TY - JOUR A1 - Pérez Blanes, H. A1 - Ghiasi, P. A1 - Sandkühler, J. A1 - Yesilcicek, Yasemin A1 - Pentzien, Simone A1 - Conradi, Andrea A1 - Prinz, Carsten A1 - Al-Sabbagh, Dominik A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Özcan Sandikcioglu, Özlem A1 - Witt, Julia T1 - High CO2 reduction activity on AlCrCoCuFeNi multi-principal element alloy nanoparticle electrocatalysts prepared by means of pulsed laser ablation N2 - Noble metal-free nanoparticles (NPs) based on multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) were synthesized using a one-step pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLALs) method for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. Laser ablation was performed in pure water or poly-(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC)-containing an aqueous solution of Al8Cr17Co17Cu8Fe17Ni33 MPEA targets. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements combined with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping were used to characterize the structure and composition of the laser-generated MPEA nanoparticles (MPEA-NPs). These results confirmed the presence of a characteristic elemental distribution of a core-shell phase structure as the predominant NP species. The electrocatalytic performance of the laser-generated MPEA-NPs was characterized by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) demonstrating an enhanced electrocatalytic CO2 activity for PDADMAC-stabilized NPs. The findings of these investigations indicate that MPEAs have great potential to replace conventional, expensive noble metal electrocatalysts. KW - Multi-principal element alloys KW - Chemically Complex Materials KW - CCMat KW - Electrocatalysis KW - Carbon dioxide reduction KW - Pulsed laser ablation PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-594018 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.05.143 VL - 24 SP - 9434 EP - 9440 PB - Elsevier BV AN - OPUS4-59401 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Pérez Blanes, H. A1 - Ghiasi, Pouria A1 - Sandkühler, J. A1 - Yesilcicek, Yasemin A1 - Pentzien, Simone A1 - Conradi, Andrea A1 - Prinz, Carsten A1 - Al-Sabbagh, Dominik A1 - Thünemann, Andreas A1 - Özcan Sandikcioglu, Özlem A1 - Witt, Julia T1 - High CO2 reduction activity on AlCrCoCuFeNi multi-principal element alloy nanoparticle electrocatalysts prepared by means of pulsed laser ablation N2 - Noble metal-free nanoparticles (NPs) based on multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) were synthesized using a one-step pulsed laser ablation in liquids (PLALs) method for the electrochemical reduction of CO2. Laser ablation was performed in pure water or poly-(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC)-containing an aqueous solution of Al8Cr17Co17Cu8Fe17Ni33 MPEA targets. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements combined with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) mapping were used to characterize the structure and composition of the laser-generated MPEA nanoparticles (MPEA-NPs). These results confirmed the presence of a characteristic elemental distribution of a core-shell phase structure as the predominant NP species. The electrocatalytic performance of the laser-generated MPEA-NPs was characterized by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) demonstrating an enhanced electrocatalytic CO2 activity for PDADMAC-stabilized NPs. The findings of these investigations indicate that MPEAs have great potential to replace conventional, expensive noble metal electrocatalysts. KW - Metals and Alloys KW - Surfaces KW - Biomaterials KW - Ceramics and Composites KW - Coatings and Films PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-588218 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.05.143 SN - 2238-7854 VL - 24 SP - 9434 EP - 9440 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-58821 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Quiroz, J. A1 - de Oliveira, P. F. M. A1 - Shetty, S. A1 - Oropeza, F. A1 - Peña O’Shea, V. A1 - Rodrigues, L. A1 - Rodrigues, M. A1 - Torresi, R. A1 - Emmerling, Franziska A1 - Camargo, P. T1 - Bringing earth-abundant plasmonic catalysis to light: Gram-scale mechanochemical synthesis and tuning of activity by dual excitation of antenna and reactor sites N2 - The localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) excitation in plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) in the visible and near-infrared ranges is currently at the forefront of improving photocatalytic performances via plasmonic photocatalysis. One bottleneck of this field is that the NPs that often display the best optical properties in the visible and near-infrared ranges are based on expensive noble metals such as silver (Ag) and gold (Au). While earth-abundant plasmonic materials have been proposed together with catalytic metals in antenna–reactor systems, their performances remain limited by their optical properties. Importantly, the synthesis of plasmonic photocatalysts remains challenging in terms of scalability while often requiring several steps, high temperatures, and special conditions. Herein, we address these challenges by developing a one-pot, gram-scale, room-temperature synthesis of earth-abundant plasmonic photocatalysts while improving their activities beyond what has been dictated by the LSPR excitation of the plasmonic component. We describe the mechanochemical synthesis of earth-abundant plasmonic photocatalysts by using MoO3 (antenna) and Au (reactor) NPs as a proof-of-concept example and demonstrate that the dual plasmonic excitation of antenna and reactor sites enables the tuning of plasmonic photocatalytic performances toward the reductive coupling of nitrobenzene to azobenzene as a model reaction. In addition to providing a pathway to the facile and gram-scale synthesis of plasmonic photocatalysts, the results reported herein may open pathways to improved activities in plasmonic catalysis. KW - MoO3 KW - Au nanoparticles KW - Localized surface plasmon resonance KW - Plasmonic photocatalysis KW - Nitrobenzene reduction PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-532089 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c02063 VL - 9 IS - 29 SP - 9750 EP - 9760 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-53208 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Raab, A. R. A1 - Grießler, T. R. A1 - Rück, D. A1 - Li, Z. A1 - Zens, A. A1 - Bruckner, J. R. A1 - Huber, P. A1 - Schönhals, Andreas A1 - Szymoniak, Paulina A1 - Laschat, S. T1 - Salt complexation drives liquid crystalline selfassembly in crown ether–amino acid hybrids N2 - Crown ether–amino acid hybrids represent a promising class of amphiphilic molecules combining ion recognition with self-assembly capabilities. Despite extensive studies on their binding properties, the influence of inorganic salt complexation on their liquid crystalline behaviour remains underexplored. Here we synthesized amphiphilic [18]-crown-6 derivatives of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine and tetrahydroisoquinoline analogues, systematically investigating the effects of alkyl chain length and salt type on mesophase formation. Complexation with various salts induced liquid crystalline phases, transitioning from smectic A to columnar hexagonal structures as anion size and alkyl chain length increased. Structural analyses and electron density mapping revealed assembly into charged superdiscs forming columnar stacks with tunable ion channels. Broadband dielectric spectroscopy highlighted differences in molecular mobility and conductivity linked to molecular design. These findings establish salt complexation as a key strategy to control self-assembly and ion transport in crown ether–amino acid hybrids, advancing their potential in responsive soft materials and ion-conductive applications. KW - Ionic liquid crystals PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-655986 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/d5tc04129e SP - 1 EP - 18 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) AN - OPUS4-65598 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Reliable physico–chemical characterisation of graphene-related and other 2D materials: present and future N2 - In the path of commercialisation of graphene-related and other 2D materials the consolidation has begun. In this phase, it is important to build trust between the individual partners in the product value chain. This requires trustworthy statements based on reliable and reproducible material characterisation. The first steps have been taken to measure graphene and other related 2D materials (GR2Ms) under well-defined conditions. Measurands and protocols for key methods were made available for this purpose. But there are still some challenges to overcome such as (i) reference materials, (ii) reference data, (iii) reproducibility throughout the workflow, (iv) credible structure-activity relationships, bringing the standards to (v) the factory floor and to (vi) real-word products. In addition, 2D materials beyond graphene should also be considered exploiting the knowledge gained from the characterisation of GR2M. KW - 2D Materials KW - Commercialisation KW - Standardisation KW - Trust PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-638122 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1583/aded9d SN - 2053-1583 VL - 12 IS - 4 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - IOP Publishing AN - OPUS4-63812 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan A1 - Jungnickel, H. A1 - Tentschert, J. A1 - Luch, A. A1 - Sogne, V. A1 - Maier, F. A1 - Burr, L. A1 - Schmid, D. A1 - Yoon, T.-H. A1 - Petters, R. A1 - Briffa, S.M. A1 - Valsami-Jones, E. T1 - Automation and Standardization—A Coupled Approach Towards Reproducible Sample Preparation Protocols for Nanomaterial Analysis N2 - Whereas the characterization of nanomaterials using different analytical techniques is often highly automated and standardized, the sample preparation that precedes it causes a bottleneck in nanomaterial analysis as it is performed manually. Usually, this pretreatment depends on the skills and experience of the analysts. Furthermore, adequate reporting of the sample preparation is often missing. In this overview, some solutions for techniques widely used in nano-analytics to overcome this problem are discussed. Two examples of sample preparation optimization by au-tomation are presented, which demonstrate that this approach is leading to increased analytical confidence. Our first example is motivated by the need to exclude human bias and focuses on the development of automation in sample introduction. To this end, a robotic system has been de-veloped, which can prepare stable and homogeneous nanomaterial suspensions amenable to a variety of well-established analytical methods, such as dynamic light scattering (DLS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), field-flow fractionation (FFF) or single-particle inductively coupled mass spectrometry (sp-ICP-MS). Our second example addresses biological samples, such as cells exposed to nanomaterials, which are still challenging for reliable analysis. An air–liquid interface has been developed for the exposure of biological samples to nanomaterial-containing aerosols. The system exposes transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids under reproducible conditions, whilst also allowing characterization of aerosol composition with mass spectrometry. Such an approach enables correlative measurements combining biological with physicochemical analysis. These case studies demonstrate that standardization and automation of sample preparation setups, combined with appropriate measurement processes and data reduction are crucial steps towards more reliable and reproducible data. KW - Sample preparation KW - Automation KW - Nanomaterial analysis KW - Standardization PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-543988 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27030985 VL - 27 IS - 3 SP - 1 EP - 22 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-54398 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Kersting, R. A1 - Hagenhoff, B. A1 - Bennet, Francesca A1 - Ciornii, Dmitri A1 - Nymark, P. A1 - Grafström, R. A1 - Hodoroaba, Vasile-Dan T1 - Reliable Surface Analysis Data of Nanomaterials in Support of Risk Assessment Based on Minimum Information Requirements N2 - The minimum information requirements needed to guarantee high-quality surface Analysis data of nanomaterials are described with the aim to provide reliable and traceable Information about size, shape, elemental composition and surface chemistry for risk assessment approaches. The widespread surface analysis methods electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) were considered. The complete analysis sequence from sample preparation, over measurements, to data analysis and data format for reporting and archiving is outlined. All selected methods are used in surface analysis since many years so that many aspects of the analysis (including (meta)data formats) are already standardized. As a practical analysis use case, two coated TiO2 reference nanoparticulate samples, which are available on the Joint Research Centre (JRC) repository, were selected. The added value of the complementary analysis is highlighted based on the minimum information requirements, which are well-defined for the analysis methods selected. The present paper is supposed to serve primarily as a source of understanding of the high standardization level already available for the high-quality data in surface analysis of nanomaterials as reliable input for the nanosafety community. KW - Electron microscopy KW - X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy KW - Secondary ion mass spectrometry KW - Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy KW - Standardization PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-522683 DO - https://doi.org/10.3390/nano11030639 VL - 11 IS - 3 SP - 639 PB - MDPI AN - OPUS4-52268 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Knigge, Xenia A1 - Andresen, Elina A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Cant, D.J.H. A1 - Shard, A.G. A1 - Clifford, C.A. T1 - Composition, thickness, and homogeneity of the coating of core–shell nanoparticles—possibilities, limits, and challenges of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy N2 - Core–shell nanoparticles have attracted much attention in recent years due to their unique properties and their increasing importance in many technological and consumer products. However, the chemistry of nanoparticles is still rarely investigated in comparison to their size and morphology. In this review, the possibilities, limits, and challenges of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for obtaining more insights into the composition, thickness, and homogeneity of nanoparticle coatings are discussed with four examples: CdSe/CdS quantum dots with a thick coating and a small core; NaYF4-based upconverting nanoparticles with a large Yb-doped core and a thin Er-doped coating; and two types of polymer nanoparticles with a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) core with either a poly(methyl methacrylate) or polystyrene coating. Different approaches for calculating the thickness of the coating are presented, like a simple numerical modelling or a more complex simulation of the photoelectron peaks. Additionally, modelling of the XPS background for the investigation of coating is discussed. Furthermore, the new possibilities to measure with varying excitation energies or with hard-energy X-ray sources (hard-energy X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) are described. A discussion about the sources of uncertainty for the determination of the thickness of the coating completes this review. KW - X-ray spectroscopy KW - Nanoparticles KW - Spectroscopy / Instrumentation KW - Spectroscopy / Theory PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-548305 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-022-04057-9 VL - 414 IS - 15 SP - 4331 EP - 4345 PB - SpringerNature AN - OPUS4-54830 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Radtke, Martin A1 - Rakotondrajoa, A. T1 - Machine learning based quantification of synchrotron radiation-induced X-ray fluorescence measurements - a case study N2 - In this work, we describe the use of artificial neural networks for the quantification of X-ray fluorescence measurements. The training data were generated using Monte Carlo simulation, which avoided the use of adapted reference materials. The extension of the available data set by means of an ANN to generate additional data was demonstrated. Particular emphasis was put on the comparability of simulated and experimental data and how the influence of deviations can be reduced. The search for the optimal hyperparameter, manual and automatic, is also described. For the presented case, we were able to train a network with a mean absolute error of 0.1 weight percent for the synthetic data and 0.7 weight percent for a set of experimental data obtained with certified reference materials. KW - Machine learning KW - BAMline KW - XRF KW - Synchrotron KW - Neural network PY - 2020 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-519008 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-2153/abc9fb SP - 1 EP - 16 PB - IOP Publishing AN - OPUS4-51900 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rahner, E. A1 - Thiele, T. A1 - Voss, Heike A1 - Müller, F.A. A1 - Bonse, Jörn A1 - Gräf, S. T1 - Objective, high-throughput regularity quantification of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) N2 - The growing demand for precise surface functionalization through laser-generated periodic surface structures highlights the necessity for efficient, reproducible, and objective evaluation methods to evaluate their structural regularity. We introduce ReguΛarity (v.1.2.7), a freely available, Python-based software with a graphical user interface for the automated, quantitative assessment of the regularity of laser-induced periodic surfaces structures (LIPSS), obtained from optical microscopy, SEM, or AFM. The software integrates image segmentation, one- and two-dimensional Fourier analyses, and gradient-based orientation determination to facilitate a comprehensive regularity analysis of grating-like (quasi-)periodic surface patterns with spatial periods Λ. This is achieved through the proposed regularity tuple R, composed of five key parameters: the normalized spread of the spatial period RΛ,2D (from 2D-FT), the normalized variation of the most frequent spatial period RΛ (from 1D-FT), the Gini coefficient G, the Dispersion of the LIPSS Orientation Angle δθ (DLOA), and the mean phase deviation . To demonstrate its applicability, we compare ideal sinusoidal patterns with SEM images obtained from LIPSS on stainless steel (AISI 316L) and aluminum alloy (AlMg5) surfaces, confirming the software’s ability to objectively distinguish between varying levels of structural regularity. ReguΛarity facilitates high-throughput analysis and data-driven process optimization in surface engineering and laser materials processing. KW - Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) KW - Image processing KW - Regularity quantification KW - Fourier analysis KW - Structural homogeneity PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-654070 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2026.165919 SN - 0169-4332 VL - 726 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Elsevier B.V. AN - OPUS4-65407 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rastgou, Masoud A1 - Hülagü, Deniz A1 - Danilenko, Aleksandr A1 - Manoocheri, Farshid A1 - Hertwig, Andreas A1 - Ikonen, Erkki T1 - Comparison of thin-film thickness measurements using ellipsometry and reflectometry with uniform samples N2 - This study evaluates spectroscopic ellipsometry and reflectometry using high-quality SiO2 and Al2O3 thin-films on Si substrates, thereby facilitating a detailed assessment of consistency of measurement results and uncertainty analyses. The results with detailed uncertainty budgets indicate good agreement between the two methods across a broad layer thickness range from 10 nm to 2000 nm, with deviations remaining well within the measurement uncertainties. Ellipsometry results have lower uncertainty than reflectometry results especially with the thinner layers, whereas reflectometry uncertainties are lower with the thickest layers studied. This work underscores the importance of rigorous thickness characterization and reliable uncertainty evaluation as critical factors in advancing both modeling and measurement practices in thin-film metrology. KW - Ellipsometry KW - Reflectometry KW - Thin Film Metrology KW - Measurement Accuracy PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-655209 DO - https://doi.org/10.1088/1681-7575/ae3964 SN - 0026-1394 VL - 63 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 14 PB - IOP Publishing CY - Bristol, UK AN - OPUS4-65520 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rautenberg, Max A1 - Akhmetova, Irina A1 - Das, Chayanika A1 - Bhattacharya, Biswajit A1 - Emmerling, Franziska T1 - Synthesis and In Situ Monitoring of Mechanochemical Preparation of Highly Proton Conductive Hydrogen-Bonded Metal Phosphonates N2 - Crystalline porous materials are recognized as promising proton conductors for the proton exchange membrane (PEM) in fuel cell technology owing to their tunable framework structure. However, it is still a challenging bulk synthesis for real-world applications of these materials. Herein, we report the mechanochemical gram-scale synthesis of two isostructural metal hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (MHOFs) of Co(II) and Ni(II) based on 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid (HEDPH4) with 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy): Co(HEDPH3)2(2,2′-bipy)·H2O (1) and Ni(HEDPH3)2(2,2′-bipy)·H2O (2). In situ monitoring of the mechanochemical synthesis using different synchrotron-based techniques revealed a one-step mechanism – the starting materials are directly converted to the product. With the existence of extensive hydrogen bonds with amphiprotic uncoordinated phosphonate hydroxyl and oxygen atoms, both frameworks exhibited proton conduction in the range of 10–4 S cm–1 at room temperature under humid conditions. This study demonstrates the potential of green mechanosynthesis for bulk material preparation of framework-based solid-state proton conductors. KW - Mechanochemistry KW - Proton conductivity KW - Metal Organic Frameworks PY - 2023 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-577777 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c07509 VL - 8 IS - 19 SP - 16687 EP - 16693 PB - ACS Publications AN - OPUS4-57777 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rautenberg, Max A1 - Bhattacharya, Biswajit A1 - Witt, Julia A1 - Jain, Mohit A1 - Emmerling, Franziska T1 - In situ time-resolved monitoring of mixed-ligand metal–organic framework mechanosynthesis N2 - The mechanism of mixed-ligand metal–organic framework (MOF) formation, and the possible role of intermediate single-ligand metal complexes during mechanosynthesis, have not been explored yet. For the first time, we report here in situ real-time monitoring of the mechanochemical formation mechanism of mixed-ligand MOFs. Our results show that binary phases can act as intermediates or competing products in one-pot and stepwise synthesis. KW - Mechanochemistry KW - Metal-organic-frameworks KW - In situ X-ray diffraction KW - Mixed-ligand MOFs PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-558167 DO - https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CE00803C SP - 1 EP - 4 PB - Royal Society of Chemistry AN - OPUS4-55816 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Rautenberg, Max A1 - Gernhard, M. A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Witt, Julia A1 - Roth, C. A1 - Emmerling, Franziska T1 - Mechanochemical synthesis of fluorine-containing Co-doped zeolitic imidazolate frameworks for producing electrocatalysts N2 - Catalysts derived from pyrolysis of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are promising candidates to replace expensive and scarce platinum-based electrocatalysts commonly used in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. MOFs contain ordered connections between metal centers and organic ligands. They can be pyrolyzed into metal- and nitrogen-doped carbons, which show electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Furthermore, metal-free heteroatom-doped carbons, such as N-F-Cs, are known for being active as well. Thus, a carbon material with Co-N-F doping could possibly be even more promising as ORR electrocatalyst. Herein, we report the mechanochemical synthesis of two polymorphs of a zeolitic imidazole framework, Co-doped zinc 2-trifluoromethyl-1H-imidazolate (Zn0.9Co0.1(CF3-Im)2). Time-resolved in situ X-ray diffraction studies of the mechanochemical formation revealed a direct conversion of starting materials to the products. Both polymorphs of Zn0.9Co0.1(CF3-Im)2 were pyrolyzed, yielding Co-N-F containing carbons, which are active toward electrochemical ORR. KW - Mechanochemistry KW - Metal-organic-frameworks KW - Nobel-metal free electrocatalysis PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-546833 DO - https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2022.840758 SN - 2296-2646 VL - 10 IS - 840758 SP - 1 EP - 13 PB - Frontiers Media CY - Lausanne AN - OPUS4-54683 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Ravi, J. A1 - Feiler, Torvid A1 - Mondal, A. A1 - Michalchuk, Adam A1 - Reddy, C. M. A1 - Bhattacharya, Biswajit A1 - Emmerling, Franziska A1 - Chandrasekar, R. T1 - Plastically bendable organic crystals for monolithic and hybrid micro-optical circuits N2 - Fluorescent plastically bendable crystals are a promising alternative to silicon-based materials for fabricating photonic integrated circuits, owing to their optical attributes and mechanical compliance. Mechanically bendable plastic organic crystals are rare. Their formation requires anisotropic intermolecular interactions and slip planes in the crystal lattice. This work presents three fluorescent plastically bendable crystalline materials namely, 2-((E)-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylimino)methyl)-4-chlorophenol (SB1), 2-((E)-(6-methylpyridin-2-ylimino)methyl)-4-bromophenol (SB2), and 2-((E)-(6-Bromopyridin-2-ylimino)methyl)-4-bromophenol (SB3) molecules. The crystal plasticity in response to mechanical stress facilitates the fabrication of various monolithic and hybrid (with a tip-to-tip coupling) photonic circuits using mechanical micromanipulation with an atomic force microscope cantilever tip. These plastically bendable crystals act as active (self-guiding of fluorescence) and passive waveguides both in straight and extremely bent (U-, J-, and O-shaped) geometries. These microcircuits use active and passive waveguiding principles and reabsorbance and energy-transfer mechanisms for their operation, allowing input-selective and direction-specific signal transduction. KW - Flexible crystals KW - Flexible waveguide PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-565302 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202201518 SN - 2195-1071 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-56530 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Recknagel, Sebastian A1 - Richter, Silke A1 - Hoppe, Marion A1 - Meckelburg, Angela A1 - Prinz, Carsten A1 - Roik, Janina A1 - Abad Andrade, Carlos Enrique T1 - Powering precision: development of a certified reference material for elemental composition analysis of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (Li-NMC) cathode material for lithium-ion batteries N2 - This work presents the development and certification of the world’s first certified reference material (CRM), BAM-S014, for a lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNi0.33Mn0.33Co0.33O2 or Li-NMC 111) cathode material—an integral component in high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles (EVs), portable electronics, and stationary energy storage systems. By providing certified mass fractions for 11 elements, this CRM addresses a critical need for accurate and traceable elemental analysis, supporting quality control and regulatory compliance in the global battery industry. Ensuring reliable and harmonized measurements supports the efficient use of resources, including the reuse of recycled materials, and ultimately helps maintain product performance and safety. The values were assigned through an interlaboratory comparison involving 16 participating laboratories and various analytical techniques such as inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry, and combustion analysis. In addition to chemical characterization, the certification process includes homogeneity and stability testing of the candidate material. Details are provided on the analytical methods used for chemical characterization and the calculation of the uncertainties of the certified mass fractions. In addition to detailing the development of the CRMs, this work provides an overview of ongoing standardization activities in Li-component analysis, thereby guiding the calibration of analytical methods and contributing to the establishment of globally accepted standards for evaluating energy storage materials and advancing sustainable mobility and clean energy solutions. KW - Certified reference material KW - Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide KW - LNMC KW - Lithium-ion battery KW - Cathode material PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-643763 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-025-05766-7 SN - 1618-2642 VL - 417 IS - 12 SP - 2643 EP - 2653 PB - Springer Nature AN - OPUS4-64376 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Redda, Zinnabu T. A1 - Brennecke, Daniel A1 - Prinz, Carsten A1 - Yimam, Abubeker A1 - Barz, Mirko A1 - Kadow, Steffen A1 - Laß-Seyoum, Asnakech T1 - Synthesis and characterization of AlPO4-18 supported mesoporous and crystalline β-Mo2C, Ni3C, and WC nanoparticles N2 - Developing high-efficiency, high-stability, and low-cost deoxygenation and hydrocracking catalysts could be considered one of the most significant breakthroughs in catalytic hydroprocessing. The present study utilized aluminophosphate (AlPO4-18), a zeolite-like molecular sieve, as catalyst support for producing carbon-coated β-Mo2C, Ni3C, and WC nanoparticles. The synthesis used an incipient wetness impregnation followed by a temperature-programmed reduction-carburization approach which involved cracking a hydrocarbon gas, propane, in a hydrogen environment. The synthesis parameters were a 1:7 propane/hydrogen reductive-carburizing gas stream, 15 wt.% metal loading, an 800 °C carburization temperature ramped-up at a heating rate of 10 °C min−1, a 2-h holding time, and a 1-h holding time in hydrogen. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using thermogravimetry mass spectroscopy/temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO TG-MS), nitrogen physisorption at 77 K, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM EDS). TPO TG-MS, nitrogen physisorption, TEM, and XRD characterization results proved that atomic carbon was successfully incorporated into the lattice interstitials, resulting in thermally stable, well-dispersed, crystalline and mesoporous β-Mo2C/AlPO4-18, Ni3C/AlPO4-18, and WC/AlPO4-18 nanoparticles. XRD analysis showed structural evolution during reduction-carburization, with average crystallite sizes of metal-containing particles of 8.2–9.22, 6.64–8.50, and 6.03–7.56 nm for β-Mo2C/AlPO4-18, Ni3C/AlPO4-18, and WC/AlPO4-18, respectively. These values did not significantly deviate from high-resolution TEM analysis. The surface areas of the nanoparticles were categorized in decreasing order as WC/AlPO4-18 > Ni3C/AlPO4-18 > β-Mo2C/AlPO4-18, with values of 193.79, 169.05, and 66.57 m2 g−1, respectively. In conclusion, these carbon-coated metal carbide nanoparticles with excellent thermal, structural, microscopic, and textural properties can be viable alternatives to noble metal catalysts for producing bio-jet fuel using the hydroprocessing pathway. KW - Catalyst synthesis KW - Temperature-programmed reduction-carburization KW - Catalyst characterization KW - BET surface area KW - Nanoparticle KW - Transition metal carbide catalyst KW - TEM PY - 2024 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-608182 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/s10562-024-04791-y SN - 1011-372X SN - 1572-879X VL - 154 SP - 5969 EP - 5988 PB - Springer Science and Business Media CY - Dordrecht AN - OPUS4-60818 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Redda, Zinnabu Tassew A1 - Prinz, Carsten A1 - Yimam, Abubeker A1 - Barz, Mirko A1 - Becker, Katharina A1 - Gizaw, Desta Getachew A1 - Laß-Seyoum, Asnakech T1 - Structural and textural characterization of Brassica carinata biochar to investigate its potential industrial applications N2 - Biochar, a low-cost, and carbon-rich product of the thermal decomposition of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions and at relatively low temperatures, has recently been identified as a promising porous material with a wide range of industrial applications. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis of proximate, ultimate, nutrient profile, structural, and textural properties of a biochar derived from two Ethiopian indigenous Brassica carinata cultivars was conducted. The characterization of the biochar was achieved by employing a variety of well-established methods, including proximate analysis (moisture, volatile matter, ash content, and fixed carbon), ultimate analysis (C, S, and O content), atomic oxygen to carbon ratio (O/C), morphological and elemental composition analysis through scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Furthermore, a combination of mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), dynamic vapor sorption (DVS), and gas adsorption methods such as nitrogen and krypton gas adsorption, were used for an in-depth study of the porous structure. SEM morphological characterization showed that the biochar surfaces showed multiple pores of diverse sizes and shapes. EDS elemental composition analysis revealed that sodium, aluminium, and silicon were not detected, but potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron were all present in noticeable amounts. Furthermore, ultimate analysis showed that the most prevalent elements were carbon (86 wt.%) and oxygen (10.41‒9.77 wt.%), while sulphur was present in negligible concentrations. MIP analysis demonstrated that the porosities of the biochars varied from 62.68 to 69.99 wt.%, with the Holetta-1 biochar showing the highest porosity. The superior porosity of Holetta-1, as confirmed via MIP analysis, yielded higher values for bulk volume (2.36 mL g− 1), skeletal volume (1.65 mL g− 1), and total intrusion volume (1.65 mL g− 1) compared to the Yellow Dodolla. The most frequent pore diameters were 172.46 μm for Yellow Dodolla and 111.42 μm for Holetta-1. The MIP log differential pore diameter distributions were observed to vary from 18 to 411 μm and 10 to 411 μm, respectively, for Yellow Dodolla and Holetta-1. Despite the biochars’ low specific surface areas (0.17–0.21 m² g⁻¹), krypton sorption was a suitable technique for its characterization compared to DVS and nitrogen sorption methods. In conclusion, the characterization studies confirmed that this carbon-rich porous material possesses unique and valuable properties, with these attributes position it as a promising alternative for diverse industrial applications, contributing to the development of a bio-based circular economy. KW - Morphological characterization KW - Mercury intrusion porosimetry KW - Gas adsorption PY - 2026 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-655325 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-32063-1 SN - 2045-2322 VL - 16 IS - 1 SP - 1 EP - 19 PB - Springer Science and Business Media LLC AN - OPUS4-65532 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reed, B.P. A1 - Radnik, Jörg A1 - Shard, A.G. T1 - Ionic liquid [PMIM]+[NTf2]− (Solarpur®) characterized by XPS N2 - X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed on the meniscus of a droplet of ionic liquid 1-propyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [PMIM]+[NTf2]− (Solarpur®) in ultrahigh vacuum. High-resolution spectra of F 1s, O 1s, N 1s, C 1s, and S 2p are presented along with a survey spectrum and the valence band structure. The spectra presented here were generated using monochromatic Al Kα radiation (1486.6 eV). KW - Ionic liquid KW - 1-propyl-3-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide KW - X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1116/6.0001518 VL - 29 IS - 1 SP - 014001-1 PB - AVS AN - OPUS4-54335 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Reigl, Selina A1 - Van Driessche, Alexander A1 - Stawski, Tomasz A1 - Koltzenburg, Sebastian A1 - Kunz, Werner A1 - Kellermeier, Matthias T1 - Sustainable Pathways for the Synthesis of Calcium Sulfate Hemihydrate N2 - Calcium sulfate, and especially its hemihydrate form (bassanite), is crucial in the construction industry, primarily used as a hydraulic binder in cements, mortars, and wallboards. Because of the rapid transformation of bassanite into thermodynamically stable gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) upon contact with water, natural deposits are scarce, rendering it one of the most extensively produced inorganic materials worldwide. Currently, bassanite is derived from mined or waste gypsum through a thermal dehydration process, which is energy-intensive and costly. As sustainability has become a key target for industrial processes and products, a series of studies aiming to increase the energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of bassanite production was published recently. Two primary approaches are pursued: conversion of gypsum and direct precipitation of bassanite from solution. In both cases, organic solvents, (specific) additives and/or elevated temperatures have been used to control the activity/availability of water in the reaction medium and thus direct phase selection towards bassanite. This review offers a comprehensive overview of alternative bassanite production methods, critically examining their benefits, potential downsides, and overall impact on the sustainability of industrial-scale use. KW - Calcium sulfate KW - Gypsum KW - Bassanite KW - Recycling PY - 2025 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-630657 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202415161 SN - 1521-3773 SP - 1 EP - 20 PB - Wiley VHC-Verlag AN - OPUS4-63065 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -