Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xi Jiang, Nitash P. Balsara
Summary: Electron microscopy has been essential in characterizing polymers, with recent developments allowing for atomic resolution imaging of polymer crystals and providing a comprehensive understanding of strategies towards high-resolution imaging of radiation-sensitive polymer materials at different length scales.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jun-Hao Wan, Chen Qian, Gang Wu, Xian-Wei Liu
Summary: Label-free imaging of nanoscale targets with intrinsic properties is crucial for unveiling the underlying mechanisms of chemistry, physics, and life science. Plasmonic imaging techniques provide real-time imaging and insights into nanoscale detection and nanocatalysis. In this study, a high-resolution plasmonic imaging method is presented, demonstrating its capability to image various nanomaterials and accurately track the interfacial dynamics of nanoparticles. With the simplicity and capacity for label-free and real-time imaging, this approach serves as a promising platform for characterizing nanomaterials at the single-particle level.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
R. Podor, V Trillaud, G. I. Nkou Bouala, N. Dacheux, C. Ricolleau, N. Clavier
Summary: This study utilized two-grain model systems formed by ThO2 nanospheres to experimentally investigate the initial stage of sintering from room temperature to 1050 degrees C. The research revealed that at high temperatures, crystallites underwent reorganization and growth through oriented attachment, leading to the formation of a single crystal. The formation of the neck during sintering was predominantly driven by volume diffusion.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kunmo Koo, Jungjae Park, Sanghyeon Ji, Saltanat Toleukhanova, Jong Min Yuk
Summary: The recent development of liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, especially the novel liquid-flowing graphene chip TEM (LFGC-TEM), shows great potential in providing atomic resolution imaging for colloidal nanoparticles and molecular-level information for unstained wet biomolecules and cells. The robustness and capability of LFGC-TEM could lead to breakthroughs in live imaging of biological phenomena that are not currently achievable with existing methods.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Juliette W. Strasser, Richard M. Crooks
Summary: In this study, the electrocatalytic properties and stability of 1-2 nm Au, Pd, and AuPd alloy nanoparticles for the ethanol oxidation reaction were systematically investigated. It was found that alloyed AuPd nanoparticles exhibited enhanced activity compared to monometallic Au or Pd nanoparticles. The size and composition of AuPd alloy nanoparticles remained stable during electrocatalysis, while monometallic Au nanoparticles increased in size.
Article
Microscopy
Luis Rangel DaCosta, G. Hamish Brown, M. Philipp Pelz, Alexander Rakowski, Natolya Barber, Peter O'Donovan, Patrick McBean, Lewys Jones, Jim Ciston, M. C. Scott, Colin Ophus
Summary: Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) is a powerful tool for materials characterization, and with the widespread adoption of hardware aberration correction, direct electron detectors, and computational imaging methods, it has become one of the most important tools for atomic-resolution materials science. Many imaging methods rely on accurate imaging and diffraction simulations to interpret experimental results, but STEM simulations typically require large calculation times.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Turki Al Hagbani, Hemant Yadav, Afrasim Moin, Amr Selim Abu Lila, Khalid Mehmood, Farhan Alshammari, Salman Khan, El-Sayed Khafagy, Talib Hussain, Syed Mohd Danish Rizvi, Marwa H. Abdallah
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of vancomycin-functionalized gold nanoparticles (V-GNPs) to combat pathogenic bacterial strains. The results indicate that V-GNPs exhibit stronger antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria, even at lower concentrations, compared to pure vancomycin.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xin-Meng Wang, Xing-Wang Wu, Xiao-Ying Zhao, Chen-Wei Wang, Jiang-Ning Zhou
Summary: The study evaluated different sized AuNPs injected into mice and identified three clear exposure-time-dependent patterns associated with AuNPs. Results showed no obvious differences in liver function, liver cell apoptosis, or autophagy upon exposure to AuNPs. Therefore, the study provides a framework for quickly obtaining informative trends about AuNP-triggered subcellular damage patterns.
NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kai Chen, Lefu Zhang, Zhao Shen, Xiaoqin Zeng
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics and formation mechanisms of the surface oxide scale of 310S stainless steel exposed to 650℃ supercritical water for 1000 hours.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kevin M. Roccapriore, Shin-Hum Cho, Andrew R. Lupini, Delia J. Milliron, Sergei Kalinin
Summary: The spatial confinement of matter in functional nanostructures has positioned them at the forefront of nanoscience, serving as playgrounds for exotic physics and quantum phenomena as well as finding applications in various fields. Through modern synthesis processes and precise sculpting, the plasmonic response of nanoparticles can be effectively modified, offering a wide range of possibilities for nanophotonic design.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paula Saez-Espinosa, Laura Robles-Gomez, Leonor Ortega-Lopez, Jon Aizpurua, Maria Jose Gomez-Torres
Summary: This study provides new insights into globozoospermia by evaluating different structural, functional and molecular sperm biomarkers. The findings could have potential implications in improving sperm selection methods for assisted reproductive techniques.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bumsu Park, Ja Kyung Lee, Christoph T. Koch, Martin Woelz, Lutz Geelhaar, Sang Ho Oh
Summary: Growing an InxGa1-xN/GaN multi-quantum well heterostructure in nanowire form can overcome limitations in conventional planar heterostructure LEDs by relaxing the strain induced in the heterostructure through the sidewalls of the nanowire. This study demonstrates techniques for mapping the complex strain distribution within an In0.3Ga0.7N/GaN MQW heterostructure embedded in a GaN nanowire and provides insights into the strain-induced piezoelectric fields in nanowire LEDs.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zonglin Li, Mingxin Xie, Guozheng Nie, Junhui Wang, Lujun Huang
Summary: In this study, we developed an optical biosensor based on an all-dielectric metasurface with broken symmetry. The biosensor exhibited excellent performance, thanks to the high-Q quasi-bound states in the continuum (qBICs) and the efficient field confinement. It has potential applications in extreme biochemical sensing, such as COVID-19 detection at ultralow concentrations.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zheng Liu, Hitomi Nakamura, Tomoko Akai
Summary: This paper presents an in situ TEM/STEM investigation on the transformation process of YAG:Ce phosphors, revealing the dissolution of nanocrystalline CeO2 particles and formation of YAlO3 and YAG:Ce crystalline particles at different temperatures. The study also confirms that doped Ce atoms occupy the same atomic sites as Y atoms, and the obtained YAG:Ce phosphor exhibits efficient luminescent properties.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Fangbo Lin, Jean-Luc Putaux, Bruno Jean
Summary: A strategy to optimize the labeling of native cellulose nanocrystals with gold nanoparticles was developed, revealing that in situ growth approach achieved unprecedented high labeling yields, indicating that cotton-derived CNCs are composed of unidirectional assembly of chemically polar elementary crystallites.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ekaterina A. Kovalenko, Irina V. Andrienko, Denis G. Samsonenko, Aleksandr N. Lavrov, Vladimir P. Fedin
Summary: Five new supramolecular coordination polymers based on cucurbit[6]uril (CB[6]) and mononuclear lanthanide (III) ions were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of the complexes revealed chain-like polymers formed by the packing of mononuclear ions and macrocycles. The complexes were characterized by thermal analysis, elemental analysis, and IR spectroscopy. The fluorescent properties of 1, 3, and 5 were analyzed, and the magnetic properties of 2 and 4 were studied.
INORGANICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alina A. Aktanova, Olga S. Boeva, Margarita Sh. Barkovskaya, Ekaterina A. Kovalenko, Ekaterina A. Pashkina
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules that play important roles in cell signaling and homeostasis. However, at high concentrations, ROS can cause damage to cellular components. Although metal nanoparticles are known to increase ROS production, the effect of cucurbiturils on ROS production is still unknown. In this study, we evaluated the impact of cucurbiturils on ROS production in immune and non-immune cells, as well as tumor cells. Our results showed that cucurbiturils reduced the percentage of ROS-producing cells in platelets, erythrocytes, and activated T-helpers. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between cucurbiturils and ROS production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
E. A. Kovalenko, I. V. Andrienko, D. G. Samsonenko, V. P. Fedin
Summary: Three complexes were successfully prepared by heating a mixture of lanthanide nitrates, cucurbit[6]uril, and water, with single crystal XRD data showing the coordination of metal with the oxygen atoms of cucurbit[6]uril portals.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
I. V. Andrienko, T. S. Sukhikh, E. A. Kovalenko
Summary: A supramolecular adduct has been prepared by heating an aqueous solution containing lithium nitrate and cucurbit[6]uril. The metal is bonded with the macrocycle via bidentate coordination of oxygen atoms, resulting in the formation of a molecular complex. In the crystal, the cations are linked by hydrogen bonds into supramolecular chains.
JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sofia Khabirova, Gleb Aleshin, Tatiana Plakhova, Anastasia Zubenko, Anna Shchukina, Olga Fedorova, Aleksey Averin, Ekaterina Belova, Elena Bazarkina, Kristina Kvashnina, Stepan Kalmykov
Summary: This study is one of the first attempts to evaluate CeO2 nanoparticles as a nanoplatform for radiopharmaceuticals. The process of functionalization using a bifunctional azacrown ligand is described and the resulting conjugates are characterized. The complexes formed with Bi-207 show high stability in medically relevant media, suggesting the potential use of these conjugates as combined radiopharmaceuticals in vivo.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hannah Smith, Luke T. Townsend, Ritesh Mohun, Theo Cordara, Martin C. Stennett, J. Frederick W. Mosselmans, Kristina Kvashnina, Claire L. Corkhill
Summary: This study investigates the fundamental chemistry of Cr-doped UO2 fuels and provides direct evidence of the chemistry of Cr2(3+)O3-doped U(4+)O2 using advanced analytical methods. The study shows that Cr2+ can directly substitute for U4+, accompanied by U5+ and oxygen vacancy charge compensation, explaining the substantial discrepancies in previous literature.
COMMUNICATIONS CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Paul Estevenon, Lucia Amidani, Stephen Bauters, Christelle Tamain, Michael Bodensteiner, Florian Meurer, Christoph Hennig, Gavin Vaughan, Thomas Dumas, Kristina O. Kvashnina
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive interpretation of X-ray measurements on Ce complexes and explores the formation of CeO2 nanoparticles from few Ce ions. The Ce clusters with growing size and nuclearity were synthesized and characterized, revealing consistent trends and changes in CeO2-like properties. The experimental observations were supported by theoretical simulations, extending the fundamental knowledge of Ce oxide nanomaterials.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lucia Amidani, Thomas Dumas, David K. Shuh, Sergei M. Butorin, Christoph J. Sahle, Alessandro Longo, Kristina O. Kvashnina
Summary: Experimental oxygen K-edge spectra of ThO2 and CeO2 are interpreted based on density functional theory (DFT), identifying the contribution of d and f orbitals to the spectra. The sensitivity of the spectra to both f- and d-states provides insight into the electronic structure involved in the chemical bond. The Th 5f band shows a larger bandwidth and more substantial peaks compared to the Ce 4f band in the O K-edge, confirming stronger hybridization with O orbitals. Calculations and discussions are also conducted to demonstrate the sensitivity of the spectra to structural changes in ThO2-based systems.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephan Hilpmann, Andre Rossberg, Robin Steudtner, Bjorn Drobot, Rene Huebner, Frank Bok, Damien Prieur, Stephen Bauters, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Thorsten Stumpf, Andrea Cherkouk
Summary: Microbial U(VI) reduction can influence uranium mobility in contaminated subsurface environments and impact the disposal of high-level radioactive waste. This study investigated the reduction of U(VI) by the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfosporosinus hippei DSM 8344T, which showed fast removal of uranium in artificial Opalinus Clay pore water. Findings from spectroscopic techniques revealed the presence of U(IV) and intermediate U(V) species during the process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriel L. Murphy, Robert Gericke, Sara Gilson, Elena F. Bazarkina, Andre Rossberg, Peter Kaden, Robert Thuemmler, Martina Klinkenberg, Maximilian Henkes, Philip Kegler, Volodymyr Svitlyk, Julien Marquardt, Theresa Lender, Christoph Hennig, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Nina Huittinen
Summary: In this study, researchers used electron paramagnetic resonance, high energy resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption near energy structure and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic measurements to investigate the redox chemistry and mechanism of Cr-doped UO2 nuclear fuel. The results revealed the complexity of Cr states and provided valuable insights for the safe use of Cr-doped UO2 fuels for nuclear energy generation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Yang, Pavel A. Korzhavyi, Pavel A. Nikolaychuk, Elena F. Bazarkina, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Sergei M. Butorin, Nadezda V. Tarakina, Inna L. Soroka
Summary: Transition metal-based catalysts have the potential to replace Pt-based materials in energy conversion devices due to their low cost, reasonable activity, stability, and corrosion resistance. This study demonstrates the synthesis of homogeneous alloy nanoparticles with controlled structure and varying Ni-to-Co ratios using a gamma-radiolytic reduction method. The presence of structural defects in the obtained samples influenced the catalysts' activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction but had a less pronounced effect on the oxygen reduction reaction. The activity of Ni-Co catalysts in the hydrogen evolution reaction was found to be affected by the formation of Ni-OH bonds on the surface.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivan N. Pidchenko, John N. Christensen, Martin Kutzschbach, Konstantin Ignatyev, Ignasi Puigdomenech, Eva-Lena Tullborg, Nick M. W. Roberts, E. Troy Rasbury, Paul Northrup, Ryan Tappero, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Thorsten Schaefer, Yohey Suzuki, Henrik Drake
Summary: Bacteria-driven organic degradation facilitates the reduction of geochemically mobile U(VI) in deep anoxic aquifers, leading to accumulation in calcite and iron-sulfides. Isotopic signatures of U and Ca provide insights on reduction behavior and calcite growth rate. The selective U accumulation in secondary minerals highlights the potential of these widespread mineralogical sinks for U in deep anoxic environments.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Malin C. Dixon C. Wilkins, Luke T. Townsend, Martin C. Stennett, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Claire L. Corkhill, Neil C. Hyatt
Summary: ThTi2O6 derived compounds with the brannerite structure were designed and synthesised to stabilise incorporation of U5+ or U6+ at dilute concentration. Co-substitution of Gd3+, Ca2+, Al3+, or Cr3+ on the Th or Ti site was used for charge compensation. XANES and Raman spectroscopy data showed that U5+ was the major oxidation state, with a minor fraction of U6+ (2-13%) in all compounds. The results suggest that uranate, rather than uranyl, is the dominant U6+ species in the reported brannerites due to unfavourable electrostatic repulsion arising from substitution in the octahedral Th or Ti sites.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Kai Lv, Michael Patzschke, Juliane Maerz, Elena Bazarkina, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Moritz Schmidt
Summary: Isonicotinic acid (INA), a N,O-donor bifunctional ligand, can differentiate Th4+ from other ions (Cs+,Ba2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Pd2+, ReO4-,La3+, Ce3+, Ce4+, UO22+) in spent nuclear fuels and form a Th-INA-1 actinide metal-organic framework through selective crystallization. This unprecedented framework, with the highest ligand-binding number (16), shows promise as a primary waste form due to its structural integrity, even when exposed to doses of 6 MGy beta-or gamma-irradiation.
ACS MATERIALS LETTERS
(2023)
Correction
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Paul Estevenon, Thomas Dumas, Pier Lorenzo Solari, Eleonore Welcomme, Stephanie Szenknect, Adel Mesbah, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Philippe Moisy, Christophe Poinssot, Nicolas Dacheux
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
