Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joselyn Del Pilar Albadalejo, Suheily Alonso-Sevilla, Nicohl Cintron, Xinran Feng, Angel D. Garcia, Dinorah D. Martinez-Torres, Astrid M. Rodriguez, Natalia Roman-Montalvo, Jose Torres, Yao Yang, Armando Pena-Duarte, Rahul Singhal, Louise M. Debefve, Christopher J. Pollock, Carlos R. Cabrera, Hector D. Abruna, Mitk'El Benedikt Santiago-Berrios
Summary: Metal oxide semiconductors are versatile in various applications, and this study focuses on cobalt-doped zinc oxide materials for electrocatalytic production of hydrogen peroxide.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joselyn Del Pilar Albadalejo, Suheily Alonso-Sevilla, Nicohl Cintron, Xinran Feng, Angel D. Garcia, Dinorah D. Martinez-Torres, Astrid M. Rodriguez, Natalia Roman-Montalvo, Jose Torres, Yao Yang, Armando Pena-Duarte, Rahul Singhal, Louise M. Debefve, Christopher J. Pollock, Carlos R. Cabrera, Hector D. Abruna, Mitk'el Benedikt Santiago-Berrios
Summary: Metal oxide semiconductors have a wide range of applications, including biosensing and green energy-harvesting technologies. Among them, oxide-based diluted magnetic semiconductors have been proposed for fuel cell applications, but there is still controversy regarding their catalytic mechanism.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Filipe C. Correia, Joana M. Ribeiro, Alexei Kuzmin, Inga Pudza, Aleksandr Kalinko, Edmund Welter, Adelio Mendes, Joana Rodrigues, Nabiha Ben Sedrine, Teresa Monteiro, Maria Rosario Correia, Carlos J. Tavares
Summary: Doped ZnO thin films with Ga3+ and Bi3+ ions exhibit distinct effects on the microstructure, with Ga3+ introducing static disorder and Bi3+ likely located at grain boundaries. Ga-doping results in compositional disorder, while Bi is not incorporated in the ZnO wurtzite cell but segregated to grain boundaries.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Remi F. Andre, Gwenaelle Rousse, Capucine Sassoye, Maxim Avdeev, Benedikt Lassalle-Kaiser, Benoit Baptiste, Sophie Carenco
Summary: This article investigates the key compound of cerium oxide as a catalyst and identifies an intermediate phase of Ce-(IV) that forms in the presence of air. The crystal structure of this phase is proposed, and it is confirmed to be an observable intermediate in the synthesis of cerium dioxide.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Javed Ahmad, Rizwan Wahab, Mohd Javed Akhtar, Maqusood Ahamed
Summary: Hexagonal zinc oxide nanorods were synthesized via a solution process using specific reagents and conditions, showing potential toxicity in human liver cancer cells through reactive oxygen species generation. Further analysis revealed the induction of apoptosis in these cells through gene expression markers.
JOURNAL OF KING SAUD UNIVERSITY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erik Cerrato, Alberto Privitera, Mario Chiesa, Enrico Salvadori, Maria Cristina Paganini
Summary: Due to its thermal stability, conductivity, high exciton binding energy and high electron mobility, zinc oxide is one of the most studied semiconductors in the field of photocatalysis. Doping the lattice with foreign atoms can introduce defects within the bandgap, making zinc oxide optically active in the visible range and reducing the energy required for photo-driven charge separation. This study demonstrates a green synthetic procedure for achieving high-level doping and highlights the importance of thermal treatment in selecting the nature of the defect and the material's capability for specific chemistry. The low-temperature treatments were found to produce material with higher efficiency in the water photosplitting reaction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Thermodynamics
Samuel Stuhlman, Kamal Kumar
Summary: The oxidation characteristics of graphite with copper oxide nanoparticles as the oxidizer were studied using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The experimental results showed that a critical CO concentration buildup is required before the combustion process accelerates, and the production of carbon dioxide begins and peaks later than carbon monoxide. Modulated TGA experiments were conducted to obtain the activation energy during the combustion process, providing new insights into the oxidation kinetics of graphitic carbon with solid copper oxide as an oxidizer.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Igor A. Pronin, Igor A. Averin, Andrey A. Karmanov, Nadezhda D. Yakushova, Alexey S. Komolov, Eleonora F. Lazneva, Maxim M. Sychev, Vyacheslav A. Moshnikov, Ghenadii Korotcenkov
Summary: The surface properties of zinc oxide powders prepared using mechanical activation, electron beam irradiation, and vacuum annealing were studied. These treatments were found to have an impact on the size of nanocrystals, microdeformations, formation of vacancies, and diffusion of zinc ions. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze the structure of the obtained materials.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Krishan Kumar, Maria Waechtler
Summary: The use of colloidal nanocrystals in artificial photosynthetic systems has gained attention due to their strong light absorption and tunable properties. However, complete photocatalytic conversion of water to its components still remains a challenge. This review discusses recent progress in understanding charge carrier dynamics in semiconductor nanocrystals and the influence of parameters such as dimension and composition. Transient absorption spectroscopy and the challenges associated with accumulating multiple charge carriers for targeted chemical reactions are also addressed.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Liaqat Ali, Wiqar H. Shah, Akhtar Ali, Sayed M. Eldin, Abdullah A. Al-Jaafary, A. Sedky, Javed Mazher, Naveed Imran, Muhammad Sohail
Summary: Pellets of Pure and Fe-doped dilute magnetic semiconducting (DMS) samples were studied for their bulk magneto-resistance (BMR) at room temperature and low temperatures. Various spectroscopic techniques were used to determine the chemical and electronic structures of the samples. The study revealed different modes of electrical transport and discussed the origin of the observed BMR crossovers in the samples.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Fiaz Ahmad, Asghari Maqsood
Summary: In this study, Cd-doped zinc oxide nanostructures were fabricated using a co-precipitation technique and their structural and morphological properties were analyzed. The results from impedance spectroscopy, dielectric measurements, and electrical conductivity analysis indicated that the conductivity increased with Cd concentration and the activation energies decreased.
PHYSICA E-LOW-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS & NANOSTRUCTURES
(2022)
Article
Optics
Eugene Chubenko, Mohsin Wahioh Alhamd, Vitaly Bondarenko
Summary: This study discusses the optical properties of ZnO films doped with Ni and Co transition metals that were hydrothermally deposited on a silicon substrate. The films have been found to have a compact crystalline structure and can be considered as nanostructured polycrystalline ZnO films doped with Ni and Co. Under optical and electronic excitation, the films exhibit luminescence in the near-band-edge ultraviolet and visible range.
JOURNAL OF LUMINESCENCE
(2022)
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Z. V. Shomakhov, S. S. Nalimova, A. A. Bobkov, V. A. Moshnikov
Summary: This paper describes a method for designing the defect structure of the surface of zinc-oxide nanorods through hydrothermal synthesis, using sacrificial doping with iodine. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is used to analyze the chemical composition of the obtained layers. It is found that iodine volatilizes during synthesis, resulting in changes in surface composition and an increase in the oxygen content of surface hydroxyl groups. The study demonstrates the efficiency of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques for analyzing the defect structure of functional layers based on zinc-oxide nanorods.
Article
Physics, Condensed Matter
Prateek Gupta, Bhubesh C. Joshi
Summary: Pristine and Cu-doped ZnO thin films with different Cu concentrations were deposited using pulsed laser deposition method, and their structural, optical, and electronic properties were studied. The results showed that Cu doping reduced the optical band gap energy of ZnO films and caused some structural defects.
PHYSICA B-CONDENSED MATTER
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
M. Arellano-Cortaza, E. Ramirez-Morales, S. J. Castillo, L. Lartundo-Rojas, I. Zamudio-Torres, E. M. Lopez Alejandro, L. Rojas-Blanco
Summary: ZnSe/ZnO heterostructures were synthesized using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal method with zinc acetate and zinc nitrate as the source of Zn2+ ions. The incorporation of ZnSe into the ZnO matrix resulted in changes in the size of ZnO crystallites and lattice parameters. Optical and texture analyses showed that ZnSe particles caused a decrease in gap energy and a significant increase in the specific surface area of ZnSe/ZnO heterostructures. ZnSe/ZnO heterostructures synthesized with zinc acetate exhibited better photocatalytic performance in visible light compared to pure ZnO.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paul J. Griffin, Bronte J. Charette, John H. Burke, Josh Vura-Weis, Richard D. Schaller, David J. Gosztola, Lisa Olshansky
Summary: This study presents a bioinspired approach for photodriven charge separation in solar energy conversion. By utilizing the differential coordination properties of Cu-I and Cu-II, a ligand-driven electron transfer from Cu-I to the ligand is achieved. The authors synthesized and characterized CuCl(dpaa((R))) ligands with twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) excited states. Various spectroscopic and electrochemical methods were used to establish the properties of Cu-I and Cu-II complexes, and the photophysical dynamics of Cu-I complexes were explored. The lifetime of the charge separation state is enhanced by a factor of 1000 compared to control complexes without TICT-active ligands.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Kai Li, Joakim Laksman, Tommaso Mazza, Gilles Doumy, Dimitris Koulentianos, Alessandra Picchiotti, Svitozar Serkez, Nina Rohringer, Markus Ilchen, Michael Meyer, Linda Young
Summary: The study presents a methodology that combines high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy with a ghost-imaging algorithm to improve the quality of spectral characterization of X-ray free-electron laser pulses. This noninvasive diagnostic method is of great significance for ultrafast X-ray spectroscopy.
COMMUNICATIONS PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cristian Cavedon, Sebastian Gisbertz, Susanne Reischauer, Sarah Vogl, Eric Sperlich, John H. Burke, Rachel F. Wallick, Stefanie Schrottke, Wei-Hsin Hsu, Lucia Anghileri, Yannik Pfeifer, Noah Richter, Christian Teutloff, Henrike Mueller-Werkmeister, Dario Cambie, Peter H. Seeberger, Josh Vura-Weis, Renske M. van der Veen, Arne Thomas, Bartholomaus Pieber
Summary: We demonstrate visible-light-mediated carbon-heteroatom cross-coupling reactions using a photoactive Ni(II) precatalyst. The activation of this precatalyst involves an initial intraligand charge transfer event triggered by visible light irradiation. Additionally, a porous, recyclable organic polymer for heterogeneous nickel catalysis of cross-coupling reactions is obtained through ligand polymerization.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Cali Antolini, Charles D. Spellman Jr, Christopher J. Otolski, Gilles Doumy, Anne Marie March, Donald A. Walko, Cunming Liu, Xiaoyi Zhang, Benjamin T. Young, Joseph E. Goodwill, Dugan Hayes
Summary: This study investigates the formation and fate of Fe(V) and Fe(IV) species in aqueous potassium ferrate(VI) through a combination of optical and X-ray transient absorption spectroscopies. The results improve the mechanistic understanding and accelerate the development of novel advanced oxidation processes for water treatment applications.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Adam E. A. Fouda, Dimitris Koulentianos, Linda Young, Gilles Doumy, Phay J. Ho
Summary: In this study, we investigate the excitation mechanism and properties of double core-hole states by intense few-to-sub-femtosecond soft X-ray pulses using theoretical simulations and calculations. We show that the excitation energy of the double core-hole states is reduced compared to the ground state. We also analyze the decay spectra and changes in electron emission lineshape, and examine the possibility of distinguishing the double core-excited states with X-ray pump-probe techniques.
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Eli Diego Kinigstein, Christopher Otolski, Guy Jennings, Gilles Doumy, Donald A. Walko, Xiaobing Zuo, Jinghua Guo, Anne Marie March, Xiaoyi Zhang
Summary: Laser pump X-ray Transient Absorption (XTA) spectroscopy has been enhanced with two new XTA data acquisition techniques: HRR-XMP and AXMP. HRR-XMP utilizes high repetition rate laser to increase data collection efficiency at each time delay. AXMP uses a frequency mismatch between laser and x-ray pulses to acquire XTA data at flexible pump-probe time delays. Both techniques have been successfully demonstrated in measuring laser-induced spectral dynamics of aqueous solutions of Fe(CN)(6)(4-) and [Fe-II(bpy)(3)](2+).
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andre Al-Haddad, Solene Oberli, Jesus Gonzalez-Vazquez, Maximilian Bucher, Gilles Doumy, Phay Ho, Jacek Krzywinski, Thomas J. Lane, Alberto Lutman, Agostino Marinelli, Timothy J. Maxwell, Stefan Moeller, Stephen T. Pratt, Dipanwita Ray, Ron Shepard, Stephen H. Southworth, Alvaro Vazquez-Mayagoitia, Peter Walter, Linda Young, Antonio Picon, Christoph Bostedt
Summary: This study demonstrates the ability to track ultrafast electron rearrangement and chemical bond breaking in real time at specific sites using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By observing the chemical shifts of the carbon core-electron binding energy, the authors can investigate charge redistribution and dissociation processes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Phay J. Ho, Dipanwita Ray, C. Stefan Lehmann, Adam E. A. Fouda, Robert W. Dunford, Elliot P. Kanter, Gilles Doumy, Linda Young, Donald A. Walko, Xuechen Zheng, Lan Cheng, Stephen H. Southworth
Summary: Characterization of inner-shell decay processes in molecules with heavy elements is essential for understanding x-ray damage and medical applications. X-ray/ion coincidence spectroscopy was used to measure charge states and energies of atomic ions following 1s ionization. A computational model combining MC/MD simulations and a classical over-the-barrier model was developed to study inner-shell cascades and redistribution of electrons.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Francis M. M. Alcorn, Prashant K. K. Jain, Renske M. M. van der Veen
Summary: The ability of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to image structures ranging from millimetres to angstroms has made it an indispensable tool for modern chemists. Recent developments in TEM have allowed for real-time probing of structural evolution on the nanoscale. Time-resolved in situ TEM techniques are discussed in this review, along with their applications for studying chemical and physical processes.
NATURE REVIEWS CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francis M. Alcorn, Maya Chattoraj, Renske M. van der Veen, Prashant K. Jain
Summary: Using a transmission electron microscope with laser excitation, we observed Ostwald ripening of Au-Cu alloy nanoparticles under plasmonic excitation. This structural transformation, distinct from electron-beam-induced coalescence, is not thermally induced but instead triggered by plasmonically excited carriers.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Francis M. Alcorn, Renske M. van der Veen, Prashant K. Jain
Summary: Researchers used a high-resolution transmission electron microscope to observe the structural evolution of Cu-based nanoparticles under electron beam irradiation and plasmonic excitation. They found that these particles undergo hollowing via the nanoscale Kirkendall effect. Hollowing is triggered by electron beam irradiation, and plasmonic excitation enhances the kinetics of the transformation, likely through the effect of photothermal heating.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cali Antolini, Danielle J. Jacoby, Sophia M. Tiano, Christopher J. Otolski, Gilles Doumy, Anne Marie March, Donald A. Walko, Joseph E. Goodwill, Dugan Hayes
Summary: This study investigates the nonradiative deactivation of the aqueous ferrate-(VI) ion using the solvent kinetic isotope effect (SKIE). The results show an exceptionally large SKIE value of 9.7 for the nanosecond-scale relaxation of the lowest energy triplet ligand field state to the ground state. Proton inventory studies demonstrate that a single solvent O-H bond is coupled to the ion during deactivation.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2023)