Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Hidetaka Asoh, Daichi Sekido, Hideki Hashimoto
Summary: The research investigates the chemical etching of silicon substrates using graphite microparticles as a catalyst. Graphite-coated silicon substrates were immersed in an etchant composed of HF and H2O2, with the graphite particles sinking down in the silicon surfaces to enable selective etching. This graphite-assisted chemical etching process offers a viable, low-cost micromachining alternative to using expensive noble metal catalysts.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Huanhuan Yuan, Yunjie Liu, Ling Tong, Zhiwei Wang
Summary: A comparative investigation was conducted on the morphologies and structures of Au nanoparticles synthesized using different capping agents, revealing a synergistic effect of shape-directing agents on growth pathways and shape formation. Depending on the specific use of surfactants/polymers, iodide additives can promote or lead to the evolution of nanoparticle shapes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qi Wang, Kehong Zhou, Shuai Zhao, Wen Yang, Hongsheng Zhang, Wensheng Yan, Yi Huang, Guodong Yuan
Summary: This paper demonstrates a damage-free, rapid metal-assisted chemical etching (MacEtch) method for anisotropic deep trenching of GaN, providing a new approach for GaN-based devices fabrication. The optimized etchant is studied to restrain disorder accumulation of excessive Cu particles and ensure continuous etching result, showing promise for promoting evolution of GaN-based device fabrication.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shahnawaz Uddin, Md Roslan Hashim, Mohd Zamir Pakhuruddin
Summary: This study investigated the fabrication of b-Si absorber using the AACE process for the first time, and found that b-Si fabricated with a 12 nm thick aluminum film exhibited the lowest Ravg and highest broadband light absorption. The findings demonstrate the potential of the AACE process for producing b-Si with superior broadband light absorption, which is important for photovoltaic applications.
MATERIALS CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Enrico Lavagna, Sebastian Salassi, Davide Bochicchio, Giulia Rossi
Summary: This study computationally investigates the colloidal aggregation of gold nanoparticles isotropically functionalized by a mixture of charged and hydrophobic ligands, and reveals that anisotropic aggregates with different topologies can be formed by varying the proportion of the two ligands.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Beatriz D. Cardoso, Ana Rita O. Rodrigues, Manuel Banobre-Lopez, Bernardo G. Almeida, Carlos O. Amorim, Vitor S. Amaral, Paulo J. G. Coutinho, Elisabete M. S. Castanheira
Summary: The study introduces a novel lipid nanocarrier with superparamagnetic properties for precise drug release through magnetic guidance and control. Optimized manufacturing techniques result in the production of nano-systems with suitable sizes for biomedical applications and high encapsulation efficiency, exhibiting superior drug release kinetics under hyperthermia temperatures and acidic conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Meijuan Yuan, Xiaotian Guo, Nan Li, Huan Pang
Summary: By utilizing biomass materials, optimal catalytic properties for the urea electro-oxidation reaction were achieved, resulting in lower potential and higher efficiency for energy conversion.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael J. Zachman, Victor Fung, Felipe Polo-Garzon, Shaohong Cao, Jisue Moon, Zhennan Huang, De-en Jiang, Zili Wu, Miaofang Chi
Summary: Precise control of charge transfer between catalyst nanoparticles and supports can enhance catalytic performance. Researchers demonstrated a scanning transmission electron microscopy method to visualize atomic-scale structure and sub-nanometer-scale charge distribution in heterogeneous catalysts, revealing the atomic-scale mechanisms behind highly active perimeter sites.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stella Gries, Manuel Brinker, Berit Zeller-Plumhoff, Dagmar Rings, Tobias Krekeler, Elena Longo, Imke Greving, Patrick Huber
Summary: Many biological materials have both small nanoscale pores and large macroscopic capillaries, allowing for optimized mass transport and lightweight structures. This study presents a novel approach to create hierarchical porosity in artificial materials using metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) and photolithography, resulting in single-crystalline silicon with bimodal pore size distribution. The process involves a metal-catalyzed reduction-oxidation reaction and silver nanoparticles acting as catalysts. The resulting hierarchically porous silicon membranes have potential applications in energy storage, sensorics, and opto-fluidic applications.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minki Jun, Taehyun Kwon, Yunchang Son, Byeongyoon Kim, Kwangyeol Lee
Summary: The article discusses the possibility of atom migration in nanoparticles and the factors influencing the migration behavior of atoms in nanoparticles. It proposes a method for synthesizing multiphasic nanocrystals by manipulating the chemical field. The article also classifies and discusses the chemical field modes in metallic alloy systems and ionic systems.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Wataru Kubota, Ryoya Yamaoka, Toru Utsunomiya, Takashi Ichii, Hiroyuki Sugimura
Summary: The vapor-phase etching assisted by graphene oxide enhances the etching reaction without the formation of a porous layer, and microcontact printing of graphene oxide can be combined with silicon etching to form micrometer-sized pores in desired areas.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Julian A. Michaels, Lukas Janavicius, Xihang Wu, Clarence Chan, Hsieh-Chih Huang, Shunya Namiki, Munho Kim, Dane Sievers, Xiuling Li
Summary: This paper presents a plasma-free, open-circuit, photo-induced metal-assisted chemical etch method for fabricating micro and nanoscale features on Silicon carbide without causing high energy ion-related surface damage. The comprehensive exploration of parameter space demonstrates the controllability and versatility of this technique in producing ordered arrays of micro and nanoscale SiC structures with porous or solid sidewalls, while elucidating the etching mechanism.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shengyang Li, Kexun Chen, Ville Vahanissi, Ivan Radevici, Hele Savin, Jani Oksanen
Summary: Metal-assisted chemical etching process for fabricating Si nanostructures has been studied, revealing the involvement of electrons in the conduction band and enabling a new electroless chemical energy conversion process. This study highlights the need to reformulate the microscopic electrochemical description of Simetal-oxidant nanosystems to separately account for electron and hole injections.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zi-Han Hsu, Li Hsu, Chia-Chi Huang
Summary: This report introduces a method for preparing polyacrylamide materials with unique surface morphology. By cross-linking and reduction reactions, the smooth polymer surface is transformed into submicron cubic clusters impregnated with silver nanoparticles. The resulting material resembles the Great Barrier Reefs in overall morphology and features a high content of active silver nanostructures. It demonstrates versatility in surface-enhanced Raman scattering and methanolysis catalysis. These methods enlarge the surface area of the shape-adapting polymer material while generating minimal chemical waste.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sami Iqbal, Azam Hussain, Weiping Wu, Dan Su, Yi Yang, Xinli Guo, Tong Zhang
Summary: A novel octagonal micro pyramid structure was successfully formed on a monocrystalline silicon wafer using a wet chemical anisotropic etching process. This structure has the functions of reducing reflectance, improving surface morphology, and increasing coverage. By controlling the reaction time and adding hydrofluoric acid, the preparation efficiency and rate can be further improved.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Blaise J. Ostertag, Michael T. Cryan, Joel M. Serrano, Guoliang Liu, Ashley E. Ross
Summary: The research introduces a method to enhance the detection of neurochemicals like dopamine using porous carbon nanofibers on carbon fiber microelectrodes. The modification leads to improved sensitivity and stability in detecting dopamine and other neurochemicals, highlighting the potential of porous nanostructures in enhancing electrochemical detection.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zacary L. Croft, Zhen Xu, Ke Cao, Dong Guo, Saran Sreeharikesan, Connor Thompson, Gabriel Zeltzer, Guoliang Liu
Summary: In this study, PEI/SLG laminate thin films were prepared to evaluate the effective reinforcement using the mixing rule, which revealed the ideal mixing rule is followed only beyond a critical value of phi(g). This finding explains the wide inconsistency of E-g reported in the literature and will guide the fabrication of laminate polymer-graphene thin films with near-ideal mechanical reinforcement.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jyotsna Ramachandran, Joel M. Serrano, Liu Tianyu, Jinwon Cho, Pedro J. Arias-Monje, Mingxuan Lu, Mohammad Hamza Kirmani, John Elliott, Seung Soon Jang, Guoliang Liu, Satish Kumar
Summary: Block copolymer-based porous carbon fibers produced by gel-spinning exhibit excellent mechanical and electrochemical properties. The structure and pyrolysis temperature have a significant impact on the performance of the fibers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Samson N. Dada, Godwin K. Babanyinah, Michael T. Tetteh, Victoria E. Palau, Zachary F. Walls, Koyamangalath Krishnan, Zacary Croft, Assad U. Khan, Guoliang Liu, Thomas E. Wiese, Ellen Glotser, Hua Mei
Summary: In this study, folic acid-conjugated carbon dot nanoparticles were prepared to deliver doxorubicin to cancer cells. These nanoparticles exhibited excellent fluorescence properties and showed promising therapeutic effects.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Joel M. Serrano, Glenn A. Spiering, Zhen Xu, Zacary Croft, Dong Guo, Ke Cao, Robert B. Moore, Guoliang Liu
Summary: This study explores the influence of relative humidity on the morphology of polyacrylonitrile fibers, which in turn affects the flexibility and electrochemical properties of porous carbon fibers. PCFs prepared using the VIPS method exhibit a core-sheath structure and demonstrate good capacitance and mechanical strength in flexible capacitor assemblies.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Kai Lan, Yuan Deng, Ao Huang, Shi-Qin Li, Guoliang Liu, He-Lou Xie
Summary: Solar interfacial evaporation is an efficient sustainable technology for clean water production that can help mitigate global water shortage. This research presents a photocatalytic material composed of polyimide (PI) and carbon nanotube (CNT) which exhibits high solar energy absorption efficiency and stability, making it a potential portable technology for water purification.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lei Tao, Jinlong He, Nuwayo Eric Munyaneza, Vikas Varshney, Wei Chen, Guoliang Liu, Ying Li
Summary: This study explores the discovery of high-performance polyimides using machine learning and molecular dynamics simulations. A comprehensive library of over 8 million hypothetical polyimides is built, and multiple machine learning models are established to predict the thermal and mechanical properties of polyimides. Through the screening of machine learning models, three novel polyimides with superior properties are discovered and validated through molecular dynamics simulations and experiments. This study provides an efficient approach to expedite the discovery of novel polymers.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Juan Diego Shiraishi Lombard, Tianyu Liu, Guoliang Liu, Carolina Tallon
Summary: The effects of thermal treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of electrospun polystyrene (PS) fibers were investigated. It was found that the internal porosity of the fibers decreased with a decreasing cooling rate and with an increasing annealing time. The severity of fusion of the fiber mats during cutting also decreased with a decreasing cooling rate and was eliminated by constant-temperature annealing at 110 degrees C for 10 min. Uniaxial tensile testing showed a degradation in mechanical properties at a cooling rate of 0.1 °C/s with a recovery in strength and ductility, but further degradation of stiffness at 0.03 °C/s. Similar degradation of mechanical properties was found after annealing at 110 °C for 10 min, followed by a recovery of strength, stiffness, and ductility at 60 min. This work demonstrates the importance of annealing PS fibers to enhance their performance in other manufacturing processes.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Gianna M. Argento, Dylan R. Judd, Leila L. Etemad, Madison M. Bechard, Michelle L. Personick
Summary: Defects in metal nanoparticles are crucial in controlling interfacial processes, such as catalytic reactions. Synthetic methods for tuning the twin defect structure of metal nanoparticles have been explored, but it is challenging due to subtle reaction kinetics. This study demonstrates a plasmon-mediated reconfiguration pathway for silver nanoparticles, where they transition from planar twinned triangular prisms to multiply twinned icosahedra, then to multiply twinned nanospheres, and eventually back to planar twinned triangular prisms through precise manipulation of reaction kinetics using illumination wavelength and pH.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nuwayo Eric Munyaneza, Carlos Posada, Zhen Xu, Vincenzo De Altin Popiolek, Griffin Paddock, Charles McKee, Guoliang Liu
Summary: Polystyrene (PS) is rarely recycled due to the bulkiness of foam products and associated contaminants. In this study, a thermochemical recycling strategy was proposed to synthesize high-value aromatic chemicals from PS waste. The approach involved degradation of PS to benzene followed by derivatization using various additives. The versatility and scalability of this method make it a profitable way to upcycle PS waste into value-added chemicals.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhen Xu, Nuwayo Eric Munyaneza, Qikun Zhang, Mengqi Sun, Carlos Posada, Paul Venturo, Nicholas A. Rorrer, Joel Miscall, Bobby G. Sumpter, Guoliang Liu
Summary: Conversion of plastic wastes to fatty acids is an attractive and economically viable method for supplementing the sourcing of high-value chemicals. Our method achieves a conversion rate of up to 80% and produces fatty acids with high molar masses. The process can be applied to municipal PE and PP wastes, and the resulting fatty acids can be further converted into high-value surfactants without the need for subsidies.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shi-Qin Li, Yuan Deng, Jiang Huang, Pu Wang, Guoliang Liu, He-Lou Xie
Summary: By designing and synthesizing polyimide copolymers, intrinsic photothermal properties are introduced into the material. The UV and near-infrared light absorption, as well as the photothermal properties of the PIs, can be modulated by tuning the molar ratio of the two diamine monomers. The resulting PI-0.5, synthesized at the optimal molar ratio, exhibits the best photothermal efficiency and is used to construct 3D steam generators that operate stably under varying salinity and pH conditions.
Article
Polymer Science
Mengqi Sun, Zhen Xu, Nuwayo Eric Munyaneza, Yue Zhang, Carlos Posada, Guoliang Liu
Summary: In this study, the chemical degradation of poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (PC) in dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), catalyzed by copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs), was investigated. PC was degraded to bisphenol A (BPA) via hydrolytic decomposition in DMF, with an appreciable yield of about 80%. In contrast, PC degradation in DMSO resulted in oligomeric or branched/crosslinked PC, possibly due to radical-assisted chain cleavage. The different degradation behaviors of PC in DMF and DMSO highlight the importance of solvents in polymer degradation, which can lead to different pathways of hydrolytic depolymerization or radical-assisted chain scission, branching, and crosslinking. This work provides new insight into the recycling of plastic waste and offers new avenues to induce polymer branching/crosslinking.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
John P. Elliott, Naresh C. Osti, Madhusudan Tyagi, Eugene Mamontov, Lifeng Liu, Joel M. Serrano, Ke Cao, Guoliang Liu
Summary: This study investigates the confinement of ionic liquids in block copolymer-based porous carbon fibers (PCFs). It is found that the ion diffusion in PCFs is 7-fold faster than in the bulk, suggesting the exceptional potential of PCFs in electrochemical catalysis, energy conversion, and storage.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Electrochemistry
Dong Guo, Wenqi Zhao, Fuping Pan, Guoliang Liu
Summary: Rechargeable aqueous Zn MnO2 batteries are attractive due to their high energy density, safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, the low electrical conductivity of binders and the thickness of MnO2 still limit the fast-charging performance.
BATTERIES & SUPERCAPS
(2022)