Article
Energy & Fuels
Syam G. Krishnan, Midhun Harilal, Numan Arshid, Priyanka Jagadish, Mohammad Khalid, Lau Phei Li
Summary: This study presents a method for rapid and scalable synthesis of MnCo2O4 nanoflakes using microwave-assisted synthesis technique, and characterizes its chemical, surface, and electrochemical properties. It was found that 3M KOH enhanced the specific capacitance of the electrode and provided good cycling stability.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhuo Yu, Qichen Li, Jun Liao, Yong Zhang, Lin Zhang, Wenkun Zhu
Summary: Three nano-manganese oxide materials were prepared using chitosan as the template agent at different temperatures. The material calcined at 600 degrees C showed the best adsorption capacity and efficiency for uranium (VI), indicating its potential application in wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jeonghyo Kim, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Martin Pumera
Summary: This article presents magnetically actuated 2D-microrobot photocatalysts that enhance photocatalysis through improved mass transfer. The microrobots, made of layered MnPS3 and Fe3O4 nanochains, are propelled by magnetic fields and exhibit enhanced photochemical reactions due to their movement and swarming behavior.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Paula Mayorga-Burrezo, Carmen C. Mayorga-Martinez, Jeonghyo Kim, Martin Pumera
Summary: Growing awareness of the harmful effects of sunlight overexposure has led to the regular use of sunscreens. However, the increasing concentration of related pollutants has caused major environmental side-effects. To address this global threat, magnetically-driven photoactive microrobots have been developed for water remediation, offering an efficient solution. These microrobots exhibit magnetic steering motion and easy retrieval, thanks to their modified surface. By combining adsorption and photocatalytic activity, they can effectively degrade organic UV filters in suntan lotions. The magnetically-driven navigation contributes to the enhanced degradation of these harmful substances.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tao Wang, Zhanjun Chen, Deliang Chen, Ruirui Zhao
Summary: A novel porous MnO-SiOx @C composite with a mesoporous structure and carbon coating has been successfully prepared as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The enhanced electrochemical performance is attributed to the segregation of MnO and SiOx during delithiation, the presence of uniform carbon layers and abundant nanopores, and the formation of Mn2SiO4 phase as a joint to relieve strain force.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Songshan Bi, Yan Zhang, Shenzhen Deng, Zhiwei Tie, Zhiqiang Niu
Summary: This study introduces proton intercalation chemistry in aqueous manganese-ion batteries, utilizing layered AlVO cathode to achieve enhanced electrochemical performance. It provides a new approach for the design of high-performance aqueous MIBs.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Debabrata Maiti, Kingshuk Mahanty, Suman De Sarkar
Summary: An environmentally friendly and efficient electro-oxidative tandem azidation-radical cyclization strategy was reported, utilizing manganese-catalyzed electrochemical reaction in an undivided cell at room temperature and the use of NaN3 as the cheapest azide source. This protocol successfully synthesized a series of oxindole and quinolinone derivatives, with the azide functionality efficiently converted to various valuable derivatives.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhenyu Chen, Chao Hao, Bowen Yan, Qiuyan Chen, Huiyan Feng, Xiaoqing Mao, Jianmei Cen, Zhi Qun Tian, Panagiotis Tsiakaras, Pei Kang Shen
Summary: A self-confined method for synthesizing highly dispersed PtCo-alloy on Co, N co-doped mesoporous carbon (PCN-MC) was developed via a dual-template strategy. By adjusting the feeding-ratio, the alloying degree and nanoparticle size were optimized to achieve outstanding oxygen reduction reaction activity and durability.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Christine Young, Bing-Yi Yi, Hong-Ting Chen
Summary: The paper demonstrates a self-templated strategy for synthesizing CuxS/C nanoparticles derived from Cu-BTC through proper sulfurization and annealing process. The CuxS/C heterostructure is a promising candidate material for electrochemical applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuxin Gao, Yuan Guo, Yaorong Yang, Yanping Tang, Biao Wang, Qihang Yan, Xiyu Chen, Junxiang Cai, Li Fang, Ze Xiong, Fei Gao, Changjin Wu, Jizhuang Wang, Jinyao Tang, Lei Shi, Dan Li
Summary: Optically controlled neuromodulation is a promising approach for basic research and treatment of neurological diseases. In this study, a magnetically-manipulated optoelectronic hybrid microrobot (MOHR) is developed for precise non-genetic neuromodulation. The MOHR integrates magnetic components into the metal-insulator-semiconductor junction design, enabling excellent magnetic control and optoelectronic properties. The MOHR demonstrates various magnetic manipulation modes for accurate navigation in different biofluids. Through its photoelectric response to visible light, the MOHR achieves precise neuromodulation at the single-cell level. Moreover, the MOHR effectively restores neuronal activity in beta-amyloid-damaged neurons, highlighting its potential for therapeutic use. The hybrid microrobot system shows promise for targeted optical neuromodulation.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. Mbarek, Abeer S. Altowyan, W. Taouali, K. Alimi
Summary: The study focuses on the elaboration of nanowires from organic polymers to design novel nanoelectronic devices. VK-Stilbene nanowires were prepared using a template method and characterized through morphological spectroscopy and micro-Raman analysis. It was found that the nanowires exhibit a blue shift in luminescence, long lifetime, and blue-shifted properties, suitable for nanotechnologies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alesya Fokina, Yulia Poletaeva, Svetlana Dukova, Kristina Klabenkova, Zinaida Radkova, Anastasia Bakulina, Timofei Zatsepin, Elena Ryabchikova, Dmitry Stetsenko
Summary: A template-assisted assembly approach to a C24 fullerene-like double-stranded DNA polyhedral shell is proposed. The assembly employed a supramolecular oligonucleotide dendrimer as a 3D template that was obtained via the hybridization of siRNA strands and a single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide joined to three- or four-way branched junctions. The article discusses the use of a photolabile protecting group to prevent premature auto-hybridization of the self-complementary oligonucleotides, as well as the incorporation of cleavable linkers to guide the post-assembly disconnection of the shell. The study also explores the modification of siRNA strands to enhance enzymatic stability.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jin Zhang, Jia Hao Ma, Jingyuan Bai, Dalong Yang, Meilin Zhang, Zhou Yang, Longyi Fan, Xiao Lin Chen, Ren Guo Guan
Summary: A novel dual-template assisted electrodeposition method has been developed in this study to fabricate Cu/Cu2O porous nanowires with high electrocatalytic activity. These nanowires consist of a porous skeleton with nanosized pores and crystallized ligaments, showing promising selectivity for NH3 conversion. The approach is anticipated to be applicable for the synthesis of porous nanomaterials through electrochemical means.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger Sanchis-Gual, Hao Ye, Towa Ueno, Fabian C. Landers, Lukas Hertle, Siyu Deng, Andrea Veciana, Yanming Xia, Carlos Franco, Hongsoo Choi, Josep Puigmarti-Luis, Bradley J. Nelson, Xiang-Zhong Chen, Salvador Pane
Summary: The past decade has witnessed a rise in the development of small-scale magnetic robots for biomedical applications. However, many of the designs reported have biocompatibility concerns. This study introduces a strategy to fabricate biocompatible and degradable microrobots using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based magnetic hydrogel. The PVA-based magnetic microrobots, with different morphologies and tunable stability, can be used for targeted drug and cell delivery due to their high mobility, tunable stability, and high biocompatibility.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bal Sydulu Singu, Emad S. Goda, Kuk Ro Yoon
Summary: In this study, multiwall carbon nanotubes were used as a reducing agent to prepare CNT-MnO2 nanocomposites by varying the amount of potassium permanganate. The chemical compositions and electrochemical properties of the synthesized materials were analyzed, showing that CNT-MnO2-25 nanocomposites exhibited excellent specific capacitance and capacitance retention.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Roberto Fagotto Clavijo, Marta Riba-Moliner, Arantzazu Gonzalez-Campo, Jordi Sort, Eva Pellicer, Konrad Eiler
Summary: Highly porous Ni films were synthesized using custom-made PS-b-P4VP block copolymer micelles as a soft template. The Ni films exhibited large pores with diameters varying from 25 to 600 nm (1:1) and from 10 to 230 nm (1:4). Compared to dense Ni films and highly mesoporous Ni films with monodisperse 10 nm wide pores, the porous Ni films showed significantly improved electrocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media, with lower overpotential and better long-term stability.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Arnon Fluksman, Aritz Lafuent, Zhi Li, Jordi Sort, Silvia Lope-Piedrafita, Maria Jose Esplandiu, Josep Nogues, Alejandro G. Roca, Ofra Benn, Borja Sepulveda
Summary: In this study, metal iron based magnetoplasmonic drug-loaded nanocapsules (MAPSULES) were developed to enhance the efficacy of cancer nanotherapies locally. The MAPSULES combine powerful external magnetic concentration in the tumor and efficient photothermal actuation to boost the drug therapeutic action at ultralow drug concentrations. The results show that this approach has the potential to significantly amplify the therapeutic effects of drugs for different diseases.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhengwei Tan, Julius de Rojas, Sofia Martins, Aitor Lopeandia, Alberto Quintana, Matteo Cialone, Javier Herrero-Martin, Johan Meersschaut, Andre Vantomme, Jose L. Costa-Kramer, Jordi Sort, Enric Menendez
Summary: Magneto-ionics is a promising technology for energy-efficient spintronics, but the post-stimulated behavior of magneto-ionic systems is not well-controlled. In this study, we demonstrate a voltage-controllable N ion accumulation effect on the outer surface of CoN films, allowing for control of magneto-ionic properties during and after voltage pulse actuation. This effect has potential applications in neuromorphic computing, such as post-stimulated neural learning.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Deepti Raj, Gabriele Barrera, Federico Scaglione, Federica Celegato, Matteo Cialone, Marco Coisson, Paola Tiberto, Jordi Sort, Paola Rizzi, Eva Pellicer
Summary: Dense and mesoporous FePd nanowires were successfully fabricated using template- and micelle-assisted pulsed potentiostatic electrodeposition. The structural and magnetic properties of the nanowires were investigated, and it was found that the mesoporous core and dense shell structure slightly affected the magnetic properties. Moreover, the mesoporous nanowires showed excellent performance as SERS substrates for the detection of 4,4'-bipyridine, attributed to the mesoporous morphology and the close proximity of the embedded nanowires enabling localized surface plasmon resonance.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roger Sanchis-Gual, Hao Ye, Towa Ueno, Fabian C. Landers, Lukas Hertle, Siyu Deng, Andrea Veciana, Yanming Xia, Carlos Franco, Hongsoo Choi, Josep Puigmarti-Luis, Bradley J. Nelson, Xiang-Zhong Chen, Salvador Pane
Summary: The past decade has witnessed a rise in the development of small-scale magnetic robots for biomedical applications. However, many of the designs reported have biocompatibility concerns. This study introduces a strategy to fabricate biocompatible and degradable microrobots using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based magnetic hydrogel. The PVA-based magnetic microrobots, with different morphologies and tunable stability, can be used for targeted drug and cell delivery due to their high mobility, tunable stability, and high biocompatibility.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joao Pedro Vale, Abderrahime Sekkat, Thomas Gheorghin, Semih Sevim, Eirini Mavromanolaki, Andreas D. Flouris, Salvador Pane, David Munoz-Rojas, Josep Puigmarti-Luis, Tiago Sotto Mayor
Summary: Spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) is a thin-film deposition technique that allows precise control over film growth without the need for vacuum. Through numerical simulation, design maps and a predictive equation were developed to predict the growth regime of SALD systems under different conditions. This provides researchers with a convenient way to design, operate, and optimize SALD systems.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Marija Vukomanovic, Lea Gazvoda, Mario Kurtjak, Marjeta Macek-Krzmanc, Matjaz Spreitzer, Qiao Tang, Jiang Wu, Hao Ye, Xiangzhong Chen, Michele Mattera, Josep Puigmarti-Luis, Salvador Vidal Pane
Summary: Poly-L-lactide (PLLA) has the potential to be used as a biocompatible, biodegradable, and implantable piezoelectric material for mimicking biophysical processes. By modifying PLLA with a small amount of crystalline filler particles, the piezoelectricity of PLLA can be increased and provide a larger voltage output during ultrasound-assisted activation. The films also show low ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase local temperature during interactions with ultrasound.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiao Tang, Jiang Wu, Xiang-Zhong Chen, Roger Sanchis-Gual, Andrea Veciana, Carlos Franco, Donghoon Kim, Ivan Surin, Javier Perez-Ramirez, Michele Mattera, Anastasia Terzopoulou, Ni Qin, Marija Vukomanovic, Bradley J. Nelson, Josep Luis, Salvador Pan
Summary: In this paper, oxygen vacancies (OVs) were introduced in Bi4Ti3O12 (BIT) nanosheets to enhance their piezo-photocatalytic performance. Compared to pristine BIT nanosheets, BIT with optimized OV concentration showed excellent piezo-photocatalytic activity, with a 2.2 times enhancement of the degradation rate constant for Rhodamine B (RhB). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to investigate the effect of OVs on adsorption energy and Bader charges, providing insights into the underlying mechanism of OV enhanced piezo-photocatalytic activity. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the regulation mechanism of OV enhanced piezo-photocatalytic activity and offers new approaches for designing high-performance piezo-photocatalysts.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
P. Monalisha, Zheng Ma, Eva Pellicer, Enric Menendez, Jordi Sort
Summary: This study exploits voltage-driven nitrogen ion motion in transition metal nitride thin films to emulate biological synapses, achieving distinct multilevel non-volatile magnetic states and successfully simulating essential synaptic functionalities of the human brain. The device exhibits excellent synaptic properties and is suitable for hardware implementation of neuromorphic computing.
ADVANCED ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Muireann de h-Ora, Aliona Nicolenco, P. Monalisha, Tuhin Maity, Bonan Zhu, Shinbuhm Lee, Zhuotong Sun, Jordi Sort, Judith MacManus-Driscoll
Summary: Tuning the properties of magnetic materials through voltage-driven ion migration allows for energy-efficient and non-volatile magnetic memory and neuromorphic computing. We demonstrated significant changes in magnetic moment and coercivity in an array of CFO nanopillar electrodes with an applied voltage, along with fast magneto-ionic response and high cyclability. The magnetic switching is attributed to the modulation of oxygen content in CFO, and the self-assembled nanopillar structures emulate various synaptic behaviors for analog computing and high-density storage. CFO nanopillar arrays have the potential to be used as interconnected synapses for advanced neuromorphic computing applications.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Minsoo Kim, Donghoon Kim, Buse Aktas, Hongsoo Choi, Josep Puigmarti-Luis, Bradley J. Nelson, Salvador Pane, Xiang-Zhong Chen
Summary: This study presents flexible magnetoelectric (ME) oxide composite (BaTiO3/CoFe2O4) thin film nanostructures with distinct ME coupling coefficients. These ceramic nanostructures exhibit flexible behavior and can be transferred onto a stretchable substrate. The ceramic films possess high ME coefficients and exhibit tunable ME coupling via mechanical stretching. The study suggests potential applications of ceramic ME composites in micro/nanoelectromechanical systems and soft robotic devices.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zheng Ma, Laura Fuentes-Rodriguez, Zhengwei Tan, Eva Pellicer, Llibertat Abad, Javier Herrero-Martin, Enric Menendez, Nieves Casan-Pastor, Jordi Sort
Summary: Magneto-ionics is a unique approach to control magnetism with electric field. This study demonstrates wireless control of magnetism through induced polarization in conducting materials, providing a new pathway for voltage-driven magnetism control. The results have potential applications in various fields such as bioelectronics, catalysis, neuromorphic computing, and wireless communications.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Joaquin Llacer-Wintle, Jan Renz, Lukas Hertle, Andrea Veciana, Denis von Arx, Jiang Wu, Pere Bruna, Marija Vukomanovic, Josep Puigmarti-Luis, Bradley J. Nelson, Xiang-Zhong Chen, Salvador Pane
Summary: Magnetoelectricity allows solid-state materials to generate electricity under magnetic fields. A new magnetopyroelectric (MPE) effect is demonstrated in nanostructured composites of magnetic and pyroelectric materials. The composites consist of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles dispersed in a ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-TrFE)) matrix. This new approach provides an opportunity to develop magnetoelectric materials for various applications.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Aleksandra Bartkowska, Oriol Careta, Adam Benedict Turner, Andreu Blanquer, Elena Ibanez, Margarita Trobos, Carme Nogues, Eva Pellicer, Jordi Sort
Summary: Porous FeMn(-xAg) alloys were fabricated through powder metallurgy methods. The effects of porosity and Ag addition on the microstructure, biodegradability, magnetic and mechanical properties of the alloys were investigated. Cytocompatibility, inflammatory cytokine response, and antibacterial effect studies were also conducted. The fabricated alloys exhibited a macro- and nanoporous structure with uniformly distributed silver particles. The biodegradability tests showed higher release of Mn compared to Fe, without significant differences between the alloys. The degradation products mainly consisted of Fe, Mn, O, and compounds enriched in Ca, P, and Cl. The as-sintered alloys showed low saturation magnetization values, which did not significantly increase with immersion time. The biocompatibility results indicated that all tested alloys were non-cytotoxic, but the addition of Ag might interfere with cell proliferation. However, the ions released by the FeMn(-xAg) alloys did not induce an inflammatory response in macrophages. The obtained results on microbiological interactions revealed a significant reduction in the total biofilm biomass of both live and dead bacteria after 24 hours in Ag containing FeMn-5Ag surfaces, although no significant bactericidal effect was observed at 4 hours between FeMn control and FeMn-5Ag.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2023)
