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Paper des Monats
- ja (13)
The mechanism of action of zirconium permanent modifiers on graphite surfaces was investigated in order to understand its influence on the analytical signal in atomic and molecular absorption spectrometry (AAS/MAS). For this, the molecule formation of CaF was studied, which is used for the indirect analytical determination of fluorine in high-resolution continuum source graphite furnace molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS-GFMAS). The kinetics of this reaction was established by monitoring its molecular spectrum at different atomisation temperatures. An Arrhenius plot showed a pseudo-first order reaction with respect to fluorine (n = 1). An intermediate state was isolated, and its structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods: scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEMEDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES and EXAFS), and Raman microspectroscopy. We propose here a mechanism, where ZrO2 acts as a heterogeneous catalyst: after a pyrolytic step, an intermediate state of ZrO(OCaF) is activated, and at higher temperatures, CaF(g) is released from the zirconium-coated graphite surface. No evidence of the formation of zirconium carbide was found. Consequently, as the CaF formation is catalysed by a heterogeneous catalyst, surface modifications with ZrO2 nanoparticles and ZrO xerogels were investigated in order to increase the surface area. Their influence was evaluated in the molecule formation of CaF, CaCl, CaBr, and CaI. Graphite furnace modification with zirconium oxide nanoparticles proves to be the best choice for fluorine analysis with a signal enhancement of more than eleven times with respect a non-coated graphite furnace. However, the influence of zirconium modifications in the analytical signals of Cl, and I is lower than the F signals or even negative in case of the Br. Understanding zirconium modifiers as heterogeneous catalysts offers a new perspective to AAS and MAS, and reveals the potential of surface analytical methods for development of improved permanent modifiers and graphite furnace coatings.
Herein, two polyurethane oligomers were successfully synthesized using a prepolymer mixing process. The prepolymers were synthesized based on the step-growth addition polymerization of polypropylene glycol, Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate or 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate. Isopropanol was functioned as the isocyanate blocking agent. Thereafter, different terpolymer emulsions were prepared by the emulsion graft copolymerization with the vinyl acetate monomer in presence of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate as a vinyl monomer. The chemical structures of the synthesized oligomeric monomers were probed by FTIR spectroscopy and found to vary with the content of acrylic monomer used in the oligomer synthesis phase (i.e.hydroxyethyl acrylate or hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The topography, thermal stability, and particle size of terpolymers were investigated by SEM, TGA, and zeta potential, respectively. The TGA results demonstrated marked enhancement in thermal stability of the synthesized terpolymers up to ca. 600°C, which was concurrent with enhanced surface homogeneity and film properties as evidenced by the SEM images. These terpolymers showed also property enhancement as binders for textile pigment printing in terms of rubbing resistance, color strength and fastness to washing when compared to the commercial binders.
These judgments would provide a new competent synthesis route by introducing polyurethane acetate vinyl acrylate as the binder for use in pigment printing of cotton fabrics.
Tracking waterborne microplastic (MP) in urban areas is a challenging task because of the various sources and transport pathways involved. Since MP occurs in low concentrations in most wastewater and stormwater streams, large sample volumes need to be captured, prepared, and carefully analyzed. The recent research in urban areas focused mainly on MP emissions at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), as obvious entry points into receiving waters. However, important transport pathways under wet-weather conditions are yet not been investigated thoroughly. In addition, the lack of comprehensive and comparable sampling strategies complicated the attempts for a deeper understanding of occurrence and sources. The goal of this paper is to (i) introduce and describe sampling strategies for MP at different locations in a municipal catchment area under dry and wet-weather conditions, (ii) quantify MP emissions from the entire catchment and two other smaller ones within the bigger catchment, and (iii) compare the emissions under dry and wet-weather conditions. WWTP has a high removal rate of MP (>96%), with an estimated emission rate of 189 kg/a or 0.94 g/[population equivalents (PEQ · a)], and polyethylene (PE) as the most abundant MP. The specific dry-weather emissions at a subcatchment were ≈30 g/(PEQ · a) higher than in the influent of WWTP with 23 g/(PEQ · a). Specific wet-weather emissions from large sub-catchment with higher traffic and population densities were 1952 g/(ha · a) higher than the emissions from smaller catchment (796 g/[ha · a]) with less population and traffic. The results suggest that wet-weather transport pathways are likely responsible for 2–4 times more MP emissions into receiving waters compared to dry-weather ones due to tire abrasion entered from streets through gullies. However, more investigations of wet-weather MP need to be carried out considering additional catchment attributes and storm event characteristics.
Phosphotyrosine residues are essential functional switches in health and disease. Thus, phosphotyrosine biomimetics are crucial for the development of chemical tools and drug molecules. We report here the discovery and investigation of pentafluorophosphato amino acids as novel phosphotyrosine biomimetics. A mild acidic pentafluorination protocol was developed and two PF5-amino acids were prepared and employed in peptide synthesis. Their structures, reactivities, and fluorine-specific interactions were studied by NMR and IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and in bioactivity assays. The mono-anionic PF5 motif displayed an amphiphilic character binding to hydrophobic surfaces, to water molecules, and to protein-binding sites, exploiting charge and H−F-bonding interactions. The novel motifs bind 25- to 30-fold stronger to the phosphotyrosine binding site of the protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP1B than the best current biomimetics, as rationalized by computational methods, including molecular dynamics simulations.
Modeling of silicon surface topographies induced by single nanosecond laser pulse induced melt-flows
(2019)
Irradiation with a single nanosecond laser pulse in the melting regime can result in a characteristic change in the surface morphology of crystalline silicon. This has been verified experimentally in a variety of situations, where dimple-shaped surface topographies are produced. In this work, the dimple height, depth, and width are modeled following and extending in a more rigorous manner the approach of Wood and Giles [Phys. Rev. B 23, 2923–2942 (1981)] and that of Schwarz-Selinger and coworkers [Phys. Rev. B 64, 155323 (2001)], upon varying the laser irradiation parameters such as peak energy density, pulse duration, and wavelength. This is achieved with numerical simulations of one-dimensional heat flow as input to the analytical fluid-flow equations.
Irradiation with a single spatially Gaussian-shaped nanosecond laser pulse in the melting regime can result in a characteristic annular change in the surface morphology of crystalline silicon. This has been verified experimentally in a variety of situations, where dimple-shaped surface topographies are produced. In a recent work we have investigated the induced changes in the surface topography upon exposure to wavelengths in the visible and near infrared spectral region. Irradiation in the UV requires a more detailed analysis due to the enhanced absorption of the material. In the present analysis, we determine under which conditions our previous model can be used and the corresponding results are presented.
Nanotechnology has enabled the discovery of a multitude of novel materials exhibiting unique physicochemical (PChem) properties compared to their bulk analogues. These properties have led to a rapidly increasing range of commercial applications; this, however, may come at a cost, if an association to long-term health and environmental risks is discovered or even just perceived. Many nanomaterials (NMs) have not yet had their potential adverse biological effects fully assessed, due to costs and time constraints associated with the experimental assessment, frequently involving animals. Here, the available NM libraries are analyzed for their suitability for integration with novel nanoinformatics approaches and for the development of NM specific Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATA) for human and environmental risk assessment, all within the NanoSolveIT cloud-platform. These established and well-characterized NM libraries (e.g. NanoMILE, NanoSolutions, NANoREG, NanoFASE, caLIBRAte, NanoTEST and the Nanomaterial Registry (>2000 NMs)) contain physicochemical characterization data as well as data for several relevant biological endpoints, assessed in part using harmonized Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) methods and test guidelines.
Integration of such extensive NM information sources with the latest nanoinformatics methods will allow NanoSolveIT to model the relationships between NM structure (morphology), properties and their adverse effects and to predict the effects of other NMs for which less data is available. The project specifically addresses the needs of regulatory agencies and industry to effectively and rapidly evaluate the exposure, NM hazard and risk from nanomaterials and nano-enabled products, enabling implementation of computational ‘safe-by-design’ approaches to facilitate NM commercialization.
Spectroscopy in Catalysis
(2020)
Knowledge-based catalyst development is always an interaction between preparation, analysis and catalytic testing. Only if these three factors fit together can success be expected. For the analytic side of this triangle, spectroscopic methods play a crucial role. Whereas with diffraction, scattering and microscopy, decisive insights into the structure and morphology of the catalysts can be obtained, spectroscopy produces new knowledge about the chemical nature of the catalyst, e.g., its bonding and valence states.
Aiming at the overall negative surface charge of bacteria, a new strategy of antibacterial agents based on large polymer-modified graphene oxide (GO) sheets is assessed. The presented flexible, polycationic Sheets match the size and charge density of the Escherichia coli surface charge density (2 × 1014 cm−2). These matching parameters create an unspecific but very strong bacteria adsorber by multivalent, electrostatic attraction.
Their interaction with bacteria is visualized via atomic force and confocal microscopy and shows that they effectively bind and wrap around E. coli cells, and thereby immobilize them. The incubation of Gram-negative and -positive bacteria (E. coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA) with these polycationic sheets leads to the inhibition of proliferation and a reduction of the colony forming bacteria over time.
This new type of antibacterial agent acts in a different mode of Action than classical biocides and could potentially be employed in medicinal, technical, or agriculture applications. The presented microsheets and their unspecific binding of cell interfaces could further be employed as adsorber material for bacterial filtration or immobilization for imaging, analysis, or sensor technologies.
We report on the ferromagnetism of Sn1-xZnxO2 (x < 0.1) hierarchical nanostructures with various morphologies synthesized by a solvothermal route. A room temperature ferromagnetic and paramagnetic response was observed for all compositions, with a maximum in ferromagnetism for x = 0.04. The ferromagnetic behaviour was found to correlate with the presence of zinc on substitutional Sn sites and with a low oxygen vacancy concentration in the samples. The morphology of the nanostructures varied with zinc concentration. The strongest ferromagnetic response was observed in nanostructures with well-formed shapes, having nanoneedles on their surfaces. These nanoneedles consist of (110) and (101) planes, which are understood to be important in stabilizing the ferromagnetic defects. At higher zinc concentration the nanostructures become eroded and agglomerated, a phenomenon accompanied with a strong decrease in their ferromagnetic response. The observed trends are explained in the light of recent computational studies that discuss the relative stability of ferromagnetic defects on various surfaces and the role of oxygen vacancies in degrading ferromagnetism via an increase in free electron concentration.
Cadmium benzylphosphonate Cd(O3PBn)·H2O and its fluorinated derivates Cd(O3PBn-3F)·H2O, Cd(O3PBn-4F)·H2O, and Cd(O3PBn-F5)·H2O were synthesized mechanochemically. The Crystal structures of the compounds were determined based on powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data. The influence of the ligand substitution on the crystal structure of the metal phosphonate was determined. The hydrophobicity as a function of degree of fluorination was investigated using dynamic vapor sorption.
Two divalent manganese aminophosphonates, manganese mono (nitrilotrimethylphosphonate) (MnNP3) and manganese bis N-(carboxymethyl)iminodi(methylphosphonate)) (Mn(NP2AH)2), have been prepared by mechanochemical synthesis and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The structure of the novel compound Mn(NP2AH)2 was determined from PXRD data. MnNP3 as well as Mn(NP2AH)2 exhibits a chain-like structure.
In both cases, the manganese atom is coordinated by six oxygen atoms in a distorted octahedron. The local coordination around Mn was further characterized by extended X-ray absorption fine structure. The synthesis process was followed in situ by synchrotron X-ray diffraction revealing a three-step reaction mechanism. The asprepared manganese(II) phosphonates were calcined on air.
All samples were successfully tested for their suitability as catalyst material in the oxygen evolution reaction.
Ca-, Sr-, and Ba-Based coordination polymers (CPs) were prepared mechanochemically by milling metal-hydroxide samples with anthranilic acid (oABAH). {[Ca(oABA)2(H2O)3]}n consists of one-dimensional polymeric chains that are further connected by a hydrogen-bonding network. {[Sr(oABA)2(H2O)2]·H2O}n is a one-dimensional CP in which water molecules bridge Sr2+ ions and increase the dimensionality by building an extended network. {[Ba(oABA)2(H2O)]}n crystallizes as a two-dimensional CP comprising one bridging water molecule. The cation radii influence the inorganic connectivity and dimensionality of the resulting crystal structures. The crystal structures were refined from powder X-ray diffraction data using the Rietveld method. The local coordination environments were studied via extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements. The compounds were further characterized using comprehensive analytical methods such as elemental analysis, thermal analysis, MAS NMR, imaging, and dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) measurements. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 exhibit small surface areas which decrease further after thermal annealing experiments. All compounds exhibit a phase transformation upon heating, which is only reversible in 3.
A series of Ca-based coordination polymers were prepared mechanochemically by milling Ca(OH)2 with phthalic acid (H2oBDC), isophthalic acid (H2mBDC), and terephthalic acid (H2pBDC). The hydrated compounds [Ca(oBDC)(H2O)], [Ca(mBDC)(H2O)3.4], and [Ca(pBDC)(H2O)3] were prepared for the first time via mechanochemical routes. The refined structures were validated by extended X-ray absorption data. The new dehydrated compound [Ca(oBDC)] (1-H2O), obtained after the thermal post-treatment of 1 in a reversible phase transition process, was determined ab initio based on the powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) data. The materials were thoroughly characterized using elemental analysis, thermal analysis, and spectroscopic methods: magic-angle spinning NMR and attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy. The specific surface areas and sorption properties of the hydrated and dehydrated samples were determined using the isotherms of gas sorption and dynamic vapor sorption measurements.
New Ca- and Sr-based coordination polymers (CPs) were mechanochemically synthesized by milling metal hydroxide samples (M = Ca, Sr) with tetrafluorophthalic acid (H2oBDC-F4) and isophthalic acid (H2mBDC). [Ca(oBDC-F4)(H2O)2] (1) exhibits a small surface area which is slightly increased after removing the crystal water. On the other hand, the hydrated sample of the nonfluorinated [Sr(mBDC)(H2O)3.4] (2) reveals a small BET surface area which remains unchanged even after the release of crystal water via thermal treatment. The new compounds 1 and 2 are similar to their Sr- and Ca-analogs, respectively. These findings are confirmed by thermal analysis, MAS NMR, and ATR-IR measurements, in addition to the Le Bail refinements for the measured powder X-ray data of 1 and 2. Ca- and Sr-CPs based on perfluorinated dicarboxylic systems and their nonfluorinated analogs diverse in structural and chemical properties depending on the geometries of the organic linkers and the presence of fluorine atoms. The fluorinations of organic ligands lead to the formation of fluorinated CPs with higher dimensionalities compared to their nonfluorinated counterparts. Conversely, the thermal stabilities of the latter are higher than those of the fluorinated CPs.
A series of new Ba-based coordination polymers (CPs) were mechanochemically synthesized by milling Ba-hydroxide samples with perfluorinated and fluorine-free benzene-dicarboxylic acids, including tetrafluoroisophthalic acid (H2mBDC-F4), tetrafluorophthalic acid (H2oBDC-F4), isophthalic acid (H2mBDC) and phthalic acid (H2oBDC). The new fluorinated CPs: [Ba(mBDC-F4)$0.5H2O] (1) and [Ba(oBDC-F4)·1.5H2O] (2) are compared to their nonfluorinated counterparts: [Ba(mBDC)·2.5H2O] (3), and [Ba(oBDC)·1H2O] (4). These materials are thoroughly characterized using powder X-ray diffraction. The products obtained by milling are all hydrated but vary in their water contents. Compositions and local structures are investigated by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, MAS NMR and attenuated total reflectioninfrared spectroscopy. These materials exhibit high thermal stabilities but small surface areas that remain unchanged even after thermal treatments.
The novel synthesis route has been developed for hierarchically structured; nanorods and nanosheets of Sb4O5Cl2 from a single precursor, with dimension range between 57–90 nm. X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the monoclinic crystal symmetry in P21/c(14)with structure type Sb4O5Cl2 for both forms; the nanorods and nanosheets. Rietveld refinements and crystallite size investigations of the powder patterns revealed significant enhancement in intensity with subtle variation in the lattice parameters and crystallite size decrease in case of nanosheets in comparison to the nanorods assembly. Through scanning electron microscopy, a composition commensurate to Sb4O5Cl2 at% with averaged dimensions; dia.∼90 nm, l ∼ 2 μm for nanorods and dia.∼50–150 nm for nanosheets got corroborated. Owing to the quantum confinement a band gap widening was observed while moving from bulk to nano regime, i.e. 3.25, 3.31 and 3.34 eV, for bulk, nanosheets, and nanorods, respectively. In the case of nanosheets, the highest value of dielectric constant was observed, i.e. 87, as compared to nanorods and the bulk, i.e. 40 and 35.5, respectively. The nanosheets also showed the highest value of dielectric and tangent loss with an increase in frequency due to the least crystallite size of these nanonetworks. Nanosheets depicted the higher AC conductivity at low frequency due to the alignment of the charges but its value decreases at the higher frequency due to lack of time for charge reorientation. The hopping phenomenon was observed in all three cases with the most prominent one in bulk case at higher frequencies.
CsCoO2, featuring a two-dimensional layered architecture of edge- and vertex-linked CoO4tetrahedra, is subjected to a temperature-driven reversible second-order phase transformation at 100 K, which corresponds to a structuralrelaxation with concurrent tilting and breathing modes of edge-sharing CoO4tetrahedra. In the present investigation, it was found that pressure induces a phase transition, which encompasses a dramatic change in the connectivity ofthe tetrahedra. At 923 K and 2 GPa, beta-CsCoO2 undergoes a first-order phasetransition to a new quenchable high-pressure polymorph,alpha-CsCoO2. It is built up of a three-dimensional cristobalite-type network of vertex-sharing CoO4 tetrahedra. According to a Rietveld refinement of high-resolution powderdiffraction data, the new high-pressure polymorph gamma-CsCoO2 crystallizes in the tetragonal space groupI41/amd:2 (Z= 4) with the lattice constants a= 5.8711 (1) and c= 8.3214 (2) A, corresponding to a shrinkage in volume by 5.7% compared with the ambient-temperature and atmospheric pressure-CsCoO2polymorph.The pressure-induced transition (beta>gamma) is reversible;-CsCoO2 stays metastable under ambient conditions, but transforms back to the-CsCoO2structure upon heating to 573 K. The transformation pathway revealed isremarkable in that it is topotactic, as is demonstrated through a clean displacive transformation track between the two phases that employs the symmetry oftheir common subgroupPb21a(alternative setting of space group No. 29 that matches the conventional-phase cell).
The complex nature of liquid water saturation of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) catalyst layers (CLs) greatly affects the device performance. To investigate this problem, we present a method to quantify the presence of liquid water in a PEFC CL using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). This method leverages the differences in electron densities between the solid catalyst matrix and the liquid water filled pores of the CL under both dry and wet conditions. This approach is validated using ex situ wetting experiments, which aid the study of the transient saturation of a CL in a flow cell configuration in situ. The azimuthally integrated scattering data are fitted using 3D morphology models of the CL under dry conditions. Different wetting scenarios are realized in silico, and the corresponding SAXS data are numerically simulated by a direct 3D Fourier transformation. The simulated SAXS profiles of the different wetting scenarios are used to interpret the measured SAXS data which allows the derivation of the most probable wetting mechanism within a flow cell electrode.
The aim of this study is to develop nanometer-thin epoxy-based films on aluminium alloy AA2024-T3 as a model coating system for high resolution corrosion studies. Spin coating was used for the layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of poly-(ethylenimine) (PEI) and poly([o-cresyl glycidyl ether]-co-formaldehyde) (CNER) bilayers. The film chemistry and the cross-linking process were characterized by means of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
Ellipsometric data confirmed the linear increase of film thickness. The potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicate the improvement of the film barrier properties with increasing film thickness. Mapping of the topography and the volta potential was performed by means of scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM).
The results indicate the presence of a homogeneous film structure, while the intermetallic phases can still be identified below the coating. The SKPFM Analysis confirmed that the model films are suitable for investigation of corrosion processes at the coating/metal interface.
The application of characterization methods with high spatial resolution to the analysis of buried coating/metal interfaces requires the design and use of model systems. Herein, an epoxy-like thin film is used as a model coating resembling the epoxy-based coatings and adhesives widely used in technical applications. Spin coating is used for the deposition of a 30 nm-thin bilayer (BL) composed of poly-(ethylenimine) (PEI) and poly[(o-cresyl glycidyl ether)-co-formaldehyde] (CNER). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results confirm that the exposure of coated AA2024-T3 (AA) samples to the corrosive electrolyte solution does not cause the degradation of the polymer layer. In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies are performed to monitor local corrosion processes at the buried interface of the epoxy-like film and the AA2024-T3 aluminum alloy surface in an aqueous electrolyte solution. Hydrogen evolution due to the reduction of water as the cathodic corrosion reaction leads to local blister formation. Based on the results of the complementary energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis performed at the same region of interest, most of the hydrogen evolved originates at the vicinity of Mg-containing intermetallic particles.
The occurrence of microplastic (MP) in food products, such as beverages in plastic bottles, is of high public concern. Existing analytical methods focus on the determination of particle numbers, requiring elaborate sampling tools, laboratory infrastructure and generally time-consuming imaging detection methods. A comprehensive routine analysis of MP in food products is still not possible. In the present work, we present the development of a smart filter crucible as sampling and detection tool. After filtration and drying of the filtered-off solids, a direct determination of the MP mass content from the crucible sample can be done by thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectroscopy (TED-GC/MS). The new filter crucible allows a filtration of MP down to particle sizes of 5 µm. We determined MP contents below 0.01 µg/L up to 2 µg/L, depending on beverages bottle type. This may be directly related to the bottle type, especially the quality of the plastic material of the screw cap. Dependent on the plastic material, particle formation increases due to opening and closing operations during the use phase. However, we have also found that some individual determinations of samples were subjected to high errors due to random events. A conclusive quantitative evaluation of the products is therefore not possible at present.
Zur Ermittlung von Mikroplastik-Gehalten in verschiedenen Umweltmatrices ist ein schnelles Detektionsverfahren für die Routineanalytik notwendig. Ein solches Verfahren wird hier in Form der ThermoExtraktion/Desorption-GasChromatographie/ MassenSpektroskopie (TED-GC/MS) vorgestellt. Neben grundlegenden verfahrensspezifischen Erläuterungen zur Identifizierung und Quantifizierung von Mikroplastik werden auch exemplarische Beispiele aus unterschiedlichen Umweltkompartimenten und Produkten dargestellt. Neu vorgestellt wird ein neues Verfahren zur Analytik von Flaschenwasser. Dazu wurde ein Messfiltertiegel entwickelt, der besonders für Proben mit geringen Gehalten an abfiltrierbaren Stoffen geeignet ist
In recent years, thermoextraction/desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) has been developed as a rapid detection method for the determination of microplastics (MP) mass contents in numerous environmentally relevant matrices and, in particular, for the measurement of polymers in water samples without time-consuming sample preparation. The TED-GC/MS method was applied to investigate a typical European municipal wastewater system for possible MP masses. Such investigations are important in view of the recent revision of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. Four different representative sampling sites were selected: greywater (domestic wastewater without toilet), combined sewer, and influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). All samples were collected by fractional filtration. Filtration was carried out over mesh sizes of 500, 100, 50, and in some cases, 5 µm. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) were detected in all samples, with the PE fraction dominating in all cases. Styrene-butadiene rubber which serves as an indication of tire abrasion, was only found in the influent of the WWTP. The highest MP mass contents were found in the combined sewer, so MP can become a source of pollution during heavy rain events when the capacity limits of the effluent are reached, and the polluted effluent is released uncontrolled into the environment. Based on the studies, MP retention from the WWTP could be estimated to be approximately 96%. Few trends in polymer type or mass contents were detected within the different fractions of the samples or when comparing samples to each other.
Zielsetzung des vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung geförderten Projektes RUSEKU war es, repräsentative Untersuchungsstrategien für die Detektion von Mikroplastik mittels TED GC/MS in wässerigen Medien zu ermitteln. Dabei wurden verschiedene Probenahmekonzepte und – verfahren für unterschiedliche Fallgestaltungen und Fragestellungen untersucht, sowie neue Filtersysteme entwickelt. Bei der Detektion der Partikel lag der Fokus auf der Anwendung und Weiterentwicklung der ThermoExtraktion/Desorption-Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie (TED-GC/MS) zur Bestimmung von Mikroplastikgehalten. Anwendung fanden die Methoden bei der Beprobung von Flaschenwasser, Waschmaschinenabläufen, dem urbanen Abwassersystem der Stadt Kaiserslautern, sowie in Oberflächengewässer.
Currently, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) is regarded as the main culprit of microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), mainly due to the low reported corrosion rates of other microorganisms. For example, the highest reported corrosion rate for methanogens is 0.065 mm/yr. However, by investigating methanogen-induced microbiologically influenced corrosion (Mi-MIC) using an in-house developed versatile multiport flow test column, extremely high corrosion rates were observed. We analyzed a large set of carbon steel beads, which were sectionally embedded into the test columns as substrates for iron-utilizing methanogen Methanobacterium IM1. After 14 days of operation using glass beads as fillers for section separation, the highest average corrosion rate of Methanobacterium IM1 was 0.2 mm/yr, which doubled that of Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5 and Desulfovibrio alaskensis 16109 investigated at the same conditions. At the most corroded region, nearly 80% of the beads lost 1% of their initial weight (fast-corrosion), resulting in an average corrosion rate of 0.2 mm/yr for Methanobacterium IM1-treated columns. When sand was used as filler material to mimic sediment conditions, average corrosion rates for Methanobacterium IM1 increased to 0.3 mm/yr (maximum 0.52 mm/yr) with over 83% of the beads having corrosion rates above 0.3 mm/yr. Scanning electron images of metal coupons extracted from the column showed methanogenic cells were clustered close to the metal surface. Methanobacterium IM1 is a hydrogenotrophic methanogen with higher affinity to metal than H2. Unlike SRB, Methanobacterium IM1 is not restricted to the availability of sulfate concentration in the environment. Thus, the use of the multiport flow column provided a new insight on the corrosion potential of methanogens, particularly in dynamic conditions, that offers new opportunities for monitoring and development of mitigation strategies. Overall, this study shows under certain conditions methanogenic archaea can cause higher corrosion than SRB, specific quantifications, i.e., maximum, average, and minimum corrosion rates can be determined, and that spatial statistical evaluations of MIC can be carried out.
Supramolecular copolymerization driven by integrative self-sorting of hydrogen-bonded rosettes
(2020)
Molecular recognition to preorganize noncovalently polymerizable supramolecular complexes is a characteristic process of natural supramolecular polymers, and such recognition processes allow for dynamic self-alteration, yielding complex polymer systems with extraordinarily high efficiency in their targeted function. We herein show an example of such molecular recognition-controlled kinetic assembly/disassembly processes within artificial supramolecular polymer systems using six-membered hydrogen-bonded supramolecular complexes (rosettes). Electron-rich and poor monomers are prepared that kinetically coassemble through a temperature-controlled protocol into amorphous coaggregates comprising a diverse mixture of rosettes. Over days, the electrostatic interaction between two monomers induces an integrative self-sorting of rosettes. While the electron-rich monomer inherently forms toroidal homopolymers, the additional electrostatic interaction that can also guide rosette association allows helicoidal growth of supramolecular copolymers that are comprised of an alternating array of two monomers. Upon heating, the helicoidal copolymers undergo a catastrophic transition into amorphous coaggregates via entropy-driven randomization of the monomers in the rosette.
Highly anharmonic thermal vibrations may serve as a source of structural instabilities resulting in phase transitions, chemical reactions and even the mechanical disintegration of a material. Ab initio calculations model thermal motion within a harmonic or sometimes quasi-harmonic approximation and must be complimented by experimental data on temperature-dependent vibrational frequencies. Here multi-temperature atomic displacement parameters (ADPs), derived from a single-crystal synchrotron diffraction experiment, are used to characterize low-frequency lattice vibrations in the alpha-FOX-7 layered structure. It is shown that despite the limited quality of the data, the extracted frequencies are reasonably close to those derived from inelastic scattering, Raman measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Vibrational anharmonicity is parameterized by the Grüneisen parameters, which are found to be very different for in-layer and out-of-layer vibrations.
The oxides, hydroxides, and oxo-hydroxides of iron belong to the most abundant materials on earth. They also feature a wide range of practical applications. In many environments, they can undergo facile phase transformations and crystallization processes.
Water appears to play a critical role in many of these processes. Despite numerous attempts, the role of water has not been fully revealed yet. We present a new approach to study the influence of water in the crystallization and phase transformations of iron oxides.
The approach employs model-type iron oxide films that comprise a defined homogeneous nanostructure. The films are exposed to air containing different amounts of water reaching up to pressures of 10 bar. Ex situ analysis via scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, and X-ray diffraction is combined with operando near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to follow water-induced changes in hematite nd ferrihydrite. Water proves to be critical for the nucleation of ematite domains in ferrihydrite, the resulting crystallite orientation, and the underlying crystallization mechanism.
Iron-based catalysts are employed in CO2-FTS due to their ability to convert CO2 into CO in a first step and their selectivity towards higher hydrocarbons in a second CO hydrogenation step. According to the literature, iron carbides represent the active phase for hydrocarbon formation and are claimed to emerge in the presence of CO. We propose nanostructured FeOx films as model systems to assess information about the complex phase transformations during CO2-FTS. Mesoporous hematite, ferrihydrite, maghemite, maghemite/magnetite films were exposed to CO2-FTS atmospheres at 20 bar and 300°C. Up to three distinct phases were observed depending on the timeon-stream (TOS): a sintered maghemite/magnetite phase, a carbidic core-shell structure, and a low-crystalline, needle-type oxide phase. Our findings indicate that the formation of an intermediary maghemite/magnetite phase, predominant after short TOS (30 h), precedes the evolution of the carbide phase.
Yet, even after prolonged TOS (185 h), no full conversion into a bulk carbide is observed.
A recent approach to measure electron radiation doses in the kGy range is the use of phosphors with an irradiation dose-dependent luminescence decay time. However, the applicability of the previously investigated material NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+ is limited as it shows pronounced fading. Therefore, in this work, a modified SrF2 synthesis is presented that results in SrF2 nanoparticles codoped with Yb and either Er, Hm, or Tm. To assess their suitability as dosimeter material, dose response, as well as its degree of fading over 50 up to 140 days after irradiation were measured. Fading rates as small as 5% in SrF2:Er,Yb and 4% in SrF2:Ho,Yb were derived, which are comparable to established dosimeter materials. A combination of spectroscopy, diffraction and DFT calculations was used to elucidate the effect of irradiation, pointing towards the formation of a secondary phase of Yb2+ that we predict could be Yb2OF2. This irreversible formation of a secondary phase is considered to be the explanation for the low fading behavior in SrF2-based phosphors compared to NaYF4:Yb, Er, a highly attractive feature for electron beam dosimetry.
A novel cop olyme r based on supramolecular motif2,6-diaminopyridin e and water-soluble acrylamide, poly[N-(6-ace tamidopyridin-2-yl) acrylamide-co-acrylamide], was synthe-size d via rev ersible addi tion–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)polymerization with various monomer compositions. The thermo-respon sive behavior of the copolymers was studied by turbidime-try and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The obtained copolymersshowed an upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-typ e phasetransition behavior in water and electrolyte solution. The phasetransition temperature was found to increase with decreasingam ount of acrylamide in the copolymer and increasing concentra-tion of the solution. Furth ermore, the phase transition temperatureva ried in aqueous solutions of electrolytes according to the naturean d concentration of the electrolyte in accordance with theHoffmeister series. A dramatic solvent isotope effect on thetransition temperature was o bserved in this study, as the transitiontemperature was almost 10–12C higher in D2OthaninH2Oatthesame concentration and acrylamide co mposition. The size of theaggregates below the transition temperature was larger in D2Ocompared to that in H2O that can be explained by deuterium iso-tope effect. The thermoresponsive behavior of the copolymers wasalso investigated in different cell medium and found to be exhibitedUCST-type phase transition behavior in different cell medium.Such behavior of the copo lyme rs can be useful in many a pplica-tions including biomedical, microfluidics, optical materials, and indrug delivery.
Combining experiments and all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, we study the conformational behavior of polyacrylamide (PAM) in aqueous alcohol mixtures over a wide range of temperatures. This study Shows that even when the microscopic interaction is dictated by hydrogen bonding, unlike its counterparts that present a lower critical solution temperature (LCST), PAM shows a counterintuitive tunable upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type phase transition in water/alcohol mixtures that was not reported before. The Phase transition temperature was found to be tunable between 4 and 60 1C by the type and concentration of alcohol in the mixture as well as by the solution concentration and molecular weight of the polymer. In addition, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed a UCST-like behaviour of the PAM in aqueous alcoholic solutions.
Additionally, it was observed that the PAM is more swollen in pure alcohol solutions than in 80% alcoholic solutions due to y-like behaviour. Additionally, in the globular state, the size of the aggregates was found to increase with increasing solvent hydrophobicity and polymer concentration of the solutions. Above ist Phase transition temperature, PAM might be present as individual polymer chains in the coil state (r10 nm). As PAM is a widespread polymer in many biomedical applications (gel electrophoresis, etc.), this finding could be of high relevance for many more practical applications in high performance pharmaceuticals and/or sensors.
The formation mechanisms of Pd-Os and Pt-Os alloys in the course of thermal decomposition of iso-formular and isostructural complex salts [Pd(NH3)4][OsCl6] and [Pt(NH3)4][OsCl6] in an inert atmosphere have been studied by in-situ QXAFS, XPS and PXRD. The mechanisms of thermal decomposition of the precursors are found to differ from each other, but the detected intermediate products show no significant effect on the local atomic structure around Os, Pt/Pd in their final products. A crystalline beta-trans-[Pd(NH3)2Cl2] intermediate of the first step of thermal decomposition of [Pd(NH3)4][OsCl6] makes the anion [OsCl6]2− transform differently than that of [Pt(NH3)4][OsCl6]. It transforms into a short-lived [Os(NH3)xCl6-x] (2≤x≤4), and then to a distorted octahedron [OsCl6]2−, similar to the high-temperature modification of OsCl4. In case of [Pt(NH3)4][OsCl6], the intermediate [Os(NH3)2Cl4] modifies into four chlorine coordinated Os,{OsCl4}0/1−. Consecutive reduction of Pd(II)/Pt(II) and Os(IV) to the metals defines the homophilic atomic order with the fcc-Pd covered by a random Pd-Os alloy layer and Os on the surface, that is supported by High-Resolution Transmission Electron Mictroscopy (HRTEM) and Scanning TEM (STEM) energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) data, and the diffusion direction going from the surface (hcp-Os) to bulk (fcc-Pd/Pt). As a result, the heterogeneous alloys are formed with a very similar electronic and local atomic structure of Os and Pd/Pt. Upon alloying, the Os 5d5/2,3/2 and Pt 5d5/2,3/2 levels are depleted in the Pt-Os alloys compared to dispersed hcp-Os, fcc-Pt, and Pt foil. This is an unusual behaviour for Os and Pt, calling into question the versatility of d-band theory in bimetallic Os-alloys. The spin-orbit effect at the Os site has been found for both the Pd-Os and Pt-Os alloys, but it is about 4 times less compared to the complex salts. The obtained values for the complex compounds are comparable with those for the iridates, proposed as materials with spin-orbit-induced properties.
Novel agar-based test electrolytes are used to perform electrochemical corrosion investigations on ZnFe and ZnNi binary as well as ZnFeMo ternary zinc coatings. The objectives of the electrochemical investigations include the characterization of the corrosion behavior, the description of the protective effect of the coatings as well as the investigation of the layer formation and degradation under artificial aging. ZnFe and ZnFeMo coatings are applied with varying iron content as well as an additional passivation layer, respectively, to study the effect on corrosion resistance. The results show that the protective effect of the coatings is not negatively influenced by different iron contents or the addition of molybdenum. Additional passivation of the ZnFe-containing coatings by means of a passivating agent leads to a significant improvement in the protective effect. Artificial aging leads to slight degradation of the additional passivation layer whereas coatings without post-treatment enhance their protective effect by the formation of corrosion product layers.
For the first time, lonsdaleite-rich impact diamonds from one of the largest Popigai impact crater (Northern Siberia) with a high concentration of structural defects are investigated under hydrostatic compression up to 25 GPa. It is found that, depending on the nature of a sample, the bulk modulus for lonsdaleite experimentally obtained by X-ray diffraction in diamond-anvil cells is systematically lower and equal to 93.3−100.5% of the average values of the bulk moduli of a diamond matrix. Density functional theory calculations reveal possible coexistence of a number of diamond/lonsdaleite and twin diamond biphases. Among the different mutual configurations, separate inclusions of one lonsdaleite (001) plane per four diamond (111) demonstrate the lowest energy per carbon atom, suggesting a favorable formation of single-layer lonsdaleite (001) fragments inserted in the diamond matrix. Calculated formation energies and experimental diamond (311) and lonsdaleite (331) powder X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that all biphases could be formed
under high-temperature, high-pressure conditions. Following the equation of states, the bulk modulus of the diamond (111)/lonsdaleite (001) biphase is the largest one among all bulk moduli, including pristine diamond and lonsdaleite.
The international ISO Standard 20579‐4, dealing with the history and preparation of nano‐objects for surface analysis, has been developed to help address some of the replication and reproducibility issues caused by the fundamental nature of nanoobjects.
Although all types of samples requiring surface analysis need thoughtful preparation, nano‐objects, for which many properties are controlled by their surfaces, present additional challenges in order to avoid variations and artefacts due to the handling and preparation of materials prior to analysis. This international standard is part of a series of standards related to preparation of samples for surface chemical analysis. Parts 1 and 2 of ISO Standard series 20579 address general issues that apply to many samples. Part 3, which is still in development, will focus on biomaterials. Part 4 specifically considers issues that arise due to the inherent nature of nano‐objects.
Because of sensitivity to their environment, the standard indicates the minimum Information that needs to be reported about the handling and preparation of nano‐objects prior to surface analysis. This information should become part of sample provenance information that helps assure the reliability and usefulness of data obtained from surface‐analysis in the context of the synthesis, processing, and analysis history of a batch of material. Application of this standard can help address reproducibility and traceability issues associated with synthesis, processing, and characterization of nano‐objects in research and commercial applications.
The large-scale mechanochemical reduction of binary sulfides chalcocite (Cu2S) and covellite (CuS) by elemental iron was investigated in this work. The reduction of Cu2S was almost complete after 360 min of milling, whereas in the case of CuS, a significant amount of non-reacted elemental iron could still be identified after 480 min. Upon application of more effective laboratory-scale planetary ball milling, it was possible to reach almost complete reduction of CuS. Longer milling leads to the formation of ternary sulfides and oxidation product, namely cuprospinel CuFe2O4. The rate constant calculated from the magnetometry measurements using a diffusion model for Cu2S and CuS reduction by iron in a large-scale mill is 0.056 min−0.5 and 0.037 min−0.5, respectively, whereas for the CuS reduction in a laboratory-scale mill, it is 0.1477 min−1. The nanocrystalline character of the samples was confirmed by TEM and XRD, as the produced Cu exhibited sizes up to 16 nm in all cases. The process can be easily scaled up and thus copper can be obtained much easier from refractory minerals than in traditional metallurgical approaches.
A rigid aromatic phosphorus-containing hyperbranched flame retardant structure is synthesized from 10-(2,5 dihydroxyphenyl)-10H-9-oxa-
10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO-HQ), tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)phosphine oxide (THPPO), and 1,4-terephthaloyl chloride (TPC). The resulting poly-(DOPO-HQ/THPPO-terephthalate) (PDTT) is implemented as a flame retardant into an epoxy resin (EP) at a 10 wt% loading. The effects on EP are compared with those of the monomer DOPO-HQ and triphenylphosphine oxide (OPPh3) as low molar mass flame retardants. The glass transition temperature, thermal decomposition, flammability (reaction to small flame), and burning behavior of the thermosets are investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry, UL 94-burning chamber testing, and cone calorimeter measurements.
Although P-contents are low at only 0.6 wt%, the study aims not at attaining V-0, but at presenting a proof of principle: Epoxy resinswith PDTT show promising fire performance, exhibiting a 25% reduction in total heat evolved (THE), a 30% reduction in peak heat release rate (PHRR) due to flame inhibition (21% reduction in effective heat of combustion (EHC)), and an increase in Tg at the same time. This study indicates that rigid aromatic hyperbranched polymeric structures offer a promising route toward multifunctional flame retardancy.
The structure and composition of polycarbonate polydimethylsiloxane copolymer (PC-co-PDMS) was investigated by applying various analytical approaches including chromatographic separation methods, spectrometric, and spectroscopic detection techniques. In particular, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and liquid adsorption chromatography operating at different conditions (e.g. using gradient solvent systems) were used to achieve separations according to molar mass and functionality distribution. The coupling of both techniques resulted in fingerprint two-dimensional plots, which could be used to easily compare different copolymer batches. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry was applied for structural investigations. The different ionization behavior of both comonomers, however, strongly limited the applicability of this technique. In contrast to that, Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy could be used to quantify the amount of PDMS in the copolymer at different points in the chromatogram. The resulting methodology was capable of distinguishing PC-co-PDMS copolymer from PC homopolymer chains present in the material.
One-pot covalent functionalization of 2D black phosphorus by anionic ring opening polymerization
(2022)
In this work, a one-pot approach for the covalent functionalization of few-layer black phosphorus (BP) by anionic ring opening polymerization of glycidol to obtain multifunctional BP-polyglycerol (BP-PG) with high amphiphilicity for near-infrared-responsive drug delivery and biocompatibility is reported. Straightforward synthesis in combination with exceptional biological and physicochemical properties designates functionalized BP-PG as a promising candidate for a broad range of biomedical applications.
A sedimented freshwater suspended organic matter fortified with particles of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was employed in an interlaboratory comparison of thermoanalytical methods for microplastics identification and quantification. Three laboratories performed pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), three others provided results using thermal extraction desorption followed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS). One participant performed thermogravimetry-infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR) and two participants used thermogravimetry coupled to mass spectrometry (TGA-MS). Further participants used differential scanning microscopy (DSC), a procedure based on micro combustion calorimetry (MCC) and a procedure based on elemental analysis.
Each participant employed a different combination of sample treatment, calibration and instrumental Settings for polymer identification and quantification. Though there is obviously room for improvements regarding the between-laboratory reproducibility and the harmonization of procedures it was seen that the participants Performing Py-GC-MS, TED-GC-MS, and TGA-FTIR were able to correctly identify all polymers and to report reasonable quantification results in the investigated concentration range (PE: 20.0 μg/mg, PP: 5.70 μg/mg; PS: 2.20 μg/mg, PET: 18.0 μg/mg). Although for the other methods limitations exists regarding the detection of specific polymers, they showed potential as alternative approaches for polymer quantification in solid environmental matrices.
Thermo-Desorption Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) was used to investigate the thermal degradation of two different polyurethanes (PU). PU samples were heated at different heating rates and the desorbed products were collected in a cold injection system and thereafter submitted to GC-MS. Prospects and limitations of the detection and quantification of semi-volatile degradation products were investigated. A temperature dependent PU depolymerization was
found at temperatures above 200 °C proved by an increasing release of 1,4-butanediol and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) representing the main building blocks of both polymers. Their release was monitored quantitatively based on external calibration with authentic compounds. Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) of the residues obtained after thermodesorption confirmed the initial competitive degradation mechanism indicating an equilibrium of crosslinking and depolymerization as previously suggested. Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry of SEC fractions of thermally degraded PUs provided additional hints on degradation mechanism.
Using solid catalysts in disulfide-based dynamic combinatorial solution- and mechano-chemistry
(2022)
We here show for the first time that solid amines can act as catalysts for disulfide-based dynamic combinatorial chemistry by ball mill grinding. The mechanochemical Equilibrium for the two disulfide reactions studied is reached within one to three hours using ten different amine catalysts. This contrasts with the weeks to months to achieve solution equilibrium for most solid amine catalysts at 2%M at 2mM concentration in a suitable solvent. The final mechanochemical equilibrium is independent of the catalyst used, but varies with other ball mill grinding factors such as the presence of traces of solvent. The different efficiencies of the amines tested are discussed.
We demonstrate here using a disulfide system the first example of reversible, selective, and quantitative transformation between three crystalline polymorphs by ball mill grinding. This includes the discovery of a previously unknown polymorph. Each polymorph is reproducibly obtained under well-defined neat or liquid-assisted grinding conditions, revealing subtle control over the apparent thermodynamic stability. We discovered that the presence of a contaminant as low as 1.5% mol mol−1 acting as a template is required to enable all these three polymorph transformations. The relative stabilities of the polymorphs are determined by the sizes of the nanocrystals produced under different conditions and by surface interactions with small amounts of added solvent. For the first time, we show evidence that each of the three polymorphs is obtained with a unique and reproducible crystalline size. This mechanochemical approach gives access to bulk quantities of metastable polymorphs that are inaccessible through recrystallisation.
We here explore how ball-mill-grinding frequency affects the kinetics of a disulfide exchange reaction. Our kinetic data show that the reaction progress is similar at all the frequencies studied (15–30 Hz), including a significant induction time before the nucleation and growth process starts. This indicates that to start the reaction an initial energy accumulation is necessary. Other than mixing, the energy supplied by the mechanical treatment has two effects: (i) reducing the crystal size and (ii) creating defects in the structure. The crystal-breaking process is likely to be dominant at first becoming less important later in the process when the energy supplied is stored at the molecular level as local crystal defects. This accumulation is taken here to be the rate-determining step. We suggest that the local defects accumulate preferentially at or near the crystal surface. Since the total area increases exponentially when the crystal size is reduced by the crystal-breaking process, this can further explain the exponential dependence of the onset time on the milling frequency.
Clustering of magnetic nanoparticles can drastically change their collective magnetic properties, which in turn may influence their performance in technological or biomedical applications. Here, we investigate a commercial colloidal dispersion (FeraSpinTMR), which contains dense clusters of iron oxide cores (mean size around 9 nm according to neutron diffraction) with varying cluster size (about 18–56 nm according to small angle x-ray diffraction), and its individual size fractions (FeraSpinTMXS, S, M, L, XL, XXL). The magnetic properties of the colloids were characterized by isothermal magnetization, as well as frequency-dependent optomagnetic and AC susceptibility measurements. From these measurements we derive the underlying moment and Relaxation frequency distributions, respectively. Analysis of the distributions shows that the clustering of the initially superparamagnetic cores leads to remanent magnetic moments within the large clusters. At frequencies below 105 rad s−1, the relaxation of the clusters is dominated by Brownian (rotation) relaxation. At higher frequencies, where Brownian relaxation is inhibited due to viscous friction, the clusters still show an appreciable magnetic relaxation due to internal moment relaxation within the clusters. As a result of the internal moment relaxation, the colloids with the large clusters (FSL, XL, XXL) excel in magnetic hyperthermia experiments.
As part of the development of a library of accurate and efficient methods for measurement of nanoparticle properties, we develop and optimize a method for the efficient analysis of nanoparticle size distribution from suspensions via microprinting and digital analysis of electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) images, with the ultimate aim of automated quantitative concentration analysis (calculated from drop volume). A series of different nanoparticle suspensions (gold, latex, and SiO2 in varying sizes and concentrations) were printed onto TEM grids in a 4 x 4 array in the concentration range 7x10^8 to 1x10^11 nanoparticles/mL and imaged with SEM. Concentrations and printing conditions (temperature, relative humidity) were varied in order to minimize the coffee-ring effect.
Nanoparticles have gained increasing attention in recent years due to their potential and application in different fields including medicine, cosmetics, chemistry, and their potential to enable advanced materials. To effectively understand and regulate the physico-chemical properties and potential adverse effects of nanoparticles, validated measurement procedures for the various properties of nanoparticles need to be developed. While procedures for measuring nanoparticle size and size Distribution are already established, standardized methods for analysis of their surface chemistry are not yet in place, although the influence of the surface chemistry on nanoparticle properties is undisputed. In particular, storage and preparation of nanoparticles for surface analysis strongly influences the analytical results from various methods, and in order to obtain consistent results, sample preparation must be both optimized and standardized. In this contribution, we present, in detail, some standard procedures for preparing nanoparticles for surface analytics. In principle, nanoparticles can be deposited on a suitable substrate from suspension or as a powder. Silicon (Si) Wafers are commonly used as substrate, however, their cleaning is critical to the process. For sample preparation from suspension, we will discuss drop-casting and spin-coating, where not only the cleanliness of the substrate and purity of the suspension but also its concentration play important roles for the success of the preparation methodology.
For nanoparticles with sensitive ligand shells or coatings, deposition as powders is more suitable, although this method requires particular care in fixing the sample.
Due to the extremely high specific surface area of nanoparticles and corresponding potential for adsorption, the results of surface analysis can be highly dependent on the history of the particles, particularly regarding sample preparation and storage. The sample preparation method has, therefore, the potential to have a significant influence on the results. This report describes an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) with the aim of assessing which sample preparation methods for ToF-SIMS analysis of nanoparticles provided the most intra- and interlaboratory consistency and the least amount of sample contamination. The BAM reference material BAM-P110 (TiO2 nanoparticles with a mean Feret diameter of 19 nm) was used as a sample representing typical nanoparticles. A total of 11 participants returned ToF-SIMS data,in positive and (optionally) negative polarity, using sample preparation methods of “stick-and-go” as well as optionally “drop-dry” and “spin-coat.” The results showed that the largest sources of variation within the entire data set were caused by adventitious hydrocarbon contamination or insufficient sample coverage, with the spin-coating protocol applied in this ILC showing a tendency toward insufficient sample coverage; the sample preparation method or the participant had a lesser influence on results.
The lattice enthalpies and monotropic relationship of two dehydroepiandrosterone (DEHA) polymorphs (forms I and II) were evaluated through a combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), isothermal solution microcalorimetry, and drop-sublimation Calvet microcalorimetry experiments. The standard molar enthalpy of transition between both forms was determined as ΔtrsHom (II→I, 298.15 K) = - 0.90 ± 0.07 kJ mol-1 and ΔtrsHom (II→I, 417.8 K) = - 1.7 ± 1.0 kJ mol- 1, from measurements of standard molar enthalpies of solution in dimethyl sulfoxide and enthalpies of fusion, respectively. Drop-sublimation Calvet microcalorimetry experiments on form I led to ΔsubHom (cr I, 298.15 K) = 132.0±3.3 kJ mol - 1. This result, when combined with the more precise ΔtrsHom (II→I) value obtained by solution calorimetry, afforded ΔsubHom (cr II, 298.15 K) = 131.1±3.3 kJ mol - 1. The overall data indicate that on enthalpic grounds form I is more stable than form II from 298.15 K up to fusion. This conclusion, and the fact that DSC experiments indicated that form I has also a considerably higher temperature fusion, namely, Tfus(cr I)= 422.5±0.2 K and Tfus(cr II) = 413.1±0.2 K, suggest that the two polymorphs are monotropically related.
Next-generation thermal management requires the development of low lattice thermal conductivity materials, as observed in ionic conductors. For example, thermoelectric efficiency is increased when thermal conductivity is decreased. Detrimentally, high ionic conductivity leads to thermoelectric device degradation. Battery safety and design also require an understanding of thermal transport in ionic conductors. Ion mobility, structural complexity, and anharmonicity have been used to explain the thermal transport properties of ionic conductors. However, thermal and ionic transport are rarely discussed in direct comparison. Herein, the ionic conductivity of Ag+ argyrodites is found to change by orders of magnitude without altering the thermal conductivity. Thermal conductivity measurements and two-channel lattice dynamics modeling reveal that the majority of Ag+ vibrations have a non-propagating diffuson-like character, similar to amorphous materials. It is found that high ionic mobility is not a requirement for diffuson-mediated transport. Instead, the same bonding and structural traits that can lead to fast ionic conduction also lead to diffuson-mediated transport. Bridging the fields of solid-state ionics and thermal transport, it is proposed that a vibrational perspective can lead to new design strategies for functional ionic conducting materials. As a first step, the authors relate the so-called Meyer-Neldel behavior in ionic conductors to phonon occupations.
Clays are crucial mineral phases in Earth’s weathering engine, but we do not know how they form in surface environments under (near-)ambient pressures and temperatures. Most synthesis routes, attempting to give insights into the plausible mechanisms, rely on hydrothermal conditions, yet many geological studies showed that clays may actually form at moderate temperatures (<100 °C) in most terrestrial settings. Here, we combined high-energy X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to derive the mechanistic pathways of the low-temperature (25–95 °C) crystallization of a synthetic Mg-clay, saponite. Our results reveal that saponite crystallizes via a two stage process: (1) a rapid (several minutes) coprecipitation where ∼20% of the available magnesium becomes incorporated into an aluminosilicate network, followed by (2) a much slower crystallization mechanism (several hours to days) where the remaining magnesium becomes gradually incorporated into the growing saponite sheet structure.
Equipping ZIF particles with a polyelectrolyte membrane provides functional groups at their interface, enabling further conjugations necessary for applications such as targeted drug delivery. Previous approaches to coat ZIF particles with polyelectrolytes led to surface corrosion of the template material. This work overcomes previous limitations by performing a Layer-by-Layer (LbL) polyelectrolyte coating onto ZIF-8 and ZIF-67 particles in nonaqueous environment. Using the 2-methylimidazolium salt of polystyrensulfonic acid instead of the acid itself and polyethyleneimine in methanol led to intact ZIF particles after polyelectrolyte coating. This was verified by electron microscopy. Further, zetapotential and atomic force microscopy measurements confirmed a continuous polyelectrolyte multilayer built up. The here reported adaption to the well-studied (LbL) polyelectrolyte selfassembly process provides a facile method to equip ZIF particles with a nanometer thin polyelectrolyte multilayer membrane.
While noncovalent interactions between graphene derivatives and biosystems are extensively studied, less knowledge about their covalent multivalent interactions at biointerfaces is available. Due to the affinity of boronic acids towards cis-diol bearing biosystems, graphene sheets with this functionality were synthesized and their covalent interactions with the bacteria and nematode were investigated. As expected, graphene platforms with boronic acid functionality were able to wrap bacteria and destroy it in a short time. Surprisingly, body of nematodes was ruptured and their viability decreased to 30% after 24 h incubation with the functionalized graphene sheets. Because of their antibacterial and antiparasitic activities as well as their ability for wound dressing, graphene platforms with the boronic acid functionality were further investigated for diabetic wound healing. In vivo experiments showed that graphene platforms are more efficient than the commercially available drug, phenytoin, and restore both infected and non-infected diabetic wounds in ten days. Taking advantage of their straightforward synthesis, strong interactions with different biosystems as well as their ability to heal diabetic wounds, the boronic Acid functionalized graphene sheets are promising candidates for a broad range of future biomedical applications.
Inhibition of respiratory viruses is one of the most urgent topics as underlined by different pandemics in the last two decades. This impels the development of new materials for binding and incapacitation of the viruses. In this work, we have demonstrated that an optimal deployment of influenza A virus (IAV) targeting ligand sialic acid (SA) on a flexible 2D platform enables its binding and wrapping around IAV particles. A series of 2D sialylated platforms consisting graphene and polyglycerol are prepared with different degrees of SA functionalization around 10%, 30%, and 90% named as G-PG-SAL, G-PG-SAM, and G-PG-SAH, respectively. The cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) analysis has proved wrapping of IAV particles by G-PG-SAM.
A confocal-based colocalization assay established for these materials has offered the comparison of binding potential of sialylated and non-sialylated nanoplatforms for IAV. With this method, we have estimated the binding potential of the G-PG-SAM and G-PG-SAH sheets for IAV particles around 50 and 20 times higher than the control sheets, respectively, whereas the low functionalized G-PG-SAL have not shown any significant colocalization value.
Moreover, optimized G-PG-SAM exhibits high potency to block IAV from
binding with the MDCK cells.
Multidrug solids have a potential use to efficiently treat and control a superfluity of medical conditions.
To address the current drawbacks of drug development in R&D, it was targeted to achieve new pharmaceutical solid forms of fenamic acids having improved solubility and thermal stability. Subsequently, five new multicomponent solids consisting of three salt hydrates of trimethoprim (TMP) with mefenamic acid (TMP-MFA-H2O), tolfenamic acid (TMP-TFA-H2O) and flufenamic acid (TMP-FFA-H2O), and two cocrystals of sulfamethazine (SFZ) with flufenamic acid (SFZ-FFA) and niflumic acid (SFZ-NFA) were prepared by liquid assisted grinding. Looking at the structures of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) molecules, it was quite expected that a wide range of supramolecular synthons would lead to cocrystallization.
New forms were characterized thoroughly by various solid-state techniques, including single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), which provided details of hydrogen bonding, molecular packing and interactions between drug and coformer. Kinetic solubility at pH 7.4 buffer study has been carried out and a comparison is made with respect to the parent drugs. A significant enhancement of NSAIDs solubility was observed in all salt hydrate systems of TMP. Thus with increasing physicochemical properties such as improved solubility further leads to the enhancement of bioavailability, which has implications to overcoming the formulation related problems of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
Mechanically flexible single crystals of molecular materials offer potential for a multitude of new directions in advanced materials design. Before the full potential of such materials can be exploited, insight into their mechanisms of action must be better understood. Such insight can be only obtained through synergistic use of advanced experimentation and simulation. We herein report the first detailed mechanistic study of elasto-plastic flexibility in a molecular solid. An atomistic origin for this mechanical behaviour is proposed through a combination of atomic force microscopy, μ-focus synchrotron X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, ab initio simulation, and computed elastic tensors. Our findings suggest that elastic and plastic bending are intimately linked and result from extensions of the same molecular deformations. The proposed mechanism bridges the gap between contested mechanisms, suggesting its applicability as a general mechanism for elastic and plastic bending in organic molecular crystals.
Mechanical flexibility in single crystals of covalently bound materials is a fascinating and poorly understood phenomenon. We present here the first example of a plastically flexible one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer. The compound [Zn(m-Cl)2(3,5-dichloropyridine)2]n is flexible over two crystallographic faces. Remarkably, the single crystal remains intact when bent to 1808. A combination of microscopy, diffraction, and spectroscopic studies have been used to probe the structural response of the crystal lattice to mechanical bending. Deformation of the covalent polymer chains does not appear to be responsible for the observed macroscopic bending. Instead, our results suggest that mechanical bending occurs by displacement of the coordination polymer chains. Based on experimental and theoretical evidence, we propose a new model for mechanical flexibility in 1D coordination polymers. Moreover, our calculations propose a cause of the different mechanical properties of this compound and a structurally similar elastic material
An airborne high repetition rate laser-induced plasma was applied as a versatile ambient ionization source for mass-spectrometric determinations of polar and nonpolar analytes in solution. The laser plasma was sustained between a home-built pneumatic nebulizer and the inlet capillary of an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. To maintain stable conditions in the droplet-rich spray environment, the plasma was directly fed by the fundamental output (λ = 1064 nm) of a current state-of-the-art diode-pumped solid-state laser. Ionization by the laser-driven plasma resulted in signals of intact analyte ions of several chemical categories. The analyte ions were found to be fully desolvated since no further increase in ion signal was observed upon heating of the inlet capillary. Due to the electroneutrality of the plasma, both positive and negative analyte ions could be formed simultaneously without altering the operational parameters of the ion source. While, typically, polar analytes with pronounced gas phase basicities worked best, nonpolar and amphoteric compounds were also detected. The latter were detected with lower ion signals and were prone to a certain degree of fragmentation induced during the ionization process. All the described attests the laser-induced microplasma by a good performance in terms of stability, robustness, sensitivity, and general applicability as a self-contained ion source for the liquid sample introduction.
Nanotechnology and lasers are among the most successful and active fields of research and technology that have boomed during the past two decades. Many improvements are based on the controlled manufacturing of nanostructures that enable tailored material functionalization for a wide range of industrial applications, electronics, medicine, etc., and have already found entry into our daily life. One appealing approach for manufacturing such nanostructures in a flexible, robust, rapid, and contactless one-step process is based on the generation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS). This Perspectives article analyzes the footprint of the research area of LIPSS on the basis of a detailed literature search, provides a brief overview on its current trends, describes the European funding strategies within the Horizon 2020 programme, and outlines promising future directions.
Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are a simple and robust route for the nanostructuring of solids that can create various surface functionalities featuring applications in optics, medicine, tribology, energy technologies, etc. While the current laser technologies already allow surface processing rates at the level of m2/min, industrial applications of LIPSS are sometimes hampered by the complex interplay between the nanoscale surface topography and the specific surface chemistry, as well as by limitations in controlling the processing of LIPSS and in the long-term stability of the created surface functions. This Perspective article aims to identify some open questions about LIPSS, discusses the pending technological limitations, and sketches the current state of theoretical modelling. Hereby, we intend to stimulate further research and developments in the field of LIPSS for overcoming these limitations and for supporting the transfer of the LIPSS technology into industry.
Surface nanostructuring enables the manipulation of many essential surface properties. With the recent rapid advancements in laser technology, a contactless large‐area processing at rates of up to m2 s−1 becomes feasible that allows new industrial applications in medicine, optics, tribology, biology, etc. On the other hand, the last two decades enable extremely successful and intense research in the field of so‐called laser‐induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples). Different types of these structures featuring periods of hundreds of nanometers only—far beyond the optical diffraction limit—up to several micrometers are easily manufactured in a single‐step process and can be widely controlled by a proper choice of the laser processing conditions. From a theoretical point of view, however, a vivid and very controversial debate emerges, whether LIPSS originate from electromagnetic effects or are caused by matter reorganization. This article aims to close a gap in the available literature on LIPSS by reviewing the currently existent theories of LIPSS along with their numerical implementations and by providing a comparison and critical assessment of these approaches.
Laser texturing is an emerging technology for generating surface functionalities on basis of optical, mechanical, or chemical properties. Taking benefit of laser sources with ultrashort (fs) pulse durations features outstanding precision of machining and negligible rims or burrs surrounding the laser-irradiation zone. Consequently, additional mechanical or chemical post-processing steps are usually not required for fs-laser surface texturing (fs-LST). This work aimed to provide a bridge between research in the field of tribology and laser materials processing. The paper reviews the current state-of-the-art in fs-LST, with a focus on the tribological performance (friction and wear) of specific self-organized surface structures (so-called ripples, grooves, and spikes) on steel and titanium alloys. On the titanium alloy, specific sickle-shaped hybrid micro-nanostructures were also observed and tribologically tested. Care is taken to identify accompanying effects affecting the materials hardness, superficial oxidation, nano- and microscale topographies, and the role of additives contained in lubricants, such as commercial engine oil.
Modern life and global communication would not be possible without technologically tailored thin films; they are omnipresent in daily life applications. In most cases, the films are deposited entirely at the carrying substrates in a specific processing step of the device or sample. In some cases, however, removal or modification must be performed locally, i.e., site-controlled and material selective through an additional laser processing step. For that ultrashort laser pulses with durations in the femtosecond and picosecond range can provide unique advantages and capabilities in industrially scalable schemes. This article reviews the current state of the research and corresponding industrial transfer related to the structuring of thin films by ultrashort pulsed lasers. It focuses on the pertinent historic developments, reveals the relevant physical and chemical effects, explores the ultimate limits, and discusses selected industrial and scientific applications.
Time-resolved phase-contrast microscopy is employed to visualize spatio-temporal thermal transients induced by tight focusing of a single Ti:sapphire fs-laser pulse into a solid dielectric sample. This method relies on the coupling of the refractive index change and the sample temperature through the thermo-optic coefficient dn/dT. The thermal transients are studied on a timescale ranging from 10 ns up to 0.1 ms after laser excitation. Beyond providing direct insights into the laser–matter interaction, analyzing the results obtained also enables quantifying the local thermal diffusivity of the sample on a micrometer scale. Studies conducted in different solid dielectrics, namely amorphous fused silica (a-SiO2), a commercial borosilicate glass (BO33, Schott), and a custom alkaline earth silicate glass (NaSi66), illustrate the applicability of this approach to the investigation of various glassy materials.
Irradiation of solid surfaces with high intensity, ultrashort laser pulses triggers a variety of secondary processes that can lead to the formation of transient and permanent structures over a large range of length scales from mm down to the nano‐range. One of the most prominent examples are LIPSS – Laser‐Induced Periodic Surface Structures. While LIPSS have been a scientific evergreen for of almost 60 years, experimental methods that combine ultrafast temporal with the required nm spatial resolution have become available only recently with the advent of short pulse, short wavelength free electron lasers. Here, the current status and future perspectives in this field are discussed by exploiting the unique possibilities of these 4th‐generation light sources to address by time‐domain experimental techniques the fundamental LIPSS‐question, namely why and how laser irradiation can initiate the transition of a “chaotic” (rough) surface from an aperiodic into a periodic structure.
Laser material processing is an emerging technology that generates surface functionalities on the basis of optical, mechanical, or chemical properties. In the form of laser surface texturing (LST), it has attracted a remarkable amount of research to tailor surface properties towards various tribological applications. The main advantages of this single-step, laser-based technology are the contactless machining, featuring a high flexibility, efficiency, and speed, along with the excellent quality of the processed products. LST can be applied precisely localized to sub-micrometric areas, but, via laser beam scanning, it is also feasible for structuring large surface areas at the square meter size.
This Special Issue focuses on the latest developments concerning the tribological performance of laser-generated periodic surface nano- and microstructures and their applications. This includes the laser-based processing of different surface patterns, such as “self-organized” laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS, ripples), grooves, micro-spikes, hierarchical hybrid nano-/micro-structures, microfeatures generated by direct laser interference patterning (DLIP), or even dimples or other topographic geometries shaped by direct laser modification or ablation. The applications of these periodically nano- and micro-patterned surfaces may improve the lubricated or non-lubricated tribological performance of surfaces in conformal and even non-conformal contact through a reduction of wear, a variation of the coefficient of friction, altered load carrying capacity, etc., resulting in energy saving, improved reliability, increased lifetimes as well as durability, leading in turn to extended maintenance intervals/reduced down-time. This can be beneficial in terms of bearings, gears, engines, seals, cutting tools, or other tribological components. Fundamental aspects addressed may involve the investigation of the relevant physical and chemical effects accompanying the laser-generated nano- and microscale topographies, such as alterations of the material structures, the hardness, superficial oxidation, the role of additives contained in lubricants, surface wettability, micro-hydrodynamic effects, etc.
For this Special Issue we aim to attract both academic and industrial researchers and would like to provide a bridge between research in the fields of tribology and laser material processing in order to foster the current knowledge and present new ideas for future applications and new technologies.
A big problem with the chemistry literature is that it is not standardized with respect to precise operational parameters, and real time corrections are hard to make without expert knowledge. This lack of context means difficult reproducibility because many steps are ambiguous, and hence depend on tacit knowledge. Here we present the integration of online NMR into an automated chemical synthesis machine (CSM aka. “Chemputer” which is capable of small-molecule synthesis using a universal programming language) to allow automated analysis and adjustment of reactions on the fly. The system was validated and benchmarked by using Grignard reactions which were chosen due to their importance in synthesis. The system was monitored in real time using online-NMR, and spectra were measured continuously during the reactions. This shows that the synthesis being done in the Chemputer can be dynamically controlled in response to feedback optimizing the reaction conditions according to the user requirements.
Zearalenone (ZEN) and its phase II sulfate and glucoside metabolites have been detected in food and feed commodities. After consumption, the conjugates can be hydrolyzed by the human intestinal microbiota leading to liberation of ZEN that implies an underestimation of the true ZEN exposure. To include ZEN conjugates in routine analysis, reliable standards are needed, which are currently not available. Thus, the aim of the present study was to develop a facilitated biosynthesis of ZEN-14-sulfate, ZEN-14-glucoside and ZEN-16-glucoside. A metabolite screening was conducted by adding ZEN to liquid fungi cultures of known ZEN conjugating Aspergillus and Rhizopus strains. Cultivation conditions and ZEN incubation time were varied. All media samples were analyzed for metabolite formation by HPLC-MS/MS. In addition, a consecutive biosynthesis was developed by using Fusarium graminearum for ZEN biosynthesis with subsequent conjugation of the toxin by utilizing Aspergillus and Rhizopus species. ZEN-14-sulfate (yield: 49%) is exclusively formed by Aspergillus oryzae. ZEN-14-glucoside (yield: 67%) and ZEN-16-glucoside (yield: 39%) are formed by Rhizopus oryzae and Rhizopus oligosporus, respectively. Purities of ≥73% ZEN-14-sulfate, ≥82% ZEN-14-glucoside and ≥50% ZEN-16-glucoside were obtained by 1H-NMR. In total, under optimized cultivation conditions, fungi can be easily utilized for a targeted and regioselective synthesis of ZEN conjugates.
The plastic value chain, central part of modern living, caused environmental pollution and bioaccumulation of plastic nanoparticles (PNPs). Their ubiquitous presence in different environmental and biological compartments has become a serious threat to human health and ecosystems. Frequently used plastic materials such as polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) have been detected in the form of PNPs in the food chain, soil, water and air, as well as in human feces and blood. In this study, we aimed to provide novel insights in endocrine disrupting properties of PNPs using in vitro estrogen receptor (ER) transactivation assay. The effects of PP-NPs, PE-NPs and PS-NPs and their mixture on T47D-KBluc cell line stably transfected with luciferase as reporter enzyme was evaluated by means of cytotoxicity, cellular uptake and ER activation. Tested dose range for PNPs was 0.001 – 10 mg/L. Both cellular uptake and cytotoxicity for all PNPs was found to be dose-dependent. Only the highest dose of PP-NPs and PE-NPs induced apoptosis and cell death, while PS-NPs were not cytotoxic in tested dose range. For tested concentrations, PP-NPs and PE-NPs showed significant agonistic activity on ER, while PS-NPs cannot be considered ER active. When, applied as mixture, PNP demonstrated additive toxicity effects compared to the effect of each individual PNPs. Additivity was also observed for ER agonistic effect of PNPs mixture according to the benchmark dose-addition modelling approach. This study provides missing science-based evidence on endocrine disrupting effects of PE-NPs, PP-NPs, PS-NPs and their mixtures and highlights the importance of considering unintentional, aggregate and combined exposure to different PNPs in risk management.
A facile and convenient approach for the synthesis of core–shell particles via emulsion polymerization is presented. The shell consists of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and the core of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) or poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA). In a first step, a non-fluorinated (meth)acrylate monomer is polymerized in the emulsion to produce poly(meth)acrylate core particles. Secondly, vinylidene fluoride (VDF) is directly added to the reactor and polymerized for shell formation. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was employed to characterize the structure of the core–shell particles. Interestingly, the particles’ core contains fluorinated and non-fluorinated polymers, whereas the shell of the particles consists only of PVDF. The resulting particles with a diameter of around 40 nm show a significantly higher PVDF β phase content than the PVDF homopolymer obtained by emulsion polymerization
A harmonization of sampling, sample preparation and detection is pivotal in order to obtain comparable data on microplastics (MP) in the environment. This paper develops and proposes a suitable sampling concept for waterbodies that considers different plastic specific properties and influencing factors in the environment.
Both artificial water including defined MP fractions and the discharge of a wastewater treatment plant were used to verify the derived sampling procedure, sample preparation and the subsequent analysis of MP using thermal extraction-desorption gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS).
A major finding of this paper is that an application of various particle size classes greatly improves the practical handling of the sampling equipment. Size classes also enable the TED-GC-MS to provide any data on the MP size distribution, a substantial sampling property affecting both the necessary sampling volume and the optimal sampling depth.
In the artificial water with defined MP fractions, the recovery rates ranged from 80 to 110%, depending on the different MP types and MP size classes. In the treated wastewater, we found both Polyethylene and polystyrene in different size classes and quantities.
The roles extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play in mineral attachment and weathering were studied using genetically modified biofilms of the rock-inhabiting fungus Knufia petricola strain A95. Mutants deficient in melanin and/or carotenoid synthesis were grown as air-exposed biofilms. Extracted EPS were quantified and characterised using a combination of analytical techniques. The absence of melanin affected the quantity and composition of the produced EPS: mutants no longer able to form melanin synthesised more EPS containing fewer pullulan-related glycosidic linkages. Moreover, the melanin-producing strains attached more strongly to the mineral olivine and dissolved it at a higher rate. We hypothesise that the pullulan-related linkages, with their known adhesion functionality, enable fungal attachment and weathering. The released phenolic intermediates of melanin synthesis in the Δsdh1 mutant might play a role similar to Fe-chelating siderophores, driving olivine dissolution even further. These data demonstrate the need for careful compositional and quantitative analyses of biofilm-created microenvironments.
Anewbariumcoordination polymer, BaF-benzenedicarboxylate (BaF(p-BDC)0.5), with fluorine directly coordinated to the metal cation, was prepared by mechanochemical synthesis routes. Phase-pure BaF-benzenedicarboxylate was synthesized by milling starting either from barium hydroxide or from Barium acetate as sources for barium cations. In both cases, the second reactant was 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H2(p-BDC)). Ammonium fluoride was used as fluorinating agent directly at milling. This is the first mechanochemical synthesis of coordination polymers where fluorine is directly coordinated to the metal cation.
Following the second possibility, barium acetate fluoride (Ba(OAc)F) is formed as ntermediate product after milling, and the new coordination polymer is accessible only after washing with water and dimethyl sulfoxide. The new compound BaF(p-BDC)0.5 was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, FTIR-, and 19F, 1H-13C CP MAS NMR spectroscopies, DTA-TG, and elemental Analysis.
Electron microscopy (EM) is the gold standard for the characterisation of the morphology (size and shape) of nanoparticles. Visual observation of objects under examination is always a necessary first step in the characterisation process. Several questions arise when undertaking to identify and count particles to measure their size and shape distribution. In addition to challenges with the dispersion and identification of the particles, more than one protocol for counting particles is in use. This paper focuses on precise rules for the counting of particles in EM micrographs, as this influences the measurement accuracy of the number of particles, thus implicitly affecting the size values of the counted particles. We review and compare four different, commonly used methods for counting, which we then apply in case studies. The impact of the selected counting rule on the obtained final particle size distribution is highlighted. One main aim of this analysis is to support the application of a specific, well-defined counting approach in accordance with regulatory
requirements to contribute to achieving more reliable and reproducible results. It is also useful for the new harmonised measurement procedures for determining the particle size and particle size distribution of nanomaterials.
In this work, four triazole-based poly(ether-pyridine)s polymers were synthesized and used as an adsorbent for the removal of phenolic compounds from aqueous solutions. For this purpose, new fluoromonomers containing 1,2,3-triazole units were prepared by the Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction and then used for the elaboration of novel poly(ether-pyridine-triazole)s (PEPTs) by direct polyconden-sation with isosorbide and bisphenol A. Chemical structure of fluorinated pyridinicmonomers as well as resulting polymers was confirmed by 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopic methods. The thermal behavior of the obtained PEPTs was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Results of sorption showed that polymers can be effectively used as a sorbent for the removal of polarorganic pollutants. The isosorbide-based poly(ether-pyridine-triazole) which contains hydrophilic hydroxyl groups as pendants chains (P4) exhibited the highest sorption efficiencies (78%–100% after 1 h). In order to explain the results an adsorption mech-anism mainly based on π–π interactions and hydrogen bonding with the pendent groups is proposed.
The cleaning of aged silk fibers poses a common challenge in the conservation of textiles, since traditional cleaning techniques often yield unsatisfactory results or even harm objects. In this regard, cleaning objects with laser radiation is a promising addition to the range of available methods. Due to it being contactless, even brittle and touch-sensitive objects with disfiguring or harmful soiling could potentially be cleaned and therefore made accessible for research and presentation. Examples of treatment have sometimes shown spectacular results. Still there is some skepticism concerning the safety of this treatment for textile materials, which has been strengthened through previous 532 nm wavelength nanosecond laser cleaning studies on silk fibers. Taking these published results into account, the range of examined laser parameters has been extended in this study, from 532 nm nanosecond laser to 1064 nm nanosecond and even 800 nm femtosecond laser, reevaluating the effect of this treatment on the fibers. The physicochemical processes taking place on the silk fibers when cleaning with lasers are complex and still not fully understood. The aim of this project was therefore to bring more clarification about potential effects of those processes on the condition of silk samples treated with a set of different parameters for wavelength, pulse duration, energy density and number of pulses per spot. It also looks at the influence of the presence of soiling on the results. The analysis of potential effects was then carried out using statistical methods and advanced analytics. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and colorimetry technology provided the required insights to better assess the effects. Results show that laser cleaning of silk fibers, like most other conventional cleaning techniques, is not completely without risk, but knowing what the possible effects are helps making decisions on whether the benefits of the technique used justify these risks.
Hydrogen economy is a central aspect of future energy supply, as hydrogen can be used as energy storage and fuel. In order tomake water electrolysis efficient, the limiting oxygen evolution reaction (OER) needs to be optimized. Therefore, C-based composite materials containing earth-abundant Fe and Mn were synthesized, characterized and tested in the OER. For pyrolysis temperatures above 700°C N-rich multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) are obtained. Inside the tubes Fe3C particles are formed, Fe and Mn oxides are incorporated in the carbon matrix and metal spinel nanoparticles cover the outer surface. The best catalyst prepared at 800°C achieves a low overpotential of 389 mV (at 10 mA/cm2) and high stability (22.6 h). From electrochemical measurements and characterization it can be concluded that the high activity is mainly provided by MWCNT, Fe3C and the metal oxides in the conductive carbon matrix. The metal spinel nanoparticles in
contrast protect the MWCNT from oxidation and thereby contribute to the high stability.
For the large-scale generation of hydrogen via water electrolysis the design of long term stable and active catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) remains a key challenge. Most catalysts suffer from severe structural corrosion that becomes even more pronounced at fluctuating potentials. Herein, MnCo based cubic particles were prepared via a hydrothermal approach, in which the edge length of the micron-sized particles can be controlled by changing the pH value of the precursor solution. The cubes are composed of varying amounts of MnCo2O4, CoCO3 and a mixed (Mn/Co)CO3 phase. Structure–activity relationships were deduced revealing a volcano-type behavior for the intrinsic OER activity and fraction of spinel oxide phase.
A low overpotential of 0.37 V at 10 mA cm−2 and a stability of more than 25 h was achieved in 1.0 M KOH using a rotating disc electrode (RDE) setup. The best performing catalyst material was successfully tested under dynamic process conditions for 9.5 h and shows a superior catalytic activity as anode for the Overall water splitting in an electrolyser setup in 1.0 M KOH at 333 K compared to a reference NiCo-spinel catalyst.
One of the challenges of high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells is the poisoning of the Pt catalyst with H3PO4. H3PO4 is imbibed into the routinely used polybenzimidazole-based membranes, which facilitate proton conductivity in the temperature range of 120−200 °C. However, when leached out of the membrane by water produced during operation, H3PO4 adsorbs on the Pt catalyst surface, blocking the active sites and hindering the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).
The reduction of H3PO4 to H3PO3, which occurs at the anode due to a combination of a low potential and the presence of gaseous H2, has been investigated as an additional important contributing factor to the observed poisoning effect. H3PO3 has an affinity toward adsorption on Pt surfaces even greater than that of H2PO4 −. In this work, we investigated the poisoning effect of both H3PO3 and H3PO4 using a half-cell setup with a gas diffusion electrode under ambient conditions. By means of in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, it was possible to follow the signature of different species adsorbed on the Pt nanoparticle catalyst (H, O, H2PO4 −, and H3PO3) at different potentials under ORR conditions in various electrolytes (HClO4, H3PO4, and H3PO3). It was found that H3PO3 adsorbs in a pyramidal configuration P(OH)3 through a Pt−P bond. The competition between H3PO4 and H3PO3 adsorption was studied, which should allow for a better understanding of the catalyst poisoning mechanism and thus assist in the development of strategies to mitigate this phenomenon in the future by minimizing H3PO3 generation by, for example, improved catalyst design or adapted operation conditions or changes in the electrolyte composition.
Branched Polyurethanes Based on Synthetic Polyhydroxybutyrate with Tunable Structure and Properties
(2018)
Branched, aliphatic polyurethanes (PURs) were synthesized and compared to linear analogues. The influence of polycaprolactonetriol and synthetic poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) (R,S-PHB) in soft segments on structure, thermal and sorptive properties of PURs was determined.
Using FTIR and Raman spectroscopies it was found that increasing the R,S-PHB amount in the structure of branched PURs reduced a tendency of urethane groups to hydrogen bonding. Melting enthalpies (on DSC thermograms) of both soft and hard segments of linear PURs were higher than branched PURs, suggesting that linear PURs were more crystalline. Oil sorption by samples of linear and branched PURs, containing only polycaprolactone chains in soft segments, was higher than in the case of samples with R,S-PHB in their structure. Branched PUR without R,S-PHB absorbed the highest amount of oil. Introducing R,S-PHB into the PUR structure increased water sorption.
Thus, by operating the number of branching and the amount of poly([R,S]-3-hydroxybutyrate) in soft segments thermal and sorptive properties of aliphatic PURs could be controlled.
The new recommended definition of a nanomaterial, 2022/C 229/01, adopted by the European Commission in 2022, will have a considerable impact on European Union legislation addressing chemicals, and therefore tools to implement this new definition are urgently needed. The updated NanoDefiner framework and its e-tool implementation presented here are such instruments, which help stakeholders to find out in a straightforward way whether a material is a nanomaterial or not. They are two major outcomes of the NanoDefine project, which is explicitly referred to in the new definition. This work revisits the framework and e-tool, and elaborates necessary adjustments to make these outcomes applicable for the updated recommendation. A broad set of case studies on representative materials confirms the validity of these adjustments. To further foster the sustainability and applicability of the framework and e-tool, measures for the FAIRification of expert knowledge within the e-tool’s knowledge base are elaborated as well. The updated framework and e-tool are now ready to be used in line with the updated recommendation. The presented approach may serve as an example for reviewing existing guidance and tools developed for the previous definition 2011/696/EU, particularly those adopting NanoDefine project outcomes.
NanoDefiner e-Tool: An Implemented Decision Support Framework for Nanomaterial Identification
(2019)
The European Commission’s recommendation on the definition of nanomaterial (2011/696/EU) established an applicable standard for material categorization. However, manufacturers face regulatory challenges during registration of their products. Reliable categorization is difficult and requires considerable expertise in existing measurement techniques (MTs). Additionally, organizational complexity is increased as different authorities’ registration processes require distinct reporting.
The NanoDefine project tackled these obstacles by providing the NanoDefiner e-tool: A decision support expert system for nanomaterial identification in a regulatory context. It providesMT recommendations for categorization of specific materials using a tiered approach (screening/confirmatory), and was constructed with experts from academia and industry to be extensible, interoperable, and adaptable for forthcoming revisions of the nanomaterial definition. An implemented MT-driven material categorization scheme allows detailed description. Its guided workflow is suitable for a variety of user groups. Direct feedback and explanation enable transparent decisions. Expert knowledge is Held in a knowledge base for representation of MT performance criteria and physicochemical particle type
properties. Continuous revision ensured data quality and validity. Recommendations were validated by independent case studies on industry-relevant particulate materials. Besides supporting material identification and registration, the free and open-source e-tool may serve as template for other expert systems within the nanoscience domain.
A catalyst-free Schiff base reaction was applied to synthesize two imine-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs). The condensation reaction of 1,3,5-tris-(4-aminophenyl)triazine (TAPT) with 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxaldehyde led to the structure of HHU-COF-1 (HHU = Heinrich-Heine University). The fluorinated analog HHU-COF-2 was obtained with 2,2′,3,3′,5,5′,6,6′-octafluoro-4,4′-biphenyldicarboxaldehyde. Solid-state NMR, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and elemental analysis confirmed the successful formation of the two network structures. The crystalline materials are characterized by high Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface areas of 2352 m2/g for HHU-COF-1 and 1356 m2/g for HHU-COF-2. The products of a larger-scale synthesis were applied to prepare mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) with the polymer Matrimid. CO2/CH4 permeation tests revealed a moderate increase in CO2 permeability at constant selectivity for HHU-COF-1 as a dispersed phase, whereas application of the fluorinated COF led to a CO2/CH4 selectivity increase from 42 for the pure Matrimid membrane to 51 for 8 wt% of HHU-COF-2 and a permeability increase from 6.8 to 13.0 Barrer for the 24 wt% MMM.
Ananion-dopedaluminiumchlorofluoride AlCl0.1F2.8(OTeF5)0.1(ACF-teflate) was synthesized.The material contains pentafluor-oorthotellurate(teflate)groups, which mimic fluoride ions electronically, but are sterically more demanding. They are embedded into the amorphous structure. The latter was studied by PDF analysis, EXAFS data and MAS NMR spectroscopy. The mesoporous powder is a Lewis superacid, and ATR-IR spectra of adsorbed CD3CN reveal a blue-shift of the adsorption band by73 cm-1, which is larger than the shift for SbF5. Remarkably,ACF-teflate catalyzes dehydrofluorination reactions of mono-fluoroalkanes to yield olefins in C6D6. In these cases,no Friedel-Crafts products were formed.
The hydration process of Portland cement in a cementitious system is crucial for development of the high-quality cementbased construction material. Complementary experiments of Xray diffraction analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) using europium (Eu(III)) as an optical probe are used to analyse the hydration process of two cement systems in the absence and presence of different organic admixtures.
We Show that different analysed admixtures and the used sulphate carriers in each cement system have a significant influence on the hydration process, namely on the time-dependence in the formation of different hydrate phases of cement. Moreover, the effect of a particular admixture is related to the type of sulphate carrier used.
The quantitative information on the amounts of the crystalline cement paste components is accessible via XRD analysis. Distinctly different morphologies of ettringite and calcium-silicate-hydrates (C-S-H) determined by SEM allow visual conclusions about formation of these phases at particular ageing times. The TRLFS data provides information about the admixture influence on the course of the silicate reaction. The dip in the dependence of the luminescence decay times on the hydration time indicates the change in the structure of C-S-H in the early hydration period. Complementary information from XRD, SEM and TRLFS provides detailed information on distinct periods of the cement hydration process.
Nitrogen-rich noble metal nitrides possess unique mechanical and catalytic properties, therefore their synthesis and characterization is of interest for fundamental solid state chemistry and materials science. In this study we have synthesized a singlesource precursor [Rh(NH3)6]3(N3)5Cl4 (Rh:N ratio 1:11). Its controlled decomposition in a laser-heated diamond anvil cell at 39 GPa resulted in a formation of rhodium pernitride, RhN2. According to the results of single-crystal X-ray diffraction RhN2 has arsenopyrite structure type crystal structure previously unknown for this compound (P21/c (no. 14).
Ultrashort pulse laser processing can result in the secondary generation of unwanted X-rays if a critical laser irradiance of about 10^13 W/cm^2 is exceeded. Spectral X-ray emissions were investigated during the processing of tungsten and steel using three complementary spectrometers (based on CdTe and silicon drift detectors) simultaneously for the identification of a worst-case spectral scenario. Therefore, maximum X-ray photon energies were determined, and corresponding dose equivalent rates were calculated. An ultrashort pulse laser workstation with a pulse duration of 274 fs, a center wavelength of 1030 nm, pulse repetition rates between 50 kHz and 200 kHz, and a Gaussian laser beam focused to a spot diameter of 33 µm was employed in a single pulse and burst laser operation mode. Different combinations of laser pulse energy and repetition rate were utilized, keeping the average laser power constant close to the maximum power of 20 W. Peak irradiances ranging from 7.3 × 10^13 W/cm^2 up to 3.0 × 10^14 W/cm^2 were used. The X-ray dose equivalent rate increases for lower repetition rates and higher pulse energy if a constant average power is used. Laser processing with burst mode significantly increases the dose rates and the X-ray photon energies. A maximum X-ray photon energy of about 40 keV was observed for burst mode processing of tungsten with a repetition rate of 50 kHz and a peak irradiance of 3 × 10^14 W/cm^2.
The development of earth-abundant catalysts for selective electrochemical CO2 conversion is a central challenge. Cu-Sn bimetallic catalysts can yield selective CO2 reduction toward either CO or formate. This study presents oxide-derived Cu-Sn catalysts tunable for either product and seeks to understand the synergetic effects between Cu and Sn causing these selectivity trends. The materials undergo significant transformations under CO2 reduction conditions, and their dynamic bulk and surface structures are revealed by correlating observations from multiple methods—X-ray absorption spectroscopy for in situ study, and quasi in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for surface sensitivity. For both types of catalysts, Cu transforms to metallic Cu0 under reaction conditions. However, the Sn speciation and content differ significantly between the catalyst types: the CO-selective catalysts exhibit a surface Sn content of 13 at. % predominantly present as oxidized Sn, while the formate-selective catalysts display an Sn content of ≈70 at. % consisting of both metallic Sn0 and Sn oxide species. Density functional theory simulations suggest that Snδ+ sites weaken CO adsorption, thereby enhancing CO selectivity, while Sn0 sites hinder H adsorption and promote formate production. This study reveals the complex dependence of catalyst structure, composition, and speciation with electrochemical bias in bimetallic Cu catalysts.
In this study, we propose the use of nondestructive, depth-resolved, element-specific characterization using grazing exit X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy (GE-XANES) to investigate the corrosion process in compositionally complex alloys (CCAs). By combining grazing exit X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (GE-XRF) geometry and a pnCCD detector, we provide a scanning-free, nondestructive, depth-resolved analysis in a sub-micrometer depth range, which is especially relevant for layered materials, such as corroded CCAs. Our setup allows for spatial and energy-resolved measurements and directly extracts the desired fluorescence line, free from scattering events and other overlapping lines. We demonstrate the potential of our approach on a compositionally complex CrCoNi alloy and a layered reference sample with known composition and specific layer thickness. Our findings indicate that this new GE-XANES approach has exciting opportunities for studying surface catalysis and corrosion processes in real-world materials.
Thermoset materials characterization is often limited to solid state analytical techniques such as IR, NMR, DSC, TGA and mechanical testing. Alternatively, their off-gassing behavior can also be evaluated using GC based techniques such as TD-GC-MS, allowing this method to be applied to thermoset materials analyses such as identification, aging characterization, and formulation optimization. As an overview, common thermoset materials were evaluated by analyzing their gaseous degradation products via TGA-based pyrolysis and subsequent TD-GC-MS for the identification of representative volatile signatures. It is thereby possible to distinguish different classes of phenolic materials or cured epoxy resins, as well as their amine or anhydride curatives. Additionally, this method enabled quantification of a volatile fragment (bisphenol A, BPA) which is associated with oxidation of epoxy/amine thermoset materials. The amount of evolved BPA increased linearly with aging time and this trend exhibits linear Arrhenius behavior over the temperature range (80–125 °C) studied, in agreement with oxidation sensitivies based on oxygen consumption data. Further, TD-GC-MS was used to explore how off-gassing of residual anhydride curative from an epoxy/anhydride material depends on formulation stoichiometry. Even in formulations that theoretically contained enough epoxy to consume all anhydride (1:1 stoichiometry), an imperfect final cure state resulted in residual anhydride which could evolve from the material. For such materials, a slightly epoxy-rich formulation is required to ensure that the material contains no residual unreacted anhydride. Analysis of volatiles generated by thermal exposure is an attractive characterization approach enabling compositional analysis as well as complementary diagnostics for materials degradation.
The reinforcing effect of boehmite nanoparticles (BNP) in epoxy resins for fiber composite lightweight construction is related to the formation of a soft but bound interphase between filler and polymer. The interphase is able to dissipate crack propagation energy and consequently increases the fracture toughness of the epoxy resin. Usually, the nanoparticles are dispersed in the resin and then mixed with the hardener to form an applicable mixture to impregnate the fibers. If one wishes to locally increase the fracture toughness at particularly stressed positions of the fiber-reinforced polymer composites (FRPC), this could be done by spraying nanoparticles from a suspension. However, this would entail high costs for removing the nanoparticles from the ambient air. We propose that a fiber fleece containing bound nanoparticles be inserted at exposed locations. For the present proof-of-concept study, an electrospun polycarbonate nonwoven and taurine modified BNP are proposed. After fabrication of suitable PC/EP/BNP composites, the thermomechanical properties were tested by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Comparatively, the local nanomechanical properties such as stiffness and elastic modulus were determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). An additional investigation of the distribution of the nanoparticles in the epoxy matrix, which is a prerequisite for an effective nanocomposite, is carried out by scanning electron microscopy in transmission mode (TSEM). From the results it can be concluded that the concept of carrier fibers for nanoparticles is viable.
Thermoplastic modified thermosets are of great interest especially due to their improved fracture toughness. Comparable enhancements have been achieved by adding different nanofillers including inorganic particles such as nanosized boehmite. Here, we present a nanomechanical study of two composite systems, the first comprising a polycarbonate (PC) layer in contact with epoxy resin (EP) and the second consisting of a PC layer containing boehmite nanoparticles (BNP) which is also in contact with an EP layer. The interaction between PC and EP monomer is tested by in situ Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) analysis, from which a reaction induced phase separation of the PC phase is inferred. Both systems are explored by atomic force microscopy (AFM) force spectroscopy. AFM force-distance curves (FDC) show no alteration of the mechanical properties of EP at the interface to PC. However, when a PC phase loaded with BNP is put in contact with an epoxy system during curing, a considerable mechanical improvement exceeding the rule of mixture was detected.
The trend of BNP to agglomerate preferentially around EP dominated regions and the stiffening effect of BNP on EP shown by spatial resolved measurements of Young's modulus, suggest the effective presence of BNP within the EP phase.
Though the reinforcing properties of inorganic particles in thermosetting nanocomposites, has been exploited, the integration of nanoparticles continues to be challenging in terms of their homogeneous distribution and their manipulation which can contribute to occupational hazards. Due to a second encapsulations of nanoparticles, electrospun nanocomposite fibers containing nanoparticles might be an alternative for overcoming these issues, as the fiber nonwovens contains the nanoparticles allowing for safer manipulation. Here, the morphology, and the thermal properties of electrospun polycarbonate fibers containing taurine modified boehmite nanoparticles (BNP) are investigated by means of small and wide-angle X-ray scattering as well as fast scanning and temperature modulated fast scanning calorimetry for the first time. The latter techniques allow the investigation of the thermal properties of single fibers at heating rates up to 10^4 K s^-1 keeping its structure intact. A quantitative analysis of the scattering data reveals a porous structure of the fibers. The porous structure is quantified regarding the pore volume and the pore size. A constant amount of aggregation is found even for the highly BNP loaded fibers. Thermal analysis on the fibers reveals a rigid amorphous fraction (RAF) where it is known that RAF determinates the properties of a nanocomposite to a large extent. For the fibers RAF amounts up to 40 wt%, which is essential higher compared to equally formulated PC/BNP composite cast films. The RAF in the case of the fibers, is not only due to the presence of particles in the polymer but also due to orientation effects induced by the electrospinning process.
Accurate and reproducible measurement of the structure and properties of high-value nanoparticles is extremely important for their commercialization. A significant proportion of engineered nanoparticle systems consist of some form of nominally core-shell structure, whether by design or unintentionally. Often, these do not form an ideal core-shell structure, with typical deviations including polydispersity of the core or shell, uneven or incomplete shells, noncentral cores, and others. Such systems may be created with or without intent, and in either case an understanding of the conditions for formation of such particles is desirable. Precise determination of the structure, composition, size, and shell thickness of such particles can prove challenging without the use of a suitable range of characterization techniques. Here, the authors present two such polymer core-shell nanoparticle systems, consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene cores coated with a range of thicknesses of either polymethylmethacrylate or polystyrene. By consideration of surface energy, it is shown that these particles are expected to possess distinctly differing coating structures, with the polystyrene coating being incomplete. A comprehensive characterization of these systems is demonstrated, using a selection of complementary techniques including scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, differential centrifugal sedimentation, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. By combining the results provided by these techniques, it is possible to achieve superior characterization and understanding of the particle structure than could be obtained by considering results separately.
ISO Technical Report 23173 describes methods by which electron spectroscopies, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and synchrotron techniques, can be employed to calculate the Coating thicknesses and compositions of nanoparticles. The document has been developed to review and outline the current state-of-the-art for such measurements. Such analyses of core–shell nanoparticles are common within the literature, however the
methods employed are varied; the relative advantages and disadvantages of These methods, and the optimal usage of each may not be clear to the general analyst. ISO Technical Report 23173 aims to clarify the methods that are available, describe them in clear terms, exhibit examples of their use, and highlight potential issues users may face. The information provided should allow analysts of electron spectroscopy data to make clear choices regarding the appropriate analysis of electron spectroscopy data from coated nanoparticle systems and provide a basis for understanding and comparing results from different methods and systems.
n situ monitoring of mechanochemical reactions between dicyandiamide (DCD) and CuX2 salts (X = Cl−, NO3−), for the preparation of compounds of agrochemical interest, showed the appearance of a number of phases. It is demonstrated that milling conditions, such as the amount of water added in wet grinding and/or the milling frequency, may affect the course of the mechanochemical reactions, and drive the reaction towards the formation of different products. It has been possible to discover by in situ monitored experiments two novel crystalline forms, namely the neutral complexes [Cu(DCD)2(OH2)2(NO3)2] (2) and [Cu(DCD)2(OH2)Cl2]·H2O (4), in addition to the previously known molecular salt [Cu(DCD)2(OH2)2][NO3]2·2H2O (1, DIVWAG) and neutral complex [Cu(DCD)2(OH2)Cl2] (3, AQCYCU), for which no synthesis conditions were available. Compounds 2 and 4 were fully characterized via a combination of solid-state techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and TGA.