good device stability after cycling.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Ritu Chaudhari, Chhaya Ravi Kant
Summary: Wide bandgap heavy semiconductor materials, such as BiI3, have potential for room temperature X-ray detection. However, thick samples of BiI3 are prone to defects which limit charge collection efficiency. In this study, we investigate the defects and charge transportation properties of BiI3-polymer composite pellets, and by incorporating carbon-based conductive fillers, we successfully decrease the defect density and increase the mobility-lifetime product of the charge carriers. The results show that stable BiI3-polymer/filler composite pellets have great potential for room temperature X-ray detection and imaging applications.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hsiuan Ling Ho, Jung Yen Yang, Chun Hung Lin, Jiann Shieh, Yu Fang Huang, Yi Hong Ho, Tsung Shine Ko, Chiung Chih Hsu, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov
Summary: The development of reliable and cost-effective molecular detection at the attomolar level on analyte-immobilizing surfaces without lithographic patterning is a challenge in chemical sensing. This study presents a novel approach using plasma etching to produce custom-designed adhesive superhydrophobic silicon nanograss surfaces. These surfaces enable effective immobilization of Ag nanoparticles and R6G target molecules, providing a reliable Raman scattering platform for detecting trace analytes. The study also introduces a plasma-enabled approach for precise interface nanostructuring, potentially leading to unprecedented capabilities in molecular-level sensing technologies.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinyong Lin, Dong Li, Changhong Li, Ziqi Zhuang, Chengchao Chu, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Erik W. W. Thompson, Gang Liu, Peiyu Wang
Summary: Cancer cells are more susceptible to oxidative stress and nanomaterials-based therapies that generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been effective in eliminating cancer cells. These therapies, including chemodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, sonodynamic therapy, as well as multi-modal therapies such as combination therapy, have shown significant inhibition of tumor growth. However, the limitations of multi-modal therapy in material preparation and operation protocols hinder its clinical application. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), as a reliable source of ROS, light, and electromagnetic fields, provides a simple alternative for implementing multi-modal treatments. Therefore, the emerging field of tumor precision medicine is expected to benefit from these promising multi-modal therapies based on ROS-generating nanomaterials and reactive media like CAPs.
