| 1. |
- Abrahams, I., et al.
(author)
-
A Combined Total Scattering and Simulation Approach to Analyzing Defect Structure in Bi3YO6
- 2010
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-5002 .- 0897-4756. ; 22:15, s. 4435-4445
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The defect structure and electrical properties of the fast oxide ion-conducting solid electrolyte delta-Bi3YO6 have been studied using a combination of total neutron scattering analysis, energy minimization methods, and AC impedance spectroscopy. Conventional structural analysis using the Rietveld method reveals the oxide ions to be distributed over three crystallographic sites at room temperature, with a small change in this distribution at 800 degrees C. Analysis of short-range correlations using a total neutron scattering approach yields information on Bi and Y coordination environments. Careful analysis of the angular distribution functions derived from reverse Monte Carlo modeling of the total scattering data reveals physical evidence for a predominance of vacancy ordering in this system. This ordering is confirmed as the lowest energy configuration in parallel energy minimization simulations.
|
|
| 2. |
- Agostini, M., et al.
(author)
-
Polysulfide-containing Glyme-based Electrolytes for Lithium Sulfur Battery
- 2015
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-5002 .- 0897-4756. ; 27:13, s. 4604-4611
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new comparative investigation of lithium sulfur cells employing a tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether-lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (TEGDME-LiCF3SO3) electrolyte charged by various polysulfide species (Li2S2, Li2S4, Li2S6, and Li2S8) is here reported. We carefully detect the effects of lithium polysulfide addition by originally combining X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The measurements clearly reveal how the polysulfide addition affects the nature and composition of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in terms of precipitated S-based species determined by XPS. The study demonstrates that the SEI layer formed on the Li anode decreases in impedance and stabilizes by the presence of polysulfide. This, together with a buffer effect strongly mitigating the sulfur-cathode dissolution and the shuttle reaction, significantly improves the stability of the lithium-sulfur cell. The data here reported clearly suggest the polysulfide as an effective additive to enhance the performance of the lithium-sulfur battery (Graph Presented).
|
|
| 3. |
- Agrios, Alexander George, et al.
(author)
-
Nanostructured composite films for dye-sensitized solar cells by electrostatic layer-by-layer deposition
- 2006
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 18:23, s. 5395-5397
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The possibilities for making nanocomposite semiconductor films for DSC using the ELBL method was investigated. Coated slides were cut in half vertically giving two strips that can be subjected to different treatments for comparison. The electrode was heated to 450 °C for 30 min and then Cooled to 80 °C. Scanning electron microscopy of a sintered film with 5 cycles of TiO2 nanoparticles shows that the particles are well distributed and completely cover the transparent conducting oxide substrate. Spectroscopic measurements of a dye-coated film in acetonitrile found a dye concentration within the film of 0.15 mM based on an extinction coefficient. The solar cell including a scattering layer had more than double the current of the transparent layer-only cell. It was observed that ELBL method can produce TiO2 films for DSC with high efficiencies at low thickness.
|
|
| 4. |
- Andrén, Oliver C. J., et al.
(author)
-
Therapeutic Nanocarriers via Cholesterol Directed Self-Assembly of Well-Defined Linear-Dendritic Polymeric Amphiphiles
- 2017
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 29:9, s. 3891-3898
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A novel platform of fluorescently labeled nanocarriers (NCs) is herein proposed based on amphiphilic linear-dendritic polymeric hybrids. These sophisticated polymers were synthesized with a high degree of structural control at a macro-molecular level, displayed hydrophobic cholesterol compartments as chain-terminus groups of the dendritic block and hydrophilic bifunctional linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block. Spherical supramolecular assemblies with therapeutically relevant properties were successfully achieved including (i) sizes in the region of 100 to 200 nm; (ii) narrow dispersity profile with values close to 0.12; and (iii) self-assembly down to nanomolar concentrations. The modular nature of the NCs permitted the encapsulation of single or dual anticancer drugs and in parallel provide intracellular fluorescent traceability. As polymer therapeutics, the NCs were proven to penetrate the cancerous cell membranes and deliver the cargo of drugs into the nuclei as well as the cytoplasm and mitochondria. The dual drug delivery of both doxorubicin (DOX) and triptolide substantially enhanced the therapeutic efficacy with a 63% significant increase against resistant breast cancer cells when compared to free DOX.
|
|
| 5. |
- Anselmo, Ana Sofia, 1980-, et al.
(author)
-
Tuning the Vertical Phase Separation in Polyfluorene: Fullerene Blend Films by Polymer Functionalization
- 2011
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - Washington : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1520-5002 .- 0897-4756. ; 23:9, s. 2295-2302
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Achieving control over the nanomorphology of blend films of the fullerene derivative [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester, PCBM, with light-absorbing conjugated polymers is an important challenge in the development of efficient solution-processed photovoltaics. Here, three new polyfluorene copolymers are presented, tailored for enhanced miscibility with the fullerene through the introduction of polymer segments with modified side chains, which enhance the polymer's polar character. The composition of the spincoated polymer:PCBM films is analyzed with dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (dSIMS). The dSIMS depth profiles demonstrate compositional variations perpendicular to the surface plane, as a result of vertical phase separation, directed by the substrate. These variations propagate to a higher degree through the film for the polymers with a larger fraction of modified side chains. The surface composition of the films is studied by Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS). Quantitative analysis of the NEXAFS spectra through a linear combination fit with the spectra of the pure components yields the surface composition. The resulting blend ratios reveal polymer-enrichment of the film surface for all three blends, which also becomes stronger as the polar character of the polymer increases. Comparison of the NEXAFS spectra collected with two different sampling depths shows that the vertical composition gradient builds up already in the first nanometers underneath the surface of the films. The results obtained with this new series of polymers shed light on the onset of formation of lamellar structures in thin polymer:PCBM films prepared from highly volatile solvents.
|
|
| 6. |
- Arcos, D., et al.
(author)
-
Ordered Mesoporous Microspheres for Bone Grafting and Drug Delivery
- 2009
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 21:6, s. 1000-1009
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bioactive microspheres with ordered mesoporous structure have been synthesized by means of the evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) method and following an aerosol-assisted route. The bioactive microspheres belong to the SiO2-CaO-P2O5 systems, and the mesoporous structure closely depends on the structure-directing agent as well as its interaction with the Ca2+ cations during the mesophase formation. Among the different tested surfactants, the triblock copolymer F127 leads to hexagonal ordered structures for low CaO contents, P123 leads to wormlike mesoporous structures for any CaO content, whereas the ionic surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (C16TAB) does not produce accessible mesopores at the external surface, for any CaO content. All the mesoporous SiO2-CaO-P2O5 microspheres develop an apatite like layer when reacting with simulated body fluid. Preliminary tests indicate the capability to load and release triclosan with kinetic profiles that depend on the pore structure, thus showing interesting features to be used in periodontal regenerative surgery and infection profilaxis.
|
|
| 7. |
- Arnbjerg, Lene M., et al.
(author)
-
Structure and Dynamics for LiBH4-LiCl Solid Solutions
- 2009
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 21:24, s. 5772-5782
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A Surprisingly high degree of structural and compositional dynamics is observed in the system LiBH4-LiCl as a function of temperature and time. Rietveld refinement of synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (SR-PXD) data reveals that Cl- readily substitutes for BH4- in the Structure of LiBH4. Prolonged heating a sample of LiBH4-LiCl (1:1 molar ratio) above the phase transition temperature and below the melting point (108 < T < 275 degrees C) can produce highly chloride substituted hexagonal lithium borohydride, h-Li(BH4)(l-x)Cl-x, e.g., x similar to 0.42, after heating from room temperature (RT) to 224 degrees C at 2.5 degrees C/min. LiCl has a higher solubility in h-LiBH4 its compared to orthorhombic lithium borohydride, o-LiBH4, which is illustrated by a LiBH4-LiCl (1:1) sample equilibrated at 245 degrees C for 24 days and left at RT for another 13 months. Rietveld refinement reveals that this sample contains o-Li(BH4)(0.91)Cl-0.09 and LiCl. This illustrates a significantly faster dissolution of LiCl in h-LiBH4 its compared to a slower segregation of LiCl from o-LiBH4, which is also demonstrated by in situ SR-PXD from three cycles of heating and cooling of the same Li(BH4)(0.91)Cl-0.09 sample. The substitution of the smaller Cl- for the larger BH4- ion is clearly observed as a reduction in the unit cell volume as a function of time and temperature. A significant stabilization of h-LiBH4 is found to depend on the degree of anion substitution. Variable temperature solid-state magic-angle spinning (MAS) Li-7 and B-13 NMR experiments oil pure LiBH4 show an increase in full width at half maximum (fwhm) when approaching the phase transition from o- to h-LiBH4, which indicates an increase of the relaxation rate (i.e. T-2 decreases). A less pronounced effect is observed for ion-substituted Li(BH4)(1-x)Cl-x, 0.09 < x < 0.42. The MAS NMR experiments also demonstrate a higher degree of motion in the hexagonal phase, i.e., fwhm is reduced by more than a Factor of 10 at the o- to h-LiBH4 phase transition.
|
|
| 8. |
- Arvizu, Miguel A, et al.
(author)
-
Electrochromic W(1-x-y)Ti(x)lo(y)O(3) Thin Films Made by Sputter Deposition : Large Optical Modulation, Good Cycling Durability, and Approximate Color Neutrality
- 2017
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 29:5, s. 2246-2253
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tungsten oxide thin films are used in electrochromic devices such as variable-transmittance "smart windows" for energy efficient buildings with good indoor comfort. Two long-standing issues for WO3 thin films are their limited durability under electrochemical cycling and their blue color in transmission. Here, we show that both of these problems can be significantly alleviated by additions of titanium and molybdenum. We found that similar to 300 nm-thick films of sputter deposited W1-x-yTixMoyO3 are able to combine a midluminous transmittance modulation of 0.4 similar to 70% with good color neutrality and durability under extended electrochemical cycling. The Ti content should be similar to 10 at. % in order to achieve durability without impairing transmittance modulation significantly, and the Mo content preferably should be no larger than 6 at. % in order to maintain durability. Hence, our results give clear guidelines for making three-component mixed-oxide thin films that are suitable for electrochromic "smart windows".
|
|
| 9. |
- Atluri, Rambabu, 1981-, et al.
(author)
-
Hydrothermal Phase Transformation of Bicontinuous Cubic Mesoporous Material AMS-6
- 2008
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 20:12, s. 3857–3866-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The controlled synthesis of ordered anionic surfactant templated mesoporous silica with cubic Ia3d̅ structure (AMS-6) is reported via prolonged periods of hydrothermal treatment (HT). The cubic Ia3d̅ mesophase transforms to hexagonal p6mm after 8 days of HT at 100 °C. Surprisingly, the hexagonal phase is stable only for a limited period after which a reversal to the cubic Ia3d̅ mesostructure is observed. Characterization methods such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), N2-isotherms, magic-angle spinning (MAS) 29Si NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) have been employed to follow structural and textural changes of the materials prepared. Data show that the resultant mesostructure and its textural properties are highly dependent on the period of HT with less unit-cell shrinkage on calcination after extensive HT. Furthermore, evidence of two different solid−solid phase mechanisms during HT is presented. The initial transition is consistent with a restructuring of the surfactant packing and a depletion of the organic moieties from the organo-silica wall as evident from 29Si NMR spectroscopy. The return to the bicontinuous cubic phase is driven by changes in charge matching at the organic−inorganic interface as a result of increases in the polymerization of the silica wall. The textural properties, and in particular the presence or absence of surface porosity, has been controlled through variations in hydrothermal treatment. These are associated with specific growth directions of cubic AMS-6 crystals. The synthetic method described allows us to easily prepare phase pure and intermediate mesostructured nanoparticles.
|
|
| 10. |
- Bai, Sai, et al.
(author)
-
Reproducible Planar Heterojunction Solar Cells Based on One-Step Solution-Processed Methylammonium Lead Halide Perovskites
- 2017
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 29:1, s. 462-473
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Metal halide perovskites have been demonstrated as one of the most promising materials for low-cost and high-performance photovoltaic applications. However, due to the susceptible crystallization process of perovskite films on planar substrates and the high sensitivity of the physical and optoelectronic nature of the internal interfaces within the devices, researchers in different laboratories still experience poor reproducibility in fabricating efficient perovskite solar cells with planar heterojunction device structures. In this method paper, we present detailed information on the reagents, equipment, and procedures for the fabrication of planar perovskite solar cells in both "regular" n-i-p and "inverted" p-i-n architectures based on one-step solution-processed methylammonium lead triiodide (MAPbI(3)) perovskite films. We discuss key parameters affecting the crystallization of perovskite and the device interfaces. This method paper will provide a guideline for the reproducible fabrication of planar heterojunction solar cells based on MAPbI3 perovskite films. We believe that the shared experience on MA-based perovskite films and planar solar cells will be also useful for the optimization process of perovskites with varied compositions, and other emerging perovskite-based optoelectronic devices.
|
|
