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Arenas Esteban D, Wang D, Kadu A, Olluyn N, Sánchez-Iglesias A, Gomez-Perez A, González-Casablanca J, Nicolopoulos S, Liz-Marzán LM, Bals S. Quantitative 3D structural analysis of small colloidal assemblies under native conditions by liquid-cell fast electron tomography. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6399. [PMID: 39080248 PMCID: PMC11289127 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50652-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Electron tomography has become a commonly used tool to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) structure of nanomaterials, including colloidal nanoparticle assemblies. However, electron microscopy is typically done under high-vacuum conditions, requiring sample preparation for assemblies obtained by wet colloid chemistry methods. This involves solvent evaporation and deposition on a solid support, which consistently alters the nanoparticle organization. Here, we suggest using electron tomography to study nanoparticle assemblies in their original colloidal liquid environment. To address the challenges related to electron tomography in liquid, we devise a method that combines fast data acquisition in a commercial liquid-cell with a dedicated alignment and reconstruction workflow. We present the advantages of this methodology in accurately characterizing two different systems. 3D reconstructions of assemblies comprising polystyrene-capped Au nanoparticles encapsulated in polymeric shells reveal less compact and more distorted configurations for experiments performed in a liquid medium compared to their dried counterparts. A similar expansion can be observed in quantitative analysis of the surface-to-surface distances of self-assembled Au nanorods in water rather than in a vacuum, in agreement with bulk measurements. This study, therefore, emphasizes the importance of developing high-resolution characterization tools that preserve the native environment of colloidal nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Arenas Esteban
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Da Wang
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Ajinkya Kadu
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
- Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Noa Olluyn
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ana Sánchez-Iglesias
- CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo de Miramon 182, 20009, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Paseo de Miramon 182, 20009, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Materials Physics Center, CSIC-UPV/EHU, Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal 5, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo de Miramon 182, 20009, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
- Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials, and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Paseo de Miramon 182, 20009, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013, Bilbao, Spain.
- Cinbio, Universidade de Vigo, 36310, Vigo, Spain.
| | - Sara Bals
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerp, Belgium.
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2
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Dhakshinamoorthy A, Li Z, Yang S, Garcia H. Metal-organic framework heterojunctions for photocatalysis. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:3002-3035. [PMID: 38353930 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00205e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Heterojunctions combining two photocatalysts of staggered conduction and valence band energy levels can increase the photocatalytic efficiency compared to their individual components. This activity enhancement is due to the minimization of undesirable charge recombination by the occurrence of carrier migration through the heterojunction interface with separated electrons and holes on the reducing and oxidizing junction component, respectively. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are currently among the most researched photocatalysts due to their tunable light absorption, facile charge separation, large surface area and porosity. The present review summarizes the current state-of-the-art in MOF-based heterojunctions, providing critical comments on the construction of these heterostructures. Besides including examples showing the better performance of MOF heterojunctions for three important photocatalytic processes, such as hydrogen evolution reaction, CO2 photoreduction and dye decolorization, the focus of this review is on describing synthetic procedures to form heterojunctions with MOFs and on discussing the experimental techniques that provide evidence for the operation of charge migration between the MOF and the other component. Special attention has been paid to the design of rational MOF heterojunctions with small particle size and controlled morphology for an appropriate interfacial contact. The final section summarizes the achievements of the field and provides our views on future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarajothi Dhakshinamoorthy
- Departamento de Química, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia 46022, Spain.
- School of Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai 625 021, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Zhaohui Li
- Research Institute of Photocatalysis, State Key Laboratory of Photocatalysis on Energy and Environment, College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, P. R. China
| | - Sihai Yang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Hermenegildo Garcia
- Departamento de Química/Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Química (CSIC-UPV), Universitat Politècnica de València, Avda. de los Naranjos s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
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3
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Weisbord I, Segal-Peretz T. Revealing the 3D Structure of Block Copolymers with Electron Microscopy: Current Status and Future Directions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:58003-58022. [PMID: 37338172 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c02956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers (BCPs) are considered model systems for understanding and utilizing self-assembly in soft matter. Their tunable nanometric structure and composition enable comprehensive studies of self-assembly processes as well as make them relevant materials in diverse applications. A key step in developing and controlling BCP nanostructures is a full understanding of their three-dimensional (3D) structure and how this structure is affected by the BCP chemistry, confinement, boundary conditions, and the self-assembly evolution and dynamics. Electron microscopy (EM) is a leading method in BCP 3D characterization owing to its high resolution in imaging nanosized structures. Here we discuss the two main 3D EM methods: namely, transmission EM tomography and slice and view scanning EM tomography. We present each method's principles, examine their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss ways researchers have devised to overcome some of the challenges in BCP 3D characterization with EM- from specimen preparation to imaging radiation-sensitive materials. Importantly, we review current and new cutting-edge EM methods such as direct electron detectors, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy of soft matter, high temporal rate imaging, and single-particle analysis that have great potential for expanding the BCP understanding through EM in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbal Weisbord
- Chemical Engineering Department, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Tamar Segal-Peretz
- Chemical Engineering Department, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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4
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Mosquera J, Wang D, Bals S, Liz-Marzán LM. Surfactant Layers on Gold Nanorods. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:1204-1212. [PMID: 37155922 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusGold nanorods (Au NRs) are an exceptionally promising tool in nanotechnology due to three key factors: (i) their strong interaction with electromagnetic radiation, stemming from their plasmonic nature, (ii) the ease with which the resonance frequency of their longitudinal plasmon mode can be tuned from the visible to the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum based on their aspect ratio, and (iii) their simple and cost-effective preparation through seed-mediated chemical growth. In this synthetic method, surfactants play a critical role in controlling the size, shape, and colloidal stability of Au NRs. For example, surfactants can stabilize specific crystallographic facets during the formation of Au NRs, leading to the formation of NRs with specific morphologies.The process of surfactant adsorption onto the NR surface may result in various assemblies of surfactant molecules, such as spherical micelles, elongated micelles, or bilayers. Again, the assembly mode is critical toward determining the further availability of the Au NR surface to the surrounding medium. Despite its importance and a great deal of research effort, the interaction between Au NPs and surfactants remains insufficiently understood, because the assembly process is influenced by numerous factors, including the chemical nature of the surfactant, the surface morphology of Au NPs, and solution parameters. Therefore, gaining a more comprehensive understanding of these interactions is essential to unlock the full potential of the seed-mediated growth method and the applications of plasmonic NPs. A plethora of characterization techniques have been applied to reach such an understanding, but many open questions remain.In this Account, we review the current knowledge on the interactions between surfactants and Au NRs. We briefly introduce the state-of-the-art methods for synthesizing Au NRs and highlight the crucial role of cationic surfactants during this process. The self-assembly and organization of surfactants on the Au NR surface is then discussed to better understand their role in seed-mediated growth. Subsequently, we provide examples and elucidate how chemical additives can be used to modulate micellar assemblies, in turn allowing for a finer control over the growth of Au NRs, including chiral NRs. Next, we review the main experimental characterization and computational modeling techniques that have been applied to shed light on the arrangement of surfactants on Au NRs and summarize the advantages and disadvantages for each technique. The Account ends with a "Conclusions and Outlook" section, outlining promising future research directions and developments that we consider are still required, mostly related to the application of electron microscopy in liquid and in 3D. Finally, we remark on the potential of exploiting machine learning techniques to predict synthetic routes for NPs with predefined structures and properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Mosquera
- Universidade da Coruña, CICA - Centro Interdisciplinar de Química e Bioloxía, Rúa as Carballeiras, 15071 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Da Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Optical Information Materials and Technology, Institute of Electronic Paper Displays, South China Academy of Advanced Optoelectronics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sara Bals
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) and CIBER-BBN, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
- Cinbio, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
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5
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Zhang Y, Yang X, Zhao SN, Zhai Y, Pang X, Lin J. Recent Developments of Microscopic Study for Lanthanide and Manganese Doped Luminescent Materials. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2205014. [PMID: 36310419 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202205014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Luminescent materials are indispensable for applications in lighting, displays and photovoltaics, which can transfer, absorb, store and utilize light energy. Their performance is closely related with their size and morphologies, exact atomic arrangement, and local configuration about photofunctional centers. Advanced electron microscopy-based techniques have enabled the possibility to study nanostructures with atomic resolution. Especially, with the advanced micro-electro-mechanical systems, it is able to characterize the luminescent materials at the atomic scale under various environments, providing a deep understanding of the luminescent mechanism. Accordingly, this review summarizes the recent achievements of microscopic study to directly image the microstructure and local environment of activators in lanthanide and manganese (Ln/Mn2+ )-doped luminescent materials, including: 1) bulk materials, the typical systems are nitride/oxynitride phosphors; and 2) nanomaterials, such as nanocrystals (hexagonal-phase NaLnF4 and perovskite) and 2D nanosheets (Ca2 Ta3 O10 and MoS2 ). Finally, the challenges and limitations are highlighted, and some possible solutions to facilitate the developments of advanced luminescent materials are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xuewei Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shu-Na Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Yalong Zhai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Xinchang Pang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jun Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China
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6
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de la Encarnación C, Jimenez de Aberasturi D, Liz-Marzán LM. Multifunctional plasmonic-magnetic nanoparticles for bioimaging and hyperthermia. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 189:114484. [PMID: 35944586 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Multicompartment nanoparticles have raised great interest for different biomedical applications, thanks to the combined properties of different materials within a single entity. These hybrid systems have opened new avenues toward diagnosis and combination therapies, thus becoming preferred theranostic agents. When hybrid nanoparticles comprise magnetic and plasmonic components, both magnetic and optical properties can be achieved, which are potentially useful for multimodal bioimaging, hyperthermal therapies and magnetically driven selective delivery. Nanostructures comprising iron oxide and gold are usually selected for biomedical applications, as they display size-dependent properties, biocompatibility, and unique physical and chemical characteristics that can be tuned through highly precise synthetic protocols. We provide herein an overview of the most recent synthetic protocols to prepare magnetic-plasmonic nanostructures made of iron oxide and gold, to then highlight the progress made on multifunctional magnetic-plasmonic bioimaging and heating-based therapies. We discuss the advantages and limitations of the various systems in these directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina de la Encarnación
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Department of Applied Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Dorleta Jimenez de Aberasturi
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramón 194, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; CIBER-BBN, ISCIII, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain.
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7
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Jenkinson K, Liz-Marzán LM, Bals S. Multimode Electron Tomography Sheds Light on Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Complex Metal-Based Nanoparticles. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2110394. [PMID: 35438805 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202110394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Electron tomography has become a cornerstone technique for the visualization of nanoparticle morphology in three dimensions. However, to obtain in-depth information about a nanoparticle beyond surface faceting and morphology, different electron microscopy signals must be combined. The most notable examples of these combined signals include annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM) with different collection angles and the combination of ADF-STEM with energy-dispersive X-ray or electron energy loss spectroscopies. Here, the experimental and computational development of various multimode tomography techniques in connection to the fundamental materials science challenges that multimode tomography has been instrumental to overcoming are summarized. Although the techniques can be applied to a wide variety of compositions, the study is restricted to metal and metal oxide nanoparticles for the sake of simplicity. Current challenges and future directions of multimode tomography are additionally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie Jenkinson
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2020, Belgium
| | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, 20014, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Bioingeniería Biomateriales, y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), Donostia-San Sebastián, 20014, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, 48009, Spain
| | - Sara Bals
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, 2020, Belgium
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8
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Wang Z, Ke X, Sui M. Recent Progress on Revealing 3D Structure of Electrocatalysts Using Advanced 3D Electron Tomography: A Mini Review. Front Chem 2022; 10:872117. [PMID: 35355785 PMCID: PMC8959462 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.872117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Electrocatalysis plays a key role in clean energy innovation. In order to design more efficient, durable and selective electrocatalysts, a thorough understanding of the unique link between 3D structures and properties is essential yet challenging. Advanced 3D electron tomography offers an effective approach to reveal 3D structures by transmission electron microscopy. This mini-review summarizes recent progress on revealing 3D structures of electrocatalysts using 3D electron tomography. 3D electron tomography at nanoscale and atomic scale are discussed, respectively, where morphology, composition, porous structure, surface crystallography and atomic distribution can be revealed and correlated to the performance of electrocatalysts. (Quasi) in-situ 3D electron tomography is further discussed with particular focus on its impact on electrocatalysts' durability investigation and post-treatment. Finally, perspectives on future developments of 3D electron tomography for eletrocatalysis is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaoxing Ke
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microstructure and Properties of Solids, Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Manling Sui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microstructure and Properties of Solids, Faculty of Materials and Manufacturing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
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9
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Zhang W, Lopez H, Boselli L, Bigini P, Perez-Potti A, Xie Z, Castagnola V, Cai Q, Silveira CP, de Araujo JM, Talamini L, Panini N, Ristagno G, Violatto MB, Devineau S, Monopoli MP, Salmona M, Giannone VA, Lara S, Dawson KA, Yan Y. A Nanoscale Shape-Discovery Framework Supporting Systematic Investigations of Shape-Dependent Biological Effects and Immunomodulation. ACS NANO 2022; 16:1547-1559. [PMID: 34958549 PMCID: PMC8793145 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c10074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Since it is now possible to make, in a controlled fashion, an almost unlimited variety of nanostructure shapes, it is of increasing interest to understand the forms of biological control that nanoscale shape allows. However, a priori rational investigation of such a vast universe of shapes appears to present intractable fundamental and practical challenges. This has limited the useful systematic investigation of their biological interactions and the development of innovative nanoscale shape-dependent therapies. Here, we introduce a concept of biologically relevant inductive nanoscale shape discovery and evaluation that is ideally suited to, and will ultimately become, a vehicle for machine learning discovery. Combining the reproducibility and tunability of microfluidic flow nanochemistry syntheses, quantitative computational shape analysis, and iterative feedback from biological responses in vitro and in vivo, we show that these challenges can be mastered, allowing shape biology to be explored within accepted scientific and biomedical research paradigms. Early applications identify significant forms of shape-induced biological and adjuvant-like immunological control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Guangdong
Provincial Education Department Key Laboratory of Nano-Immunoregulation
Tumor Microenvironment, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong P.R. China
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Hender Lopez
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- School
of Physics and Optometric & Clinical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, Grangegorman D07XT95, Ireland
| | - Luca Boselli
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Paolo Bigini
- Istituto
di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - André Perez-Potti
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Zengchun Xie
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Valentina Castagnola
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Qi Cai
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Camila P. Silveira
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Joao M. de Araujo
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- Departamento
de Física Teórica e Experimental, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 59078970 Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Laura Talamini
- Istituto
di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolò Panini
- Istituto
di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ristagno
- Department
of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Martina B. Violatto
- Istituto
di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Stéphanie Devineau
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Marco P. Monopoli
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Mario Salmona
- Istituto
di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria A. Giannone
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sandra Lara
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Kenneth A. Dawson
- Guangdong
Provincial Education Department Key Laboratory of Nano-Immunoregulation
Tumor Microenvironment, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510260, Guangdong P.R. China
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Yan Yan
- Centre
for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
- School of
Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular
and Biomedical Research, University College
Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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10
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Arslan Irmak E, Liu P, Bals S, Van Aert S. 3D Atomic Structure of Supported Metallic Nanoparticles Estimated from 2D ADF STEM Images: A Combination of Atom-Counting and a Local Minima Search Algorithm. SMALL METHODS 2021; 5:e2101150. [PMID: 34928008 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202101150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Determining the 3D atomic structure of nanoparticles (NPs) is critical to understand their structure-dependent properties. It is hereby important to perform such analyses under conditions relevant for the envisioned application. Here, the 3D structure of supported Au NPs at high temperature, which is of importance to understand their behavior during catalytic reactions, is investigated. To overcome limitations related to conventional high-resolution electron tomography at high temperature, 3D characterization of NPs with atomic resolution has been performed by applying atom-counting using atomic resolution annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF STEM) images followed by structural relaxation. However, at high temperatures, thermal displacements, which affect the ADF STEM intensities, should be taken into account. Moreover, it is very likely that the structure of an NP investigated at elevated temperature deviates from a ground state configuration, which is difficult to determine using purely computational energy minimization approaches. In this paper, an optimized approach is therefore proposed using an iterative local minima search algorithm followed by molecular dynamics structural relaxation of candidate structures associated with each local minimum. In this manner, it becomes possible to investigate the 3D atomic structure of supported NPs, which may deviate from their ground state configuration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ece Arslan Irmak
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pei Liu
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sara Bals
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Aert
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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11
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12
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NUDIM: A non-uniform fast Fourier transform based dual-space constraint iterative reconstruction method in biological electron tomography. J Struct Biol 2021; 213:107770. [PMID: 34303831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsb.2021.107770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Electron tomography, a powerful imaging tool for studying 3D structures of macromolecular assemblies, always suffers from imperfect reconstruction with limited resolution due to the intrinsic low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and inaccessibility to certain tilt angles induced by radiation damage or mechanical limitation. In order to compensate for such insufficient data with low SNR and further improve imaging resolution, prior knowledge constraints about the objects in both real space and reciprocal space are thus exploited during tomographic reconstruction. However, direct Fast Fourier transform (FFT) between real space and reciprocal space remains extraordinarily challenging owing to their inconsistent grid sampling modes, e.g. regular and uniform grid sampling in real space whereas radial or polar grid sampling in reciprocal space. In order to solve such problem, a technique of non-uniform fast Fourier transform (NFFT) has been developed to transform efficiently between non-uniformly sampled grids in real and reciprocal space with sufficient accuracy. In this work, a Non-Uniform fast Fourier transform based Dual-space constraint Iterative reconstruction Method (NUDIM) applicable to biological electron tomography is proposed with a combination of basic concepts from equally sloped tomography (EST) and NFFT based reconstruction. In NUDIM, the use of NFFT can circumvent such grid sampling inconsistency and thus alleviate the stringent equally-sloped sampling requirement in EST reconstruction, while the dual-space constraint iterative procedure can dramatically enhance reconstruction quality. In comparison with conventional reconstruction methods, NUDIM is numerically and experimentally demonstrated to produce superior reconstruction quality with higher contrast, less noise and reduced missing wedge artifacts. More importantly, it is also capable of retrieving part of missing information from a limited number of projections.
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Quantitative 3D real-space analysis of Laves phase supraparticles. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3980. [PMID: 34172743 PMCID: PMC8233429 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24227-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Assembling binary mixtures of nanoparticles into crystals, gives rise to collective properties depending on the crystal structure and the individual properties of both species. However, quantitative 3D real-space analysis of binary colloidal crystals with a thickness of more than 10 layers of particles has rarely been performed. Here we demonstrate that an excess of one species in the binary nanoparticle mixture suppresses the formation of icosahedral order in the self-assembly in droplets, allowing the study of bulk-like binary crystal structures with a spherical morphology also called supraparticles. As example of the approach, we show single-particle level analysis of over 50 layers of Laves phase binary crystals of hard-sphere-like nanoparticles using electron tomography. We observe a crystalline lattice composed of a random mixture of the Laves phases. The number ratio of the binary species in the crystal lattice matches that of a perfect Laves crystal. Our methodology can be applied to study the structure of a broad range of binary crystals, giving insights into the structure formation mechanisms and structure-property relations of nanomaterials. 3D real-space analysis of thick nanoparticle crystals is non-trivial. Here, the authors demonstrate the structural analysis of a bulk-like Laves phase by imaging an off-stoichiometric binary mixture of hard-sphere-like nanoparticles in spherical confinement by electron tomography, enabling defect analysis on the single-particle level.
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Albrecht W, Van Aert S, Bals S. Three-Dimensional Nanoparticle Transformations Captured by an Electron Microscope. Acc Chem Res 2021; 54:1189-1199. [PMID: 33566587 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
ConspectusThree-dimensional (3D) morphology and composition govern the properties of nanoparticles (NPs). However, due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, the morphology and composition of nanomaterials are not as static as those for their bulk counterparts. One major influence is the increase in relative contribution of surface diffusion, which underlines rapid reshaping of NPs in response to changes in their environment. If not accounted for, these effects might affect the robustness of prospective NPs in practically relevant conditions, such as elevated temperatures, intense light illumination, or changing chemical environments. In situ techniques are promising tools to study NP transformations under relevant conditions. Among those tools, in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides an elegant platform to directly visualize NP changes down to the atomic scale. By the use of specialized holders or microscopes, external stimuli, such as heat, or environments, such as gas and liquids, can be controllably introduced inside the TEM. In addition, TEM is also a valuable tool to determine NP transformations upon ex situ stimuli such as laser excitation. However, standard TEM yields two-dimensional (2D) projection images of 3D objects. With the growing complexity of NP shapes and compositions, the information that is obtained in this manner is often insufficient to understand intricate diffusion dynamics.In this Account, we describe recent progress on measuring NP transformations in 3D inside the electron microscope. First, we discuss existing possibilities to obtain 3D information using either tomographic methods or the so-called atom counting technique, which utilizes single projection images. Next, we show how these techniques can be combined with in situ holders to quantify diffusion processes on a single nanoparticle level. Specifically, we focus on anisotropic metal NPs at elevated temperatures and in varying gas environments. Anisotropic metal NPs are important for plasmonic applications, because sharp tips and edges result in strong electromagnetic field enhancements. By electron tomography, surface diffusion as well as elemental diffusion can be tracked in monometallic and bimetallic NPs, which can then be directly related to changes in plasmonic properties of these systems. By atom counting, it has furthermore become possible to monitor the evolution of crystalline facets of metal NPs under gas and heat treatments, a change that influences catalytic properties. Next to in situ processes, we also demonstrate the value of electron tomography to assess external laser-induced NP transformations, making it viable to detect structural changes with atomic resolution. The application of the proposed methodologies is by far not limited to metal nanoparticles. In the final section, we therefore outline future material research that can benefit from tracking NP transformations from 3D techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Albrecht
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Aert
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sara Bals
- EMAT and NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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15
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Vanrompay H, Skorikov A, Bladt E, Béché A, Freitag B, Verbeeck J, Bals S. Fast versus conventional HAADF-STEM tomography of nanoparticles: advantages and challenges. Ultramicroscopy 2020; 221:113191. [PMID: 33321424 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2020.113191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
HAADF-STEM tomography is a widely used experimental technique for analyzing nanometer-scale structures of a large variety of materials in three dimensions. It is especially useful for studying crystalline nanoparticles, where conventional TEM tomography suffers from diffraction-related artefacts. Unfortunately, the acquisition of a HAADF-STEM tilt series can easily take up one hour or more, depending on the complexity of the experiment. It is therefore challenging to investigate samples that do not withstand long electron beam illumination or to acquire a large number of tilt series during a single TEM experiment. The latter would facilitate obtaining more statistically representative 3D data, and enable performing dynamic in situ 3D characterizations with a finer time resolution. Various HAADF-STEM acquisition strategies have been proposed to accelerate the tomographic acquisition and reduce the required electron dose. These methods include tilting the holder continuously while acquiring a projection "movie" and a hybrid, incremental, methodology which combines the benefits of the conventional and continuous technique. However, until now an experimental evaluation of these techniques has been lacking. In this paper, the different acquisition strategies will be experimentally compared in terms of speed, resolution and electron dose. This evaluation will be performed based on experimental tilt series, acquired for various metallic nanoparticles with different shapes and sizes. We discuss the necessary data processing and provide a general guideline that can be used to determine the most optimal acquisition strategy for specific electron tomography experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Vanrompay
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alexander Skorikov
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Eva Bladt
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Armand Béché
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bert Freitag
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Achtseweg Noord 5, 5651 GG Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Verbeeck
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sara Bals
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium; NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
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16
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Deng K, Luo Z, Tan L, Quan Z. Self-assembly of anisotropic nanoparticles into functional superstructures. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:6002-6038. [PMID: 32692337 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00541j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Self-assembly of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) into superstructures offers a flexible and promising pathway to manipulate the nanometer-sized particles and thus make full use of their unique properties. This bottom-up strategy builds a bridge between the NP regime and a new class of transformative materials across multiple length scales for technological applications. In this field, anisotropic NPs with size- and shape-dependent physical properties as self-assembly building blocks have long fascinated scientists. Self-assembly of anisotropic NPs not only opens up exciting opportunities to engineer a variety of intriguing and complex superlattice architectures, but also provides access to discover emergent collective properties that stem from their ordered arrangement. Thus, this has stimulated enormous research interests in both fundamental science and technological applications. This present review comprehensively summarizes the latest advances in this area, and highlights their rich packing behaviors from the viewpoint of NP shape. We provide the basics of the experimental techniques to produce NP superstructures and structural characterization tools, and detail the delicate assembled structures. Then the current understanding of the assembly dynamics is discussed with the assistance of in situ studies, followed by emergent collective properties from these NP assemblies. Finally, we end this article with the remaining challenges and outlook, hoping to encourage further research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerong Deng
- Department of Chemistry, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies, Ministry of Education, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
| | - Zhishan Luo
- Department of Chemistry, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies, Ministry of Education, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
| | - Li Tan
- Department of Chemistry, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies, Ministry of Education, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
| | - Zewei Quan
- Department of Chemistry, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion and Storage Technologies, Ministry of Education, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China.
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17
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González-Rubio G, Milagres de Oliveira T, Albrecht W, Díaz-Núñez P, Castro-Palacio JC, Prada A, González RI, Scarabelli L, Bañares L, Rivera A, Liz-Marzán LM, Peña-Rodríguez O, Bals S, Guerrero-Martínez A. Formation of Hollow Gold Nanocrystals by Nanosecond Laser Irradiation. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:670-677. [PMID: 31905285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.9b03574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The irradiation of spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with nanosecond laser pulses induces shape transformations yielding nanocrystals with an inner cavity. The concentration of the stabilizing surfactant, the use of moderate pulse fluences, and the size of the irradiated AuNPs determine the efficiency of the process and the nature of the void. Hollow nanocrystals are obtained when molecules from the surrounding medium (e.g., water and organic matter derived from the surfactant) are trapped during laser pulse irradiation. These experimental observations suggest the existence of a subtle balance between the heating and cooling processes experienced by the nanocrystals, which induce their expansion and subsequent recrystallization keeping exogenous matter inside. The described approach provides valuable insight into the mechanism of interaction of a pulsed nanosecond laser with AuNPs, along with interesting prospects for the development of hollow plasmonic nanoparticles with potential applications related to gas and liquid storage at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo González-Rubio
- CIC biomaGUNE and CIBER-BBN , Paseo de Miramón 182 , 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián , Spain
- Departamento de Química Física , Universidad Complutense de Madrid , Avenida Complutense s/n , 28040 Madrid , Spain
| | | | - Wiebke Albrecht
- EMAT , University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171 , B-2020 Antwerp , Belgium
| | - Pablo Díaz-Núñez
- Instituto de Fusión Nuclear "Guillermo Velarde" , Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 , E-28006 Madrid , Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Castro-Palacio
- Instituto de Fusión Nuclear "Guillermo Velarde" , Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 , E-28006 Madrid , Spain
| | - Alejandro Prada
- Departamento de Computación e Ingenierías, Facultad de Ciencias de la Ingeniería , Universidad Católica del Maule , 3480112 Maule , Chile
- Centro de Nanotecnología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias , Universidad Mayor , 8580745 Santiago , Chile
| | - Rafael I González
- Centro de Nanotecnología Aplicada, Facultad de Ciencias , Universidad Mayor , 8580745 Santiago , Chile
- Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA) , Universidad de Santiago de Chile , 9170022 Santiago , Chile
| | - Leonardo Scarabelli
- CIC biomaGUNE and CIBER-BBN , Paseo de Miramón 182 , 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián , Spain
| | - Luis Bañares
- Departamento de Química Física , Universidad Complutense de Madrid , Avenida Complutense s/n , 28040 Madrid , Spain
- Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados en Nanociencia (IMDEA Nanoscience) , Cantoblanco , 28049 Madrid , Spain
| | - Antonio Rivera
- Instituto de Fusión Nuclear "Guillermo Velarde" , Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 , E-28006 Madrid , Spain
- Departamento de Ingeniería Energética, ETSII Industriales , Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 , E-28006 Madrid , Spain
| | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- CIC biomaGUNE and CIBER-BBN , Paseo de Miramón 182 , 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián , Spain
- Ikerbasque (Basque Foundation for Science) , 48013 Bilbao , Spain
| | - Ovidio Peña-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Fusión Nuclear "Guillermo Velarde" , Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 , E-28006 Madrid , Spain
- Departamento de Ingeniería Energética, ETSII Industriales , Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 , E-28006 Madrid , Spain
| | - Sara Bals
- EMAT , University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171 , B-2020 Antwerp , Belgium
| | - Andrés Guerrero-Martínez
- Departamento de Química Física , Universidad Complutense de Madrid , Avenida Complutense s/n , 28040 Madrid , Spain
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18
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Li C, Lee AL, Chen X, Pomerantz WCK, Haynes CL, Hogan CJ. Multidimensional Nanoparticle Characterization through Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry. Anal Chem 2020; 92:2503-2510. [PMID: 31913020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.9b04012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Multidimensional techniques that combine fully or partially orthogonal characterization methods in a single setup often provide a more comprehensive description of analytes. When applied to nanoparticles, they have the potential to reveal particle properties not accessible to more conventional 1D techniques. Herein, we apply recently developed 2D characterization techniques to nanoparticles using atmospheric-pressure ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS), and we demonstrate the analytical capability of this approach using ultraporous mesostructured silica nanoparticles (UMNs). We show that IM-MS yields a 2D particle size-mass distribution function, which in turn can be used to calculate not only important 1D distributions, i.e. particle size distributions, but also nanoparticle structural property distributions not accessible by other methods, including size-dependent particle porosity and the specific pore volume distribution function. IM-MS measurement accuracy was confirmed by measurement of NIST-certified polystyrene latex particle standards. For UMNs, comparison of IM-MS results with TEM and N2 physisorption yields quantitative agreement in particle size and qualitative agreement in average specific pore volume. IM-MS uniquely shows how within a single UMN population, porosity increases with increasing particle size, consistent with the proposed UMN growth mechanism. In total, we demonstrate the potential of IM-MS as a standard approach for the characterization of structurally complex nanoparticle populations, as it yields size-specific structural distribution functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Amani L Lee
- Department of Chemistry , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Xiaoshuang Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - William C K Pomerantz
- Department of Chemistry , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Christy L Haynes
- Department of Chemistry , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
| | - Christopher J Hogan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , University of Minnesota , Minneapolis , Minnesota 55455 , United States
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19
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Angular X-Ray Cross-Correlation Analysis (AXCCA): Basic Concepts and Recent Applications to Soft Matter and Nanomaterials. MATERIALS 2019; 12:ma12213464. [PMID: 31652689 PMCID: PMC6862311 DOI: 10.3390/ma12213464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Angular X-ray cross-correlation analysis (AXCCA) is a technique which allows quantitative measurement of the angular anisotropy of X-ray diffraction patterns and provides insights into the orientational order in the system under investigation. This method is based on the evaluation of the angular cross-correlation function of the scattered intensity distribution on a two-dimensional (2D) detector and further averaging over many diffraction patterns for enhancement of the anisotropic signal. Over the last decade, AXCCA was successfully used to study the anisotropy in various soft matter systems, such as solutions of anisotropic particles, liquid crystals, colloidal crystals, superlattices composed by nanoparticles, etc. This review provides an introduction to the technique and gives a survey of the recent experimental work in which AXCCA in combination with micro- or nanofocused X-ray microscopy was used to study the orientational order in various soft matter systems.
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20
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Li R, Ripoll M, Reddy N, Dhont JKG, Dierick R, Hens Z, Clasen C. Tumbling of Quantum Dots: Rheo-Optics. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2018; 34:14633-14642. [PMID: 30392379 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b02498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Linear flow dichroism is shown to be a powerful tool to characterize the hydrodynamic dimensions of extremely small nonspherical colloids in solution. Dispersions of prolate and oblate quantum dots (QDs) are employed to investigate the validity of flow dichroism as a characterization tool. Shape-anisotropic QDs are important from an application perspective, where it is necessary to have a good knowledge of their hydrodynamic dimensions to predict and control their orientation during solution processing. Flow dichroism quantifies the tumbling motion of QDs in shear flow by optical means, which provides a characteristic signature of the particle shape, hydrodynamic friction, and size distribution. The effects of particle size and shape, size polydispersity, and shear rate on the temporal evolution of the flow-induced alignment are discussed in detail on the basis of numerical solutions of the Smoluchowski equation that describes the motion for the probability of the orientation of colloids in shear flow. It is shown that the combination of flow-dichroism experiments and the theoretical approach on the basis of the Smoluchowski equation provides a means to measure hydrodynamic aspect ratios and polydispersity, which for such small particles is not feasible with standard methods similar to light scattering. Flow dichroism will be useful not only for shape-anisotropic colloidal QDs, but also for other nanoscale systems.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Naveen Reddy
- Hasselt University , Martelarenlaan 42 , 3500 Hasselt , Belgium
- IMO-IMOMEC , Wetenschapspark 1 , 3590 Diepenbeek , Belgium
| | - Jan K G Dhont
- Department of Physics , Heinrich-Heine Universität Düsseldorf , 40225 Düsseldorf , Germany
| | - Ruben Dierick
- Center for Nano- and Bio-Photonics , Ghent University , 9052 Gent , Belgium
| | - Zeger Hens
- Center for Nano- and Bio-Photonics , Ghent University , 9052 Gent , Belgium
- Physics and Chemistry of Nanostructures , Ghent University , 9000 Gent , Belgium
| | - Christian Clasen
- Department of Chemical Engineering , KU Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200 F , 3001 Leuven , Belgium
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21
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Liu HK, Ren LJ, Wu H, Ma YL, Richter S, Godehardt M, Kübel C, Wang W. Unraveling the Self-Assembly of Heterocluster Janus Dumbbells into Hybrid Cubosomes with Internal Double-Diamond Structure. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 141:831-839. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b08016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Kai Liu
- Center for Synthetic Soft Materials, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education and Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Li-Jun Ren
- Center for Synthetic Soft Materials, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education and Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Han Wu
- Center for Synthetic Soft Materials, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education and Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yong-Li Ma
- Center for Synthetic Soft Materials, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education and Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sven Richter
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik, Fraunhofer-Platz 1, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Michael Godehardt
- Fraunhofer-Institut für Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik, Fraunhofer-Platz 1, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Christian Kübel
- Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility and Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany
| | - Wei Wang
- Center for Synthetic Soft Materials, Key Laboratory of Functional Polymer Materials of Ministry of Education and Institute of Polymer Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, People’s Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, People’s Republic of China
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Mourdikoudis S, Pallares RM, Thanh NTK. Characterization techniques for nanoparticles: comparison and complementarity upon studying nanoparticle properties. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:12871-12934. [PMID: 29926865 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr02278j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 579] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructures have attracted huge interest as a rapidly growing class of materials for many applications. Several techniques have been used to characterize the size, crystal structure, elemental composition and a variety of other physical properties of nanoparticles. In several cases, there are physical properties that can be evaluated by more than one technique. Different strengths and limitations of each technique complicate the choice of the most suitable method, while often a combinatorial characterization approach is needed. In addition, given that the significance of nanoparticles in basic research and applications is constantly increasing, it is necessary that researchers from separate fields overcome the challenges in the reproducible and reliable characterization of nanomaterials, after their synthesis and further process (e.g. annealing) stages. The principal objective of this review is to summarize the present knowledge on the use, advances, advantages and weaknesses of a large number of experimental techniques that are available for the characterization of nanoparticles. Different characterization techniques are classified according to the concept/group of the technique used, the information they can provide, or the materials that they are destined for. We describe the main characteristics of the techniques and their operation principles and we give various examples of their use, presenting them in a comparative mode, when possible, in relation to the property studied in each case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos Mourdikoudis
- Biophysics Group, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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23
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Ustarroz J, Ornelas IM, Zhang G, Perry D, Kang M, Bentley CL, Walker M, Unwin PR. Mobility and Poisoning of Mass-Selected Platinum Nanoclusters during the Oxygen Reduction Reaction. ACS Catal 2018. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.8b00553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jon Ustarroz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
- Research Group Electrochemical and Surface Engineering (SURF), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Isabel M. Ornelas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
- Nanoscale Physics, Chemistry and Engineering Research Laboratory, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Guohui Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - David Perry
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Minkyung Kang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | | | - Marc Walker
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
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Abstract
Amyloid fibrils, which are closely associated with various neurodegenerative diseases, are the final products in many protein aggregation pathways. The identification of fibrils at low concentration is, therefore, pivotal in disease diagnosis and development of therapeutic strategies. We report a methodology for the specific identification of amyloid fibrils using chiroptical effects in plasmonic nanoparticles. The formation of amyloid fibrils based on α-synuclein was probed using gold nanorods, which showed no apparent interaction with monomeric proteins but effective adsorption onto fibril structures via noncovalent interactions. The amyloid structure drives a helical nanorod arrangement, resulting in intense optical activity at the surface plasmon resonance wavelengths. This sensing technique was successfully applied to human brain homogenates of patients affected by Parkinson's disease, wherein protein fibrils related to the disease were identified through chiral signals from Au nanorods in the visible and near IR, whereas healthy brain samples did not exhibit any meaningful optical activity. The technique was additionally extended to the specific detection of infectious amyloids formed by prion proteins, thereby confirming the wide potential of the technique. The intense chiral response driven by strong dipolar coupling in helical Au nanorod arrangements allowed us to detect amyloid fibrils down to nanomolar concentrations.
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Zhu L, He J, Wang X, Li D, He H, Ren L, Jiang B, Wang Y, Teng C, Xue G, Tao H. Supramolecular Gel-Templated In Situ Synthesis and Assembly of CdS Quantum Dots Gels. NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2017; 12:30. [PMID: 28084613 PMCID: PMC5236034 DOI: 10.1186/s11671-016-1813-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Although many studies have attempted to develop strategies for spontaneously organizing nanoparticles (NPs) into three-dimensional (3D) geometries, it remains a fascinating challenge. In this study, a method for in situ synthesis and self-assembly of a CdS quantum dots (QDs) gel using a Cd supramolecular gel as a scaffold was demonstrated. During the QDs formation process, the Cd ions that constituted the Cd gels served as the precursors of the CdS QDs, and the oleic acid (OA) that ligated with the Cd in the supramolecular gels was capped on the surface of the CdS QDs in the form of carboxylate. The OA-stabilized CdS QDs were in situ synthesized in the entangled self-assembled fibrillar networks (SAFIN) of the Cd gels through reactions between the gelator and H2S. As a result, the QDs exactly replicated the framework of the SAFIN in the CdS QD gels instead of simply assembling along the SAFIN of the supramolecular gels. Moreover, the CdS QDs showed extraordinary sensitivity in the fluorescence detection of IO4- anions. The facile one-step method developed here is a new approach to assembling nanostructured materials into 3D architectures and has general implications for the design of low molecular mass gelators to bring desired functionality to the developed supramolecular gels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nano-Micro Material Research, School of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Jie He
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nano-Micro Material Research, School of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Xiaoliang Wang
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, The State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Dawei Li
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, The State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Haibing He
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, The State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Lianbing Ren
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nano-Micro Material Research, School of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Biwang Jiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nano-Micro Material Research, School of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Yong Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nano-Micro Material Research, School of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Chao Teng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nano-Micro Material Research, School of Chemical Biology & Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
| | - Gi Xue
- Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, The School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of High Performance Polymer Materials and Technology (Nanjing University), Ministry of Education, The State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093 China
| | - Huchun Tao
- Key Laboratory for Heavy Metal Pollution Control and Reutilization, School of Environment and Energy, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, 518055 China
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Binkley DM, Grandfield K. Advances in Multiscale Characterization Techniques of Bone and Biomaterials Interfaces. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2017; 4:3678-3690. [PMID: 33429593 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.7b00420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The success of osseointegrated biomaterials often depends on the functional interface between the implant and mineralized bone tissue. Several parallels between natural and synthetic interfaces exist on various length scales from the microscale toward the cellular and the atomic scale structure. Interest lies in the development of more sophisticated methods to probe these hierarchical levels in tissues at both biomaterials interfaces and natural tissue interphases. This review will highlight new and emerging perspectives toward understanding mineralized tissues, particularly bone tissue, and interfaces between bone and engineered biomaterials at multilength scales and with multidimensionality. Emphasis will be placed on highlighting novel and correlative X-ray, ion, and electron beam imaging approaches, such as electron tomography, atom probe tomography, and in situ microscopies, as well as spectroscopic and mechanical characterizations. These less conventional approaches to imaging biomaterials are contributing to the evolution of the understanding of the structure and organization in bone and bone integrating materials.
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Sneed BT, Cullen DA, Reeves KS, Dyck OE, Langlois DA, Mukundan R, Borup RL, More KL. 3D Analysis of Fuel Cell Electrocatalyst Degradation on Alternate Carbon Supports. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:29839-29848. [PMID: 28809471 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b09716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms associated with Pt/C electrocatalyst degradation in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathodes is critical for the future development of higher-performing materials; however, there is a lack of information regarding Pt coarsening under PEMFC operating conditions within the cathode catalyst layer. We report a direct and quantitative 3D study of Pt dispersions on carbon supports (high surface area carbon (HSAC), Vulcan XC-72, and graphitized carbon) with varied surface areas, graphitic character, and Pt loadings ranging from 5 to 40 wt %. This is accomplished both before and after catalyst-cycling accelerated stress tests (ASTs) through observations of the cathode catalyst layer of membrane electrode assemblies. Electron tomography results show Pt nanoparticle agglomeration occurs predominantly at junctions and edges of aggregated graphitized carbon particles, leading to poor Pt dispersion in the as-prepared catalysts and increased coalescence during ASTs. Tomographic reconstructions of Pt/HSAC show much better initial Pt dispersions, less agglomeration, and less coarsening during ASTs in the cathode. However, a large loss of the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) is still observed and is attributed to accelerated Pt dissolution and nanoparticle coalescence. Furthermore, a strong correlation between Pt particle/agglomerate size and measured ECSA is established and is proposed as a more useful metric than average crystallite size in predicting degradation behavior across different catalyst systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Sneed
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - David A Cullen
- Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Kimberly S Reeves
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Ondrej E Dyck
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - David A Langlois
- Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Rangachary Mukundan
- Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Rodney L Borup
- Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Karren L More
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
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28
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Castagnola V, Cookman J, de Araújo JM, Polo E, Cai Q, Silveira CP, Krpetić Ž, Yan Y, Boselli L, Dawson KA. Towards a classification strategy for complex nanostructures. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2017; 2:187-198. [PMID: 32260640 DOI: 10.1039/c6nh00219f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The range of possible nanostructures is so large and continuously growing, that collating and unifying the knowledge connected to them, including their biological activity, is a major challenge. Here we discuss a concept that is based on the connection of microscopic features of the nanomaterials to their biological impacts. We also consider what would be necessary to identify the features that control their biological interactions, and make them resemble each other in a biological context.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Castagnola
- Centre for BioNano Interactions, School of Chemistry, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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29
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Nilsson Pingel T, Fouladvand S, Heggen M, Dunin-Borkowski RE, Jäger W, Westenberger P, Phifer D, McNeil J, Skoglundh M, Grönbeck H, Olsson E. Three-Dimensional Probing of Catalyst Ageing on Different Length Scales: A Case Study of Changes in Microstructure and Activity for CO Oxidation of a Pt-Pd/Al2
O3
Catalyst. ChemCatChem 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201700479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Torben Nilsson Pingel
- Competence Centre for Catalysis, Department of Physics; Chalmers University of Technology; 41296 Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Sheedeh Fouladvand
- Competence Centre for Catalysis, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Chalmers University of Technology; 41296 Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Marc Heggen
- Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Grünberg Institute; Jülich Research Centre; 52425 Jülich Germany
| | - Rafal E. Dunin-Borkowski
- Ernst Ruska-Centre for Microscopy and Spectroscopy with Electrons and Peter Grünberg Institute; Jülich Research Centre; 52425 Jülich Germany
| | - Wolfgang Jäger
- Competence Centre for Catalysis, Department of Physics; Chalmers University of Technology; 41296 Gothenburg Sweden
| | | | - Daniel Phifer
- FEI-Science Group; 5651 GG Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | | | - Magnus Skoglundh
- Competence Centre for Catalysis, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Chalmers University of Technology; 41296 Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Henrik Grönbeck
- Competence Centre for Catalysis, Department of Physics; Chalmers University of Technology; 41296 Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Eva Olsson
- Competence Centre for Catalysis, Department of Physics; Chalmers University of Technology; 41296 Gothenburg Sweden
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30
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Ustarroz J, Geboes B, Vanrompay H, Sentosun K, Bals S, Breugelmans T, Hubin A. Electrodeposition of Highly Porous Pt Nanoparticles Studied by Quantitative 3D Electron Tomography: Influence of Growth Mechanisms and Potential Cycling on the Active Surface Area. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:16168-16177. [PMID: 28418651 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b01619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Nanoporous Pt nanoparticles (NPs) are promising fuel cell catalysts due to their large surface area and increased electrocatalytic activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report on the influence of the growth mechanisms on the surface properties of electrodeposited Pt dendritic NPs with large surface areas. The electrochemically active surface was studied by hydrogen underpotential deposition (H UPD) and compared for the first time to high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) quantitative 3D electron tomography of individual nanoparticles. Large nucleation overpotential leads to a large surface coverage of roughened spheroids, which provide a large roughness factor (Rf) but low mass-specific electrochemically active surface area (EASA). Lowering the nucleation overpotential leads to highly porous Pt NPs with pores stretching to the center of the structure. At the expense of smaller Rf, the obtained EASA values of these structures are in the range of those of large surface area supported fuel cell catalysts. The active surface area of the Pt dendritic NPs was measured by electron tomography, and it was found that the potential cycling in the H adsorption/desorption and Pt oxidation/reduction region, which is generally performed to determine the EASA, leads to a significant reduction of that surface area due to a partial collapse of their dendritic and porous morphology. Interestingly, the extrapolation of the microscopic tomography results in macroscopic electrochemical parameters indicates that the surface properties measured by H UPD are comparable to the values measured on individual NPs by electron tomography after the degradation caused by the H UPD measurement. These results highlight that the combination of electrochemical and quantitative 3D surface analysis techniques is essential to provide insights into the surface properties, the electrochemical stability, and, hence, the applicability of these materials. Moreover, it indicates that care must be taken with widely used electrochemical methods of surface area determination, especially in the case of large surface area and possibly unstable nanostructures, since the measured surface can be strongly affected by the measurement itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Ustarroz
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Research Group Electrochemical and Surface Engineering (SURF), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Bart Geboes
- Research Group Advanced Reactor Technology (ART), University of Antwerp , Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Hans Vanrompay
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kadir Sentosun
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sara Bals
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Breugelmans
- Research Group Advanced Reactor Technology (ART), University of Antwerp , Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Annick Hubin
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) , Research Group Electrochemical and Surface Engineering (SURF), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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31
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Tan R, Zhu H, Cao C, Chen O. Multi-component superstructures self-assembled from nanocrystal building blocks. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:9944-61. [PMID: 27136751 DOI: 10.1039/c6nr01662f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
More than three decades of intensive study to make high-quality nanocrystals have created a unique toolbox for building multi-component superstructures, which have been recognized as a new generation of metamaterials important to both fundamental sciences and applied technologies. This minireview summarizes recent advances in this exciting field. We will focus our discussion on the synthetic strategies and superstructures of this multi-component metamaterial, and highlight their novel properties and potential applications. Additionally, some perspectives on possible developments in this field are offered at the end of this review. We hope that this minireview will both inform and stimulate research interests for the design and fabrication of these nanocrystal-based multi-component metamaterials for diverse applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tan
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, 324 Brook St., Providence, RI 02912, USA.
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32
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Zanaga D, Altantzis T, Sanctorum J, Freitag B, Bals S. An alternative approach for ζ-factor measurement using pure element nanoparticles. Ultramicroscopy 2016; 164:11-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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33
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Slater TJ, Janssen A, Camargo PH, Burke MG, Zaluzec NJ, Haigh SJ. STEM-EDX tomography of bimetallic nanoparticles: A methodological investigation. Ultramicroscopy 2016; 162:61-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2015.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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34
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Marks LD, Peng L. Nanoparticle shape, thermodynamics and kinetics. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2016; 28:053001. [PMID: 26792459 DOI: 10.1088/0953-8984/28/5/053001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticles can be beautiful, as in stained glass windows, or they can be ugly as in wear and corrosion debris from implants. We estimate that there will be about 70,000 papers in 2015 with nanoparticles as a keyword, but only one in thirteen uses the nanoparticle shape as an additional keyword and research focus, and only one in two hundred has thermodynamics. Methods for synthesizing nanoparticles have exploded over the last decade, but our understanding of how and why they take their forms has not progressed as fast. This topical review attempts to take a critical snapshot of the current understanding, focusing more on methods to predict than a purely synthetic or descriptive approach. We look at models and themes which are largely independent of the exact synthetic method whether it is deposition, gas-phase condensation, solution based or hydrothermal synthesis. Elements are old dating back to the beginning of the 20th century-some of the pioneering models developed then are still relevant today. Others are newer, a merging of older concepts such as kinetic-Wulff constructions with methods to understand minimum energy shapes for particles with twins. Overall we find that while there are still many unknowns, the broad framework of understanding and predicting the structure of nanoparticles via diverse Wulff constructions, either thermodynamic, local minima or kinetic has been exceedingly successful. However, the field is still developing and there remain many unknowns and new avenues for research, a few of these being suggested towards the end of the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- L D Marks
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
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35
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Zanaga D, Bleichrodt F, Altantzis T, Winckelmans N, Palenstijn WJ, Sijbers J, de Nijs B, van Huis MA, Sánchez-Iglesias A, Liz-Marzán LM, van Blaaderen A, Batenburg KJ, Bals S, Van Tendeloo G. Quantitative 3D analysis of huge nanoparticle assemblies. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:292-9. [PMID: 26607629 PMCID: PMC4819762 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06962a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Nanoparticle assemblies can be investigated in 3 dimensions using electron tomography. However, it is not straightforward to obtain quantitative information such as the number of particles or their relative position. This becomes particularly difficult when the number of particles increases. We propose a novel approach in which prior information on the shape of the individual particles is exploited. It improves the quality of the reconstruction of these complex assemblies significantly. Moreover, this quantitative Sparse Sphere Reconstruction approach yields directly the number of particles and their position as an output of the reconstruction technique, enabling a detailed 3D analysis of assemblies with as many as 10,000 particles. The approach can also be used to reconstruct objects based on a very limited number of projections, which opens up possibilities to investigate beam sensitive assemblies where previous reconstructions with the available electron tomography techniques failed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Zanaga
- EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Folkert Bleichrodt
- Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Science Park 123, NL-1098XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Altantzis
- EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Naomi Winckelmans
- EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Willem Jan Palenstijn
- Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Science Park 123, NL-1098XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Sijbers
- iMinds-Visionlab, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bart de Nijs
- Soft Condensed Matter, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn A van Huis
- Soft Condensed Matter, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Sánchez-Iglesias
- Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo de Miramón 182, 20009 Donostia - San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE, Paseo de Miramón 182, 20009 Donostia - San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Alfons van Blaaderen
- Soft Condensed Matter, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science, Utrecht University, Princetonplein 5, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - K Joost Batenburg
- Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica, Science Park 123, NL-1098XG Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sara Bals
- EMAT, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
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36
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Multidirectional Image Sensing for Microscopy Based on a Rotatable Robot. SENSORS 2015; 15:31566-80. [PMID: 26694391 PMCID: PMC4721792 DOI: 10.3390/s151229872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Image sensing at a small scale is essentially important in many fields, including microsample observation, defect inspection, material characterization and so on. However, nowadays, multi-directional micro object imaging is still very challenging due to the limited field of view (FOV) of microscopes. This paper reports a novel approach for multi-directional image sensing in microscopes by developing a rotatable robot. First, a robot with endless rotation ability is designed and integrated with the microscope. Then, the micro object is aligned to the rotation axis of the robot automatically based on the proposed forward-backward alignment strategy. After that, multi-directional images of the sample can be obtained by rotating the robot within one revolution under the microscope. To demonstrate the versatility of this approach, we view various types of micro samples from multiple directions in both optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and panoramic images of the samples are processed as well. The proposed method paves a new way for the microscopy image sensing, and we believe it could have significant impact in many fields, especially for sample detection, manipulation and characterization at a small scale.
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37
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Feliu N, Pelaz B, Zhang Q, Del Pino P, Nyström A, Parak WJ. Nanoparticle dosage-a nontrivial task of utmost importance for quantitative nanosafety research. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 8:479-92. [PMID: 26589577 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2015] [Revised: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
For a detailed and correct understanding of effects of colloidal nanoparticles exposed to organisms, a correlation of such effects to the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles is a necessity. Such correlation is complex by the fact that many physicochemical parameters such as size, shape, surface charge, and colloidal stability are interlinked, and nontrivial to experimentally determine. This review aims to give an overview regarding such correlations. Particular focus will be given on the role of determining nanoparticle concentrations, which is the basis for most quantitative toxicity evaluations. A comparison of mass versus particle number concentrations is given, and their respective differences are highlighted. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2016, 8:479-492. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1378 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neus Feliu
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Beatriz Pelaz
- Fachbereich Physik, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Qian Zhang
- Fachbereich Physik, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Nyström
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wolfgang J Parak
- Fachbereich Physik, Philipps Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,CIC BiomaGUNE, San Sebastian, Spain
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38
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Scarabelli L, Sánchez-Iglesias A, Pérez-Juste J, Liz-Marzán LM. A "Tips and Tricks" Practical Guide to the Synthesis of Gold Nanorods. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:4270-9. [PMID: 26538043 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b02123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Scarabelli
- Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE , Paseo de Miramon 182, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Ana Sánchez-Iglesias
- Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE , Paseo de Miramon 182, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
| | - Jorge Pérez-Juste
- Departamento de Quı́mica Fı́sica, Universidade de Vigo , 36310 Vigo, Spain
| | - Luis M Liz-Marzán
- Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, CIC biomaGUNE , Paseo de Miramon 182, 20009 Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science , 48013 Bilbao, Spain
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39
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Pfannmöller M, Heidari H, Nanson L, Lozman OR, Chrapa M, Offermans T, Nisato G, Bals S. Quantitative Tomography of Organic Photovoltaic Blends at the Nanoscale. NANO LETTERS 2015; 15:6634-42. [PMID: 26390367 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The success of semiconducting organic materials has enabled green technologies for electronics, lighting, and photovoltaics. However, when blended together, these materials have also raised novel fundamental questions with respect to electronic, optical, and thermodynamic properties. This is particularly important for organic photovoltaic cells based on the bulk heterojunction. Here, the distribution of nanoscale domains plays a crucial role depending on the specific device structure. Hence, correlation of the aforementioned properties requires 3D nanoscale imaging of materials domains, which are embedded in a multilayer device. Such visualization has so far been elusive due to lack of contrast, insufficient signal, or resolution limits. In this Letter, we introduce spectral scanning transmission electron tomography for reconstruction of entire volume plasmon spectra from rod-shaped specimens. We provide 3D structural correlations and compositional mapping at a resolution of approximately 7 nm within advanced organic photovoltaic tandem cells. Novel insights that are obtained from quantitative 3D analyses reveal that efficiency loss upon thermal annealing can be attributed to subtle, fundamental blend properties. These results are invaluable in guiding the design and optimization of future devices in plastic electronics applications and provide an empirical basis for modeling and simulation of organic solar cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pfannmöller
- EMAT-University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - H Heidari
- EMAT-University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - L Nanson
- Chilworth Technical Centre, Merck Chemicals Ltd. , University Parkway, Southampton SO16 7QD, U.K
| | - O R Lozman
- Chilworth Technical Centre, Merck Chemicals Ltd. , University Parkway, Southampton SO16 7QD, U.K
| | - M Chrapa
- Thin Film Optics Division, CSEM , Tramstrasse 99, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - T Offermans
- Thin Film Optics Division, CSEM , Tramstrasse 99, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - G Nisato
- Thin Film Optics Division, CSEM , Tramstrasse 99, CH-4132 Muttenz, Switzerland
| | - S Bals
- EMAT-University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, B-2020 Antwerp, Belgium
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Polavarapu L, Mourdikoudis S, Pastoriza-Santos I, Pérez-Juste J. Nanocrystal engineering of noble metals and metal chalcogenides: controlling the morphology, composition and crystallinity. CrystEngComm 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ce00112a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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