Article
Chemistry, Physical
Nina Mertz, Anan Yaghmur, Jesper Ostergaard, Heinz Amenitsch, Susan Weng Larsen
Summary: The study highlights the importance of understanding the dynamic structural transitions occurring in synovial fluid for the design of depot formulations for intra-articular drug delivery, using real-time synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering technology.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhonghua Wu, Yunpeng Liu, Xueqing Xing, Lei Yao, Zhongjun Chen, Guang Mo, Lirong Zheng, Quan Cai, Hao Wang, Jiajun Zhong, Yuecheng Lai, Lixiong Qian
Summary: This study presents a novel setup for combined small-angle X-ray scattering/X-ray diffraction/X-ray absorption fine structure (SAXS/XRD/XAFS) to obtain multiple structural information simultaneously. The setup employs different detectors for measuring SAXS, XRD, and XAFS signals. The use of a minitype diamond detector coupled to a SAXS beamstop enables compatible measurements of scattering and absorption signals without mechanical switching. Two-way and high-frequency sampling strategies are implemented to shorten non-counting time and improve measurement efficiency and signal-to-noise ratio. The rotation of the monochromator is the only mechanical movement during measurements, allowing for time resolutions within seconds. This combined setup offers the potential to track the structure evolution in complex fluids.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Adam A. L. Michalchuk, Franziska Emmerling
Summary: Mechanochemical transformations offer environmentally friendly routes for synthesis, increasing reaction speed and selectivity. Time-resolved in situ (TRIS) approaches have provided new insights into mechanochemical reactions, revealing new features and advancing our understanding through the combination of complementary techniques.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Pinar Eneren, Anastasiya Sergievskaya, Yunus Tansu Aksoy, Polona Umek, Stephanos Konstantinidis, Maria Rosaria Vetrano
Summary: Despite extensive research since 1996, there are still questions regarding the nucleation process and growth mechanism of nanoparticles (NPs) for magnetron sputtering onto liquids. In this study, the size evolution of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) during and after sputtering onto silicone oil is observed in real-time using the Light Extinction Spectroscopy (LES) technique. The results show that Ag NPs larger than 20 nm are detected, and their size distribution is polydisperse. The study also reveals that aggregation and growth of Ag NPs occur at the plasma-liquid interface and inside the silicone oil.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Polymer Science
Younggi Hong, Munju Goh
Summary: This paper reviews the impact of network structure on the thermal properties of epoxy resin (EP) and the feasibility of creating new functionalities by modifying the structure of EP. Liquid crystalline epoxy (LCE) is considered as a promising new material with wide applications in highly thermally conductive composite materials.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hyun Sun Cho, Friedrich Schotte, Valentyn Stadnytskyi, Philip Anfinrud
Summary: Time-resolved small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering studies of proteins in solution using the pump-probe approach can provide structural information from intermediates across different length and time scales. While promising, only a fraction of the potential information encoded in scattering data has been extracted so far. The article discusses the methodology, summarizes recent results, and explores the potential for extracting additional information from these scattering curves.
CURRENT OPINION IN STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Debasis Sen, Avik Das, Jitendra Bahadur, Himal Bhatt
Summary: Dehydration-induced shrinkage of fibrillar network is a common phenomenon in nature. In this study, time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering was used to investigate the structural shrinkage of plant fibrillar network. It was found that the shrinkage of inter-fibrillary voids strongly depended on the nature of the hydration medium. Shrinkage in neutral and acidic media followed a logistic model, while shrinkage in alkaline medium was insignificant. Significant alterations of fibrils were observed under hydration in strong alkaline medium, hindering the shrinkage process.
SURFACES AND INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Maroua Louati, Jean-Francois Tahon, David Fournier, Gregory Stoclet, Stephane Aloise, Marumi Takao, Michinori Takeshita, Jean-Marc Lefebvre, Sophie Barrau
Summary: The structural evolution of a supramolecular copolymer assembly based on multiple hydrogen bonds was investigated through in situ WAXS and SAXS experimentation. The impact of the hydrogen bonding network on structural arrangements was highlighted, with special attention to the crystallinity and crystal forms associated with ethylene sequences. Crystalline domains with an in-plane arrangement between neighboring UPy dimers were detected up to 80 degrees C.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuxian Zhang, Hiroyuki Yoshida, SeongYong Cho, Jun-ichi Fukuda, Masanori Ozaki
Summary: In this study, the microscopic optical characterization of (211) crystal twinning in blue phases was conducted, revealing the effect of twinning on optical diffraction patterns and the pinning effect of twin boundaries during the cubic-to-orthogonal structure transformation. These findings not only provide insights for the application of blue phases as electro-optic crystals but also contribute to understanding hierarchical crystallographic structures.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
P. Romero-Hasler, E. A. Soto-Bustamante, C. Parry-Mix, B. I. Ostrovskii
Summary: A series of 4-alkyloxyphenyl 4-(6-(methacryloyloxy)hexyloxy))benzoate monomers were synthesized and characterized. The study reveals the presence of both the nematic and monolayered orthogonal smectic A phase in the M6En series. It was found that monomers with a terminal chain length of five to twelve carbon atoms exhibit a wide temperature range of stable smectic A phase and a narrow intervening nematic phase at higher temperatures. The phase diagram and mesogenic properties of the M6En series are discussed in relation to the molecular structure of these monomers.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR LIQUIDS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wojciech J. Nawrocki, Michael R. Jones, Raoul N. Frese, Roberta Croce, Vincent M. Friebe
Summary: Photosynthetic reaction centers play a crucial role in solar energy conversion, but transferring them from their natural membrane environment to artificial architectures leads to efficiency losses. This study identified bottlenecks in electron transfer and a short-circuiting of separated charges as the main causes for efficiency reduction in a biophotoelectrode.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
J. Royes, V. A. Bjornestad, G. Brun, T. Narayanan, R. Lund, C. Tribet
Summary: Photoswitchable surfactants are used in the design of light-responsive colloids and self-assemblies. This study investigates the intermediate lipid-surfactant assemblies formed during fast isothermal photo-triggered transitions. The experiments reveal that the transient assemblies detected during the photo-triggered kinetics are similar to the stationary states. Additionally, the reorganization speed of surfactant-enriched assemblies is faster than that of lipid-enriched ones.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guangxin Lv, Chengtian Shen, Naisong Shan, Elynn Jensen, Xiaoru Li, Christopher M. Evans, David G. Cahill
Summary: The rapid development of high-performance computing and high-power electronics has increased the demand for highly thermal conductive polymers. Through studying the thermal conductivity of epoxy resins, the odd-even effects of the ethylene linker length on liquid crystalline order, mass density, and thermal conductivity were discovered. Controlling the linker length is an effective way to design thermally conductive polymers.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuzhan Li, Veronica Ambrogi, Pierfrancesco Cerruti, Monojoy Goswami, Zhou Yang, Michael R. Kessler, Orlando Rios
Summary: Liquid crystalline epoxy networks (LCENs) are a type of functional materials that combine the properties of liquid crystals and epoxy networks, showing unique thermal, mechanical, and stimuli-responsive characteristics. They are widely used in various applications such as sensors, coatings, and soft robotics. By understanding the structure-processing-property relationships, materials engineers can develop LCENs with desired functionalities. Research on LCENs continues to advance, with focus on advanced manufacturing and multi-functional design, providing novel materials for future technologies.
INTERNATIONAL MATERIALS REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Adam Czajka, Peter A. Lovell, Steven P. Armes
Summary: In this study, time-resolved synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (TR-SAXS) was used to investigate the process of aqueous emulsion polymerization. The experiments were performed on the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), and it was found that when the concentration of the surfactant SDS was above its critical micelle concentration (CMC), intense micellar nucleation occurred, resulting in a large number of smaller latex particles. On the other hand, when the SDS concentration was below its CMC, particle nuclei were formed by homogeneous nucleation, leading to a larger number of smaller particles. These findings are important for understanding the mechanism of aqueous emulsion polymerization.
