A Library of Seed@High-Entropy-Alloy Core-shell Nanocrystals With Controlled Facets for Catalysis.

High-entropy-alloy (HEA) nanocrystals hold immense potential for catalysis, offering virtually unlimited alloy combinations through the inclusion of at least five constituent elements in varying ratios. However, general and effective strategies for synthesizing libraries of HEA nanocrystals with controlled surface atomic structures remain scarce. In this study, a transferable strategy for developing a library of facet-controlled seed@HEA nanocrystals through seed-mediated growth is presented.

(RPhP)[Mn(dca)]: A Family of Glass-Forming Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Materials.

ABX-type hybrid organic-inorganic structures have recently emerged as a new class of meltable materials. Here, by the use of phenylphosphonium derivatives as A cation, we study liquid- and glass-forming behavior of a new family of hybrid structures, (RPhP)[Mn(dca)] (R = Me, Et, Ph; dca = dicyanamide). These new compounds melt at 196-237 °C () and then vitrify upon cooling to room temperature, forming glasses.

Enhanced Catalytic Probe Design for Mapping Radical Density in the Plasma Afterglow.

The electrification of chemical processes using plasma generates an increasing demand for sensors, monitoring concentrations of plasma-activated species such as radicals. Radical probes are a low-cost in situ method for spatially resolved quantification of the radical density in a plasma afterglow using the heat from the exothermal recombination of radicals on a catalytic surface. However, distinguishing recombination heating from other heat fluxes in the system is challenging.

A novel application of inverse gas chromatography for estimating contact angles in porous media.

Hypothesis: Surface wettability is a critical factor in multi-phase flow within porous media, a processes essential in various applications e.g. in the energy sector.

Scanning Gas Diffusion Electrode Setup for Real-Time Analysis of Catalyst Layers.

The scanning gas diffusion electrode (S-GDE) half-cell is introduced as a new tool to improve the evaluation of electrodes used in electrochemical energy conversion technologies. It allows both fast screening and fundamental studies of real catalyst layers by applying coupled mass spectrometry techniques such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and online gas mass spectrometry. Hence, the proposed setup overcomes the limitations of aqueous model systems and full cell-level studies, bridging the gap between the two approaches.

The environmental impact in terms of CO of a large-scale train infrastructure considering the electrification of heavy-duty road transport.

The present study analyses the CO emission balance of a large-scale rail tunnel. The CO emissions during the construction phase are compared to possible savings during the operational phase, which can be achieved by shifting freight transport from road to rail. The Brenner Base Tunnel is used as case study.

Spatially resolved photoluminescence analysis of the role of Se in CdSeTe thin films.

Evidence from cross-sectional electron microscopy has previously shown that Se passivates defects in CdSeTe solar cells, and that this is the reason for better lifetimes and voltages in these devices. Here, we utilise spatially resolved photoluminescence measurements of CdSeTe thin films on glass to directly study the effects of Se on carrier recombination in the material, isolated from the impact of conductive interfaces and without the need to prepare cross-sections through the samples. We find further evidence to support Se passivation of grain boundaries, but also identify an increase in below-bandgap photoluminescence that indicates the presence of Se-enhanced defects in grain interiors.

Alkali metal cations enhance CO reduction by a Co molecular complex in a bipolar membrane electrolyzer.

The electrochemical reduction of CO is a promising pathway for converting CO into valuable fuels and chemicals. The local environment at the cathode of CO electrolyzers plays a key role in determining activity and selectivity, but currently some mechanisms are still under debate. In particular, alkali metal cations have been shown to enhance the selectivity of metal catalysts, but their role remains less explored for molecular catalysts especially in high-current electrolyzers.

Numbering up and sizing up gliding arc reactors to enhance the plasma-based synthesis of NO .

Non-thermal plasma-based NO synthesis from ambient air is receiving an increasing amount of interest for its potential in small-scale, sustainable fertilizer production. Nevertheless, most reported research focuses on lab-scale systems and a single reactor with limited production. In this work, two gliding arc reactors (GARs) with 2 mm discharge gaps were connected in series or in parallel to explore strategies for scaling up the productivity.

Time-resolved vibrational spectroscopic study of molecular nanoaggregate photocatalysts.

The controlled aggregation of organic chromophores into supramolecular structures offers a way to control and tune photocatalytic activity. However, the underlying mechanisms of charge transfer and accumulation are still unclear. Time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy is a powerful structural probe for studying photogenerated intermediates.

Investigating the validity of the hue-heat effect on thermal sensitivity.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the validity of the hue-heat effect on the body thermal sensitivity. Previous research on thermal comfort has proposed associations between red and warmth, and blue with cold. However, inconsistencies in confirming this effect have arisen, with studies often relying on subjective scales for thermal comfort assessment, introducing potential confounding variables.

Optimisation of dynamic nuclear polarisation using "off-the-shelf" Gd(III)-based polarising agents.

Complexes of paramagnetic metal ions, in particular Gd, have been demonstrated as efficient polarising agents for magic-angle spinning (MAS) dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP). We recently demonstrated that commercially available and inexpensive Gd(NO) is suitable for use as an "off-the-shelf" MAS DNP polarising agent, providing promising sensitivity enhancements to H, C, and N NMR signals. Here we expand upon this approach by investigating the impact of the Gd(NO) concentration and by exploring a larger range of readily available Gd sources.

Quantifying concentration distributions in redox flow batteries with neutron radiography.

The continued advancement of electrochemical technologies requires an increasingly detailed understanding of the microscopic processes that control their performance, inspiring the development of new multi-modal diagnostic techniques. Here, we introduce a neutron imaging approach to enable the quantification of spatial and temporal variations in species concentrations within an operating redox flow cell. Specifically, we leverage the high attenuation of redox-active organic materials (high hydrogen content) and supporting electrolytes (boron-containing) in solution and perform subtractive neutron imaging of active species and supporting electrolyte.

Unraveling NO Production in N-O Plasmas with 0D Kinetic Modeling and Experimental Validation.

This work presents a detailed investigation aimed at understanding the key mechanisms governing nitric oxide (NO) production in N-O discharges by systematically comparing experimental results to modeling data. The experimental phase capitalizes on radiofrequency (13.56 MHz) discharges, sustained at 5 mbar pressure conditions, featuring varying concentrations of oxygen, ranging from pure N plasma to air-like mixtures.

The Impact of Metal Centers in the M-MOF-74 Series on Formic Acid Production.

The confinement effect of porous materials on the thermodynamical equilibrium of the CO hydrogenation reaction presents a cost-effective alternative to transition metal catalysts. In metal-organic frameworks, the type of metal center has a greater impact on the enhancement of formic acid production than the scale of confinement resulting from the pore size. The M-MOF-74 series enables a comprehensive study of how different metal centers affect HCOOH production, minimizing the effect of pore size.

Influence of Submerged Arc Welding Current Intensity on the Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Pressure Vessel P355N Steel.

This article presents a study on the influence of the intensity of the welding current on the properties of the mechanical strain strength of welded joints made by using submerged arc welding technology. The influence of the welding current on the microstructure of the welded joints was also observed in different regions of the cross-section of the welding seam. Also subject to observation was the mode of influence of the welding current on the geometry and dimensions of the welding seams.

Unraveling the Role of the Stoichiometry of Atomic Layer Deposited Nickel Cobalt Oxides on the Oxygen Evolution Reaction.

Nickel cobalt oxides (NCOs) are promising, non-precious oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. However, the stoichiometry-dependent electrochemical behavior makes it crucial to understand the structure-OER relationship. In this work, NCO thin film model systems are prepared using atomic layer deposition.

Enhancement of Low Temperature Superionic Conductivity by Suppression of Li Site Ordering in LiSiGeSI.

Ge substitution into the recently discovered superionic conductor LiSiSI is demonstrated by synthesis of LiSiGeSI, where x≤1.2. The anion packing and tetrahedral silicon location of LiSiSI are retained upon substitution.

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of CuBiSeCl: A Chalcohalide Material with Low Thermal Conductivity.

Mixed anion halide-chalcogenide materials have recently attracted attention for a variety of applications, owing to their desirable optoelectronic properties. We report the synthesis of a previously unreported mixed-metal chalcohalide material, CuBiSeCl (), accessed through a simple, low-temperature solid-state route. The physical structure is characterized through single-crystal X-ray diffraction and reveals significant Cu displacement within the CuSeCl octahedra.

Conjugated Polymer/Recombinant Biohybrid Systems for Photobiocatalytic Hydrogen Production.

Biohybrid photocatalysts are composite materials that combine the efficient light-absorbing properties of synthetic materials with the highly evolved metabolic pathways and self-repair mechanisms of biological systems. Here, we show the potential of conjugated polymers as photosensitizers in biohybrid systems by combining a series of polymer nanoparticles with engineered cells. Under simulated solar light irradiation, the biohybrid system consisting of fluorene/dibenzo []thiophene sulfone copolymer (LP41) and recombinant (i.

Cation Distribution and Anion Transport in the LaGaGeO Langasite Structure.

Exploration of compositional disorder using conventional diffraction-based techniques is challenging for systems containing isoelectronic ions possessing similar coherent neutron scattering lengths. Here, we show that a multinuclear solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) approach provides compelling insight into the Ga/Ge cation distribution and oxygen anion transport in a family of solid electrolytes with langasite structure and LaGaGeO composition. Ultrahigh field Ga Magic Angle Spinning (MAS) NMR experiments acquired at 35.

Characterisation of formulated high-density poly(ethylene) by magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance.

High-density poly(ethylene) (HDPE) is an important class of polymer used extensively in plastic packaging as well as numerous other applications. HDPE has a structure that consists of crystalline (monoclinic and orthorhombic) and amorphous domains. Here, we exploit a range of approaches focusing on magic angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) aimed at comparing the effect of the HDPE sample formulation (cutting, shaving and cryomilling), from the commercially available manufactured pellets, into these domains and their quantification.

Environmental Quality bOX (EQ-OX): A Portable Device Embedding Low-Cost Sensors Tailored for Comprehensive Indoor Environmental Quality Monitoring.

The continuous monitoring of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) plays a crucial role in improving our understanding of the prominent parameters affecting building users' health and perception of their environment. In field studies, indoor environment monitoring often does not go beyond the assessment of air temperature, relative humidity, and CO concentration, lacking consideration of other important parameters due to budget constraints and the complexity of multi-dimensional signal analyses. In this paper, we introduce the Environmental Quality bOX (EQ-OX) system, which was designed for the simultaneous monitoring of quantities of some of the main IEQs with a low level of uncertainty and an affordable cost.