Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Pooria Tajalli, Jennifer M. Hernandez Rivera, Mina Omidiyan, Hung-Vu Tran, T. Randall Lee
Summary: Two different positional isomers of carbonate-terminated alkanethiol molecules were synthesized and used to create self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold as mimics of commercially available polycarbonate surfaces. The characterization of the adsorbate molecules and SAMs was done using various spectroscopic techniques. The wettabilities of both SAMs were found to be similar to that of poly(ethylene carbonate) samples, indicating that the carbonate-terminated SAMs can be used to study the interfacial properties of polycarbonates without interference from surface reconstruction.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Claire N. Brodie, Aniekan E. Owen, Julian S. Kolb, Michael Buhl, Amit Kumar
Summary: Polyethyleneimines have various applications in products like detergents, adhesives, cosmetics, and processes such as tissue culture, gene therapy, and CO2 capture. The current production method for branched polyethyleneimines uses a highly toxic, volatile, and mutagenic feedstock called aziridine, which raises significant health and environmental concerns. This study presents a novel approach to synthesize branched polyethyleneimine derivatives using safer, environmentally friendly, commercially available, and potentially renewable feedstocks such as ethylene glycol and ethylenediamine. The reaction is catalyzed by an abundant metal, manganese, and produces water as the only by-product.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Miriam Chavez, Guadalupe Sanchez-Obrero, Rafael Madueno, Jose Manuel Sevilla, Manuel Blazquez, Teresa Pineda
Summary: This study investigates the ionic conductive properties of EG7-SAM using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the regions where ionic ingress and ionic permeability occur are different and depend on solution pH, electrolyte, and temperature. Capacitance spectroscopy analysis provides insights into the characterization of the films, offering a new perspective for selecting a specific layer for certain applications.
JOURNAL OF ELECTROANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Young Ji Son, Hungu Kang, Sicheon Seong, Seulki Han, Nam-Suk Lee, Jaegeun Noh
Summary: By studying the effects of deposition temperature on the formation and structural order of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111), we found that higher deposition temperature improves the structural order of SAMs and increases van der Waals interactions, resulting in more negative potential shifts of reductive desorption peaks.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Sijin Wang, Mingchun Li, Long Ren, Yusheng Wu, Laishi Li
Summary: Hierarchically self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) WO3 samples with different mass ratios of urea to sodium tungstate were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method, and their sensing characteristics for ethylene glycol were studied. The sample WO30.1 exhibited the highest response to 100 ppm ethylene glycol at 200 degrees C. Sample WO3-0.1 also showed excellent selectivity, repeatability, stability, and moisture resistance.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Wei-Chi Lai, Chun-Wai Chang, Chi-Yuan Hsueh
Summary: A novel method utilizing DBS gel-formed nanofibrillar structures to stabilize the shape of PEG for thermal energy storage has been proposed. The fabricated PCMs exhibit excellent thermal properties and can maintain their shape up to at least 96 degrees Celsius, showing promising potential for developing novel phase change materials.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
John Walker, Andrew B. Schofield, Vasileios Koutsos
Summary: We studied the nanostructures and ultrathin films resulting from the deposition and adsorption of polystyrene nanocolloidal particles and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate surfactants on mica surfaces. The samples were imaged with atomic force microscopy, revealing rich morphological features. The surfactant oligomers formed uniform ultrathin films and extended islands through self-assembly, while the polystyrene nanocolloids were embedded within the surfactant structures. Droplet evaporation resulted in imprints within the surfactant film, and dip coating induced colloidal crystalline structuring in extended nanocolloid clusters.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Deb Kumar Bhowmick, Adrian Joe Urban, Manfred Bartsch, Bjoern Braunschweig, Helmut Zacharias
Summary: Efficient control of interface chemistry enables better tunability of electronic properties, and a novel near-UV-initiated direct modification method has been demonstrated to form stable organic monolayers on silicon surfaces with high hydrolytic stability.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qingchun Xu, Puning Ren, Yang Peng, Nengchao Luo, Zhuyan Gao, Caixia Meng, Jian Zhang, Feng Wang
Summary: In this study, a catalytic Ni complex was designed to work synergistically with TiO2, enabling the reductive coupling of IEO powered by photo-energy. This photocatalytic process provides 1,4-butanediol with high selectivity.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yangbiao Liu, Sebastian Notz, Heinrich Lang, Michael Zharnikov
Summary: This study investigated the molecular organization and charge transport properties of custom-designed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au(111) with pyrene-substituted alkanethiolates. The SAMs exhibited homogeneous anchoring, dense molecular packing, and exceptional orientational order. The analysis of charge transport data revealed that the pyrene groups had higher conductance compared to the alkyl chain of the same length, and the S heteroatoms had a negative effect on the conductance of the alkyl linker.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Review
Energy & Fuels
Hao Zhang, Xia Zhang, Wenzhi Li, Wenjian Wu, Bingyue Tang, Chen Zhu
Summary: Efficient extraction of lignin from cornstalks was achieved using a PTSA/EG pretreatment. The synergistic effect between PTSA and EG increased the delignification ratio to 85.37%. The fractionated lignin obtained had high purity (>90%) and low molecular weight (1777 to 2271 Da). Depolymerization of the fractionated lignin showed a good performance with a monomers yield of 17.46% when the pretreatment temperature was 368.15 K. This pretreatment method enables the disruption of the degradation barrier of lignocellulose and the fractionation of lignin with specific structures for commercial applications in biomass refining.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
Qingchun Yang, Qing Yang, Simin Xu, Dawei Zhang, Chengling Liu, Huairong Zhou
Summary: Three novel shale gas assisted coal to ethylene glycol (SCtEG) processes with different methane reforming technologies are proposed and compared, showing significant improvements in carbon utilization efficiency, exergy efficiency, and reduction in CO2 emissions, total capital investment, and production cost.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Leton C. Saha, Gota Kikugawa
Summary: This study used molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the interfacial heat condition between a PEG self-assembled monolayer and water. The results showed that the thermal boundary conductance of the PEG SAM is higher than that of the alkane-based SAM traditionally used. Structural properties of the PEG SAM were found to greatly influence the TBC of the interface, rather than vibrational properties matching between SAM terminal and water.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yunsoo Choi, Hung-Vu Tran, T. Randall Lee
Summary: The resistance of surfaces to biomaterial adsorption/adhesion is crucial for the progress of marine and biomedical industries. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) provide a powerful platform to modify surfaces with different properties and understand the interaction between biomolecules and surfaces.
Article
Polymer Science
Yi Yao, Jintao Yang, Wen Li, Afang Zhang
Summary: In this study, the interactions between polymers and proteins in confined microenvironments constructed by oligoethylene glycol (OEG)-based dendronized polymers were investigated. The aggregation state, charge state, and combination form of the dendronized polymers were identified as the main factors decoding the polymer-protein interactions. The thermoresponsiveness of the dendronized polymers allows for convenient regulation of microenvironment crowding and hydrophobicity, which in turn regulates protein activities.
Article
Physics, Applied
Ersan Y. Muslih, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Mohammad Ismail Hossain, LiangLe Wang, Hend I. Alkhammash, Sami S. Alharthi, Masahiro Nakano, Makoto Karakawa, Mohammod Aminuzzaman, Lai-Hock Tey, Kamaruzzaman Sopian, Jean-Michel Nunzi, Tetsuya Taima
Summary: In this study, a nickel oxide (NiO(x)) hole transport layer was fabricated by a simple process without stabilizer or chelating agent. Ethanol and a small amount of nitric acid were used as the solvents. Perovskite solar cells with an optimum thickness of 70 nm showed a high power conversion efficiency and good moisture stability.
APPLIED PHYSICS EXPRESS
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Zhancheng Song, Yuuka Sumai, Huynh Thi Cam Tu, Md Shahiduzzaman, Tetsuya Taima, Keisuke Ohdaira
Summary: The use of n-type amorphous silicon as the electron transport layer in perovskite solar cells improves the power conversion efficiency. However, it also leads to a decrease in external quantum efficiency due to parasitic absorption. The use of indium tin oxide with a flat surface can enhance the efficiency of n-a-Si solar cells.
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Naoya Tanaka, Masahiro Nakano, Tomoki Kobayashi, Akira Takahara, Takahiro Fujinuki, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Makoto Karakawa, Tetsuya Taima, Koichi Iiyama
Summary: The research shows that by avoiding aggregation of Y6 at lower temperatures, the durability of inverted organic solar cells based on Y6 can be improved, making them useful as photodurable near-infrared detectors under continuous laser irradiation.
MACROMOLECULAR RAPID COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kewei Song, Yue Cui, Liang Liu, Boyang Chen, Kayo Hirose, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Shinjiro Umezu
Summary: This study prepared and evaluated recyclable titanium dioxide-based photocatalytic self-cleaning films with a bilayer fiber structure. The experimental results showed that increasing the TiO2 content in the ABS/TiO2 fibers enhanced the hydrophobicity, photocatalytic properties, and self-cleaning efficiency of the film. The introduction of a substrate layer allowed the film to be applied to various surfaces and recycled after use.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Samiya Mahjabin, Mohammad Ismail Hossain, Md Mahfuzul Haque, M. S. Bashar, M. S. Jamal, Md Shahiduzzaman, Ghulam Muhammad, Kamaruzzaman Sopian, Md Akhtaruzzaman
Summary: This study prepares tungsten oxide (WOx) as the electron transport layer (ETL) for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) using an industrially viable RF magnetron sputtering technique. The high-quality WOx thin-film is ensured through necessary morphological and optoelectronic investigations. The optimized planar PSC achieves improved J(SC) and energy conversion efficiency, and the proposed PSC design embedded with Ag nanoparticles further enhances J(SC).
APPLIED PHYSICS A-MATERIALS SCIENCE & PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Optics
M. Mottakin, D. K. Sarkar, Vidhya Selvanathan, Mohammad Junaebur Rashid, K. Sobayel, A. K. Mahmud Hasan, Md. Ariful Islam, Ghulam Muhammad, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Md. Akhtaruzzaman
Summary: Compositional engineering aims to build low-cost, efficient, and stable solar cells. This study simulated the Pb-free environmentally friendly Cs2TiBr6 perovskite layer and explored the use of spinel NiCo2O4 as a hole transport material. The proposed device structure achieved a power conversion efficiency of 19.3% under optimal operational conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Masahiro Nakano, Tomoki Kobayashi, Masaki Kaneda, Sae Nakagawa, Md Shahiduzzaman, Makoto Karakawa, Tetsuya Taima
Summary: A novel low-temperature sol-gel method to prepare zinc oxide (ZnO) films with reduced photocatalytic activity is reported. Under gentle vacuum conditions, ZnO films exhibit lower photocatalytic activity, leading to higher photodurability of organic optoelectronic devices. The low photocatalytic activity of ZnO films prepared under gentle vacuum could be effective for the development of photodurable non-fullerene organic solar cells with high photovoltaic performance.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ayhan Yurtsever, Linhao Sun, Kaito Hirata, Takeshi Fukuma, Siddharth Rath, Hadi Zareie, Shinji Watanabe, Mehmet Sarikaya
Summary: Understanding the mechanisms of self-organization of short peptides is important for the formation of crystalline biomolecular systems and their practical applications. This study focused on the self-organization process of a graphite-binding dodecapeptide on a graphite surface. The observations revealed the formation of homogeneous and heterogeneous layers, with transient crystalline phases, and provided insights into the surface behavior of short peptides on solids.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Md. Ariful Islam, Md. Akhtaruzzaman, M. Mottakin, Vidhya Selvanathan, Md. Shahiduzzaman, M. N. I. Khan, A. F. M. Masum Rabbani, M. J. Rashid, Mohd Adib Ibrahim, K. Sopian, K. Sobayel
Summary: Metal halide perovskites are highly promising for photovoltaic applications in the solar industry due to their high efficiency, processability, chemical characteristics, and cost-effectiveness. However, their stability is a major concern, and potential-induced performance degradation (PID) has emerged as a prevalent risk. This study investigates the influence of PID on different perovskite device structures and evaluates their performance. The results show that CsPbI3-based solar cells exhibit the highest defect tolerance limit and the FTO/TiO2/CsPbI3/NiO/Au structure demonstrates better stability under PID.
JOURNAL OF ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shinnosuke Yamamoto, Daiki Taniguchi, Takahiro Ozawa, Kaito Hirata, Takahiro Ozawa, Takeshi Fukuma
Summary: By directly observing nanoscale structures and changes in potential, we clarify the mechanism of grain boundary corrosion in Al alloy. The experiment confirms the anodic dissolution of MgZn2 precipitates and the erosion of grain boundaries driven by hydrogen embrittlement. This understanding can improve the susceptibility of Al alloys to stress corrosion cracking originating from grain boundary corrosion.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Md. Saddam Hossain, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Mohammad Abdur Rahim, Methun Paul, Rajib Sarkar, Farjana Showline Chaity, Md. Najem Uddin, G. M. Masud Rana, Mst. Sarmina Yeasmin, Amena Kibria, Saiful Islam
Summary: Studies are being carried out to achieve high-quality garlic through various approaches. In Bangladesh, new garlic varieties have been developed through artificial selection to enhance their quality. This study evaluated the bioactive properties and organosulfur compounds content of these varieties and compared them with other accessible varieties. The findings showed that the new variety, BARI-3, had the highest antioxidant activity and contained a potent blood pressure-lowering agent at an unprecedented level. However, the local variety exhibited greater inhibitory properties against tested pathogens. This study highlights the potential of these garlic varieties for further utilization and development.
Article
Physics, Applied
D. K. Sarkar, M. Mottakin, A. K. Mahmud Hasan, Vidhya Selvanathan, Md. Ariful Islam, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Hamad F. Alharbi, Md. Akhtaruzzaman
Summary: This study proposes an oxide solar cell design with an n-p-p structure, which utilizes CuFeO2 as the absorber layer, along with ZnO and NiO for electron and hole transport respectively. The study demonstrates the optimized parameters and performance of the absorber layer, as well as the prospect of using CuFeO2 as the active layer in oxide solar cell technology.
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaito Hirata, Takahiro Okamoto, Takuya Kitagawa, Masahiko Tomitori, Takahiro Ozawa, Takeshi Fukuma
Summary: Corrosion of Al alloy often starts from the nanoscale corrosion around the surface-exposed Al-Fe intermetallic particles (IMPs) and leads to a serious damage limiting its application range in the automobile industry. To solve this issue, understanding of the nanoscale corrosion mechanism around the IMP is essential, yet it is impeded by the difficulties in directly visualizing nanoscale distribution of reaction activity. The OL-EPM results reveal that the corrosion behavior around the IMPs in H2SO4 solution depends on the size of the particles, with small IMPs showing better corrosion resistance than large IMPs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Masahiro Nakano, Hiroki Matsui, Sae Nakagawa, Jiaxun You, Md. Shahiduzzaman, Makoto Karakawa, Tetsuya Taima
Summary: We investigated the effect of self-assembled monolayer (SAM) modification on the resistive switching behavior of ZnO by fabricating electrode-sandwiched devices. SAM-modified ZnO films showed shifted resistive switching voltages compared to bare ZnO due to the surface dipole induced by the SAMs. In particular, methylaminopropyl-substituted SAM-modified ZnO exhibited a lower switching voltage (1.6 V) than bare ZnO (2.9 V). Moreover, SAM modification also improved the on/off ratio (from 10(2) to 10(4)).
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuki Ide, Yumehiro Manabe, Yuya Inaba, Yusuke Kinoshita, Jenny Pirillo, Yuh Hijikata, Tomoki Yoneda, Kilingaru Shivakumar, Saki Tanaka, Hitoshi Asakawa, Yasuhide Inokuma
Summary: In this study, the critical chain length of structurally flexible polyketones consisting of 3,3-dimethylpentane-2,4-dione was determined. It was found that the critical chain length was unexpectedly shorter than expected, and the shorter oligomers exhibited unique conformations and packing structures compared to longer oligomers. This finding is significant for understanding the relationship between polymer properties and chain length.
