Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paolo Branchini, Valentina Spampinato, Alexis Franquet, Gianlorenzo Bussetti, Luca Tortora, Stefania De Rosa
Summary: Intercalation mechanisms, diffusion, and segregation phenomena have significant implications in various fields of applied science involving graphitic materials. This study investigates the effects of different ion sources and energy conditions on the structure and chemistry of graphite through depth profiling experiments, aiming to determine the optimal conditions for preserving the crystal features.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Mechanical
Nasrya F. Kossoko, Frederic Dubreuil, Benoit Thiebaut, Michel Belin, Clotilde Minfray
Summary: This paper investigates the tribological conditions required to achieve low friction with a diblock PIB-PEG polymer friction modifier in base oil under severe lubrication regimes. The study found a very low friction coefficient at high temperatures, and characterized the formation of a polymer film on rubbing surfaces and its bonding to the steel substrate through polar functions.
TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sarah E. Bamford, Robert T. Jones, Wil Gardner, Benjamin W. Muir, David A. Winkler, Paul J. Pigram
Summary: This work presents a 3D chemical characterization of a low emissivity double silver coating on glass using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and machine learning. The composition of different layers is visualized using an unsupervised machine learning technique. Repeating layers are identified based on their mass spectra and classified as chemically indistinguishable. This technique provides valuable insight into manufacturing processes and production challenges, and has strong potential in forensic applications.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. Bousseksou, G. Gutierrez, Y. Pipon, D. Gosset, N. Moncoffre
Summary: This study aims to investigate the Li diffusion in B4C. The results showed that the thermal diffusion into the grain boundaries in B4C is about four orders of magnitude higher than into the grains. These findings are of great importance for material selection and safety control in nuclear reactors.
JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yue Feng, Bon Min Koo, Antoine Seyeux, Jolanta Swiatowska, Catherine Henry de Villeneuve, Michel Rosso, Francois Ozanam
Summary: Pure and methylated amorphous silicon thin films were analyzed using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry to study the lithiation mechanism and biphasic process. Lithiation induced swelling and roughening of the active layer. No measurable Li diffusion was observed after lithiation. Distinct Li profiles were observed for the two materials, with the methylated film showing a slower Li concentration decrease attributed to the presence of nanovoids.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Junichiro Sameshima, Shigenori Numao
Summary: This study experimentally investigated the behavior and mechanism of background signals during depth profiling of atmospheric elements using dual-beam TOF-SIMS on silicon wafers. It was found that the background signals of atmospheric elements are inversely proportional to the sputtering rate, mainly attributed to the accumulation of components through adsorption and ion bombardment in the pre-equilibrium state. Additionally, H2O dominates the background formation process of hydrogen and oxygen, while the background signal levels of carbon with respect to the sputtering rate show a different trend than other elements.
SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Dae-Kwang Lim, No Woo Kwak, Ji-Su Kim, Hyunseung Kim, Byung-Kook Kim, Yeong-Cheol Kim, WooChul Jung
Summary: This study investigates the migration mechanism of nickel in ceria, revealing that nickel impurity mainly diffuses via the interstitial mechanism in ceria. The experimental and theoretical analyses provide insight into the atomic-scale interpretation of nickel migration in ceria.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Amal Ben Hadj Mabrouk, Christophe Licitra, Antoine Chateauminois, Marc Veillerot
Summary: This study investigated the impact of PMMA thin film molecular weight on ToF-SIMS sputtering mechanisms and kinetics, revealing a decrease in sputtering yield volume with increasing molecular weight. Physical parameters such as glass transition temperature and polymer chain entanglement were discussed in relation to this behavior, with sputtering yield variation found to logarithmically correlate with primary beam energy. Preliminary experiments with low molecular weight PMMA also showed a nanoconfinement effect similar to argon cluster sputtering but of lesser magnitude.
SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Walerian Arabczyk, Jacek Rogowski, Rafal Pelka, Zofia Lendzion-Bielun
Summary: In this study, a simplified model of the Fe(111) surface's promoter-oxide system was investigated to confirm existing models concerning the structure and chemical composition of iron nanocrystallites in ammonia-synthesis catalysts. It was found that metal oxides can diffuse efficiently to the iron surface, and potassium oxide can wet the iron surface at high temperatures.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shih-Hsuan Chou, Yung-Kun Chuang, Chi-Ming Lee, Yu-Shan Chang, Ya-Jhu Jhang, Ching-Wen Yeh, Tai-Sing Wu, Chun-Yu Chuang, I-Lun Hsiao
Summary: This article presents a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to analyze submicron-sized plastics. The results show that this method can be used for quantification of polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene (PE) particles in the range of 0.195-1.04 μm at a minimum concentration of 2.49 x 109 particles/mL. It can also estimate the number ratios of different particles in a mixture. Additionally, the method is applicable for analyzing more complex plastic particles released from food contact materials.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Michael Leitzenberger, Peter Kuegler, Stefan Krivec, Herbert Hutter
Summary: Artifact-free depth profiles of alkali ions in SiO2 were obtained using ToF-SIMS with Cs+ beam as sputter gun, demonstrating the effectiveness of the method. The approach allows for accurate depth profiling without the need for advanced equipment, making it more accessible to laboratories.
SURFACE AND INTERFACE ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Agnieszka Kaminska, Magdalena E. Marzec, Ewa L. Stepien
Summary: This study tested and optimized silicon surface functionalization procedures for capturing urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs), investigating the influence of silane type and protein concentration on binding efficiency, observing changes in the biosensor surface using surface characterization techniques, purifying uEVs by a low-vacuum filtration method and concentrating them by ultracentrifugation, and determining physical parameters of uEVs post-isolation. Results showed gradual growth of the molecular layer after modification stages, with no significant changes in characteristic peaks of amino acids and lipids in positive and negative polarization. The optimal concentration of lactadherin protein for the tested system was found to be 25 μg/mL.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hendrik Voigt, Aaron Rigoni, Evgeniy Boltynjuk, Mohammed Reda Chellali, Bonnie Tyler, Harald Roesner, Sergiy Divinski, Horst Hahn, Gerhard Wilde
Summary: Comprehensive analyses using advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy-based methods and atom probe tomography confirm the presence of distinct glass-glass interfaces in a columnar Cu-Zr nanoglass synthesized by magnetron sputtering. These analyses provide in-depth characterization of sputtered film nanoglasses and show that glass-glass interfaces have an amorphous phase with reduced mass density compared to neighboring amorphous regions. Diffusion kinetics analyses using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF SIMS) prove significantly enhanced diffusivity along the low density glass-glass interfaces, suggesting fast transport. The results indicate that sputter deposition is a feasible technique for reliable production of nanoglasses and applicable for this new class of glassy materials.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Bokai Zhang, Jian Li, Juanmei Hu, Lei Liu
Summary: The paper presents a microscopic theory for polymer diffusion in polymer-nanoparticle mixtures, which provides a parameter-free and tractable approach to study the dynamics in diverse polymer nanocomposites. The theory accurately captures the dependence of polymer diffusion on NP concentration and average interparticle distance, and reveals the emergence of entanglement-like motion at dense NPs and/or long chain systems.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yiren Li, Jian Liu, Yiheng Wang, Xianjin Tang, Jianming Xu, Xingmei Liu
Summary: Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are common elements in contaminated sites and their behavior in the soil can be influenced by competition for adsorption sites. This study used adsorption experiments, multi-surface models, and advanced spectroscopy technology to explain the adsorption mechanisms of Cd and Pb and determine the contribution of each component in the competitive system. The results showed that pH is a key factor influencing the adsorption contribution of soil components, with soil organic matter being the dominant adsorbent for both Cd and Pb. Clay minerals play a role at low pH, while Fe/Al oxides primarily adsorb metals at high pH. Additionally, the competitive effect of Pb on Cd was mainly observed on soil organic matter rather than clay minerals, emphasizing the importance of considering this competition in soils with high organic matter content.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Jinseok Park, Anne Staiger, Stefan Mecking, Karen Winey
Summary: This study reveals that by adjusting the structure of multiblock copolymers, the morphology of single-ion conducting polymers can be controlled, leading to improved ion transport efficiency.
Article
Polymer Science
Benjamin A. Paren, Manuel Haeussler, Patrick Rathenow, Stefan Mecking, Karen Winey
Summary: We have presented a set of sulfonated monodisperse telechelic polyethylene ionomers that demonstrate ion transport of metal cations in layered ionic assemblies. These polymers have well-defined structures and exhibit different crystal packing and ion transport properties at different temperatures.
Article
Polymer Science
Benjamin A. Paren, Nam Nguyen, Valerie Ballance, Daniel T. Hallinan, Justin G. Kennemur, Karen Winey
Summary: Single-ion conducting polymers (SICs) are promising candidates for the next generation of safer polymer electrolytes due to their stability and high transference number. This study demonstrates that the ion conductivity of SICs can be enhanced and achieves superionic transport by blending with low molar mass poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO).
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinseok Park, Anne Staiger, Stefan Mecking, Karen I. Winey
Summary: This study demonstrates that ionic functionality in a multiblock architecture can produce highly ordered nanostructures in thin films, including bicontinuous double gyroids. The researchers propose a versatile pathway to fabricating ordered nanostructures in thin films using ion-functionalized multiblock copolymers.
ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Jinseok Park, Anne Staiger, Stefan Mecking, Karen Winey
Summary: Enhanced Li+ transport is demonstrated through selectively solvated ionic layers of a single-ion conducting polymer. The solvation of ionic domains with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) accelerates structural relaxation and dissociation of ion pairs, leading to a significant enhancement of ion transport.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Dae Seok Kim, Young-Joo Lee, Yuchen Wang, Jinseok Park, Karen I. Winey, Shu Yang
Summary: This study fabricates fibrous soft actuators with controlled molecular orientations, enabling shape morphing from 1D to 2D and 3D in response to external stimuli. The direction of LC molecule alignment and phase separation during photopolymerization are crucial for efficient actuation.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Roshni John Chethalen, Eli J. Fastow, E. Bryan Coughlin, Karen I. Winey
Summary: Polyolefins, the main components of plastic waste, lose their properties and value during conventional mechanical recycling. However, this study demonstrates the potential of functionalizing polyolefins using thiol-ene click chemistry to improve their properties. The reaction conditions can be manipulated to achieve different levels of functionalization.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ye Chan Kim, Russell J. Composto, Karen I. Winey
Summary: Precise control of nanoparticles at interfaces can be achieved by tuning the pH of buffer solution to selectively adsorb nanoparticles according to size using a polymer brush. A facile polymer brush preparation method was developed using a symmetric PS-b-P2VP block copolymer deposited on a grafted polystyrene layer. The pH of the buffer solution was used to tailor the interactions between citrate-coated AuNPs and the P2VP block, resulting in size selectivity for nanoparticle adsorption.
Article
Polymer Science
Max S. Win, Karen I. Winey, Amalie L. Frischknecht
Summary: In this study, the morphology and transport properties of a new family of fluorine-free terpolymers designed as proton-exchange membranes were investigated using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. It was found that terpolymers with lower ion exchange capacities exhibited modestly lower water diffusion, suggesting potential advantages in terms of processability.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Entao Yang, James F. Pressly, Bharath Natarajan, Robert Colby, Karen I. Winey, Robert A. Riggleman
Summary: This study examines the dynamics in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) and quantitatively separates the role of polymer packing from other effects on the dynamics near the nanoparticle surfaces. The results show that the slow interfacial dynamics in PNCs is not solely due to polymer packing differences, but also the change of structure-dynamics relationships. The study also demonstrates how the decomposition of dynamics can accurately predict strain-time creep curves for PNCs from their static configuration, providing insights into the effects of polymer-nanoparticle interfaces on creep suppression in PNCs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Entao Yang, James F. Pressly, Bharath Natarajan, Robert Colby, Karen I. Winey, Robert A. Riggleman
Summary: This study investigates the dynamics in polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) through a combination of simulations and experiments. The researchers quantitatively separate the role of polymer packing from other effects on the dynamics and find that both polymer packing differences and changes in structure-dynamics relationships contribute to the slow interfacial dynamics. The study also demonstrates how this decomposition can be used to predict the creep behavior of PNCs accurately.
Article
Polymer Science
Jinseok Park, Charles P. Easterling, Christopher C. Armstrong, Dale L. Huber, Jared Bowman, Brent S. Sumerlin, Karen Winey, Mercedes K. Taylor
Summary: We investigated a new series of precise ion-containing polyamide sulfonates (PASxLi) with alternating polar and non-polar blocks. These polymers exhibited excellent thermal stability and ordered morphology stability at high temperatures.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jinseok Park, Karen I. Winey
Summary: The double gyroid structure in block copolymers has attracted significant interest due to its complexity and potential applications. This structure has been observed in various systems, including copolymers blended with homopolymers and triblock copolymers. Anionic polymerization has been commonly used to synthesize block copolymers with the double gyroid structure. However, recent studies have demonstrated the synthesis of block copolymers with double gyroid structures using alternative polymerization methods, allowing for a wider composition range. The development of these structures opens up new possibilities for solving technological challenges.
Article
Polymer Science
Anastasia S. Arrington, James R. Brown, Max S. Win, Karen Winey, Timothy E. Long
Summary: This study demonstrated the incorporation of carboxytelechelic polyethylene into segmented copolymers through Chain-transfer ring-opening metathesis polymerization (CT-ROMP), resulting in mechanically durable copolyesters with similar thermal properties to conventional HDPE.
