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Marino E, LaCour RA, Kodger TE. Emergent Properties from Three-Dimensional Assemblies of (Nano)particles in Confined Spaces. CRYSTAL GROWTH & DESIGN 2024; 24:6060-6080. [PMID: 39044735 PMCID: PMC11261636 DOI: 10.1021/acs.cgd.4c00260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The assembly of (nano)particles into compact hierarchical structures yields emergent properties not found in the individual constituents. The formation of these structures relies on a profound knowledge of the nanoscale interactions between (nano)particles, which are often designed by researchers aided by computational studies. These interactions have an effect when the (nano)particles are brought into close proximity, yet relying only on diffusion to reach these closer distances may be inefficient. Recently, physical confinement has emerged as an efficient methodology to increase the volume fraction of (nano)particles, rapidly accelerating the time scale of assembly. Specifically, the high surface area of droplets of one immiscible fluid into another facilitates the controlled removal of the dispersed phase, resulting in spherical, often ordered, (nano)particle assemblies. In this review, we discuss the design strategies, computational approaches, and assembly methods for (nano)particles in confined spaces and the emergent properties therein, such as trigger-directed assembly, lasing behavior, and structural photonic color. Finally, we provide a brief outlook on the current challenges, both experimental and computational, and farther afield application possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Marino
- Department
of Physics and Chemistry, Università
degli Studi di Palermo, Via Archirafi 36, Palermo 90123, Italy
| | - R. Allen LaCour
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Thomas E. Kodger
- Physical
Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University
and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
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2
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Lou Y, Li X, Shi Z, Zhou H, Feng T, Xu B. General Syntheses of High-Performance Thermoelectric Nanostructured Solids without Post-Synthetic Ligand Stripping. NANO LETTERS 2023; 23:5317-5325. [PMID: 37212245 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c01438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Ligand-assisted wet chemical synthesis is a versatile methodology to produce controllable nanocrystals (NCs). The post-treatment of ligands is significant for the performance of functional devices. Herein, a method that retains ligands of colloidal-synthesized nanomaterials to produce thermoelectric nanomaterials is proposed, which differs from the conventional methods that strip ligands using multistep cumbersome processes. The ligand-retention method can control the size and dispersity of nanocrystals during the consolidation of the NCs into dense pellets, in which retained ligands are transformed into organic carbon within the inorganic matrices, establishing clear organic-inorganic interfaces. Characterizations of the nonstripped and stripped samples confirm that this strategy can affect electric transport slightly but reduce the thermal conductivity largely. As a result, the materials (e.g., SnSe, Cu2-xS, AgBiSe2, and Cu2ZnSnSe4) with ligands retained achieve higher peak zT and better mechanical properties. This method can be applied to other colloidal thermoelectric NCs and functional materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Lou
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Xiaokun Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Zhan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Inorganic Synthesis and Preparative Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, Utah, USA
| | - Tianli Feng
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112, Utah, USA
| | - Biao Xu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
- Chemical Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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3
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Wang Z, Srinivasan S, Dai R, Rana A, Nian Q, Solanki K, Wang RY. Inorganically Connecting Colloidal Nanocrystals Significantly Improves Mechanical Properties. NANO LETTERS 2023. [PMID: 37257060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Understanding and characterizing the mechanical behavior of colloidal nanocrystal (NC) assemblies are important for developing nanocrystalline materials with exceptional mechanical properties for robust electronic, thermoelectric, photovoltaic, and optoelectronic devices. However, the limited ranges of Young's modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness (≲1-10 GPa, ≲50-500 MPa, and ≲10-50 kPa m1/2, respectively) in as-synthesized NC assemblies present challenges for their mechanical stability and therefore their practical applications. In this work, we demonstrate using a combination of nanoindentation measurements and coarse-grained modeling that the mechanical response of assemblies of as-synthesized NCs is governed by the van der Waals interactions of the organic surface ligands. More importantly, we report tremendous ∼60× enhancements in Young's modulus and hardness and an ∼80× enhancement in fracture toughness of CdSe NC assemblies through a simple inorganic Sn2S64- ligand exchange process. Moreover, our observation of softening in nanocrystalline materials with decreasing CdSe NC diameter is consistent with atomistic simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyong Wang
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Soundarya Srinivasan
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Rui Dai
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Ashish Rana
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Qiong Nian
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Kiran Solanki
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
| | - Robert Y Wang
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85281, United States
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4
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Jansen M, Tisdale WA, Wood V. Nanocrystal phononics. NATURE MATERIALS 2023; 22:161-169. [PMID: 36702886 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01438-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal nanocrystals are successfully used as nanoscale building blocks for creating hierarchical solids with structures that range from amorphous networks to sophisticated periodic superlattices. Recently, it has been observed that these superlattices exhibit collective vibrations, which stem from the correlated motion of the nanocrystals, with their surface-bound ligands acting as molecular linkers. In this Perspective, we describe the work so far on collective vibrations in nanocrystal solids and their as-of-yet untapped potential for phononic applications. With the ability to engineer vibrations in the hypersonic regime through the choice of nanocrystal and linker composition, as well as by controlling their size, shape and chemical interactions, such superstructures offer new opportunities for phononic crystals, acoustic metamaterials and optomechanical systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Jansen
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - William A Tisdale
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vanessa Wood
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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5
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Plunkett A, Kampferbeck M, Bor B, Sazama U, Krekeler T, Bekaert L, Noei H, Giuntini D, Fröba M, Stierle A, Weller H, Vossmeyer T, Schneider GA, Domènech B. Strengthening Engineered Nanocrystal Three-Dimensional Superlattices via Ligand Conformation and Reactivity. ACS NANO 2022; 16:11692-11707. [PMID: 35760395 PMCID: PMC9413410 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c01332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Nanocrystal assembly into ordered structures provides mesostructural functional materials with a precise control that starts at the atomic scale. However, the lack of understanding on the self-assembly itself plus the poor structural integrity of the resulting supercrystalline materials still limits their application into engineered materials and devices. Surface functionalization of the nanobuilding blocks with organic ligands can be used not only as a means to control the interparticle interactions during self-assembly but also as a reactive platform to further strengthen the final material via ligand cross-linking. Here, we explore the influence of the ligands on superlattice formation and during cross-linking via thermal annealing. We elucidate the effect of the surface functionalization on the nanostructure during self-assembly and show how the ligand-promoted superlattice changes subsequently alter the cross-linking behavior. By gaining further insights on the chemical species derived from the thermally activated cross-linking and its effect in the overall mechanical response, we identify an oxidative radical polymerization as the main mechanism responsible for the ligand cross-linking. In the cascade of reactions occurring during the surface-ligands polymerization, the nanocrystal core material plays a catalytic role, being strongly affected by the anchoring group of the surface ligands. Ultimately, we demonstrate how the found mechanistic insights can be used to adjust the mechanical and nanostructural properties of the obtained nanocomposites. These results enable engineering supercrystalline nanocomposites with improved cohesion while preserving their characteristic nanostructure, which is required to achieve the collective properties for broad functional applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Plunkett
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Kampferbeck
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Büsra Bor
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Uta Sazama
- Institute
of Inorganic and Applied Chemistry, University
of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Krekeler
- Electron
Microscopy Unit, Hamburg University of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lieven Bekaert
- Research
Group of Electrochemical and Surface Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Heshmat Noei
- Center
for X-ray and Nano Science CXNS, Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Diletta Giuntini
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University
of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Fröba
- Institute
of Inorganic and Applied Chemistry, University
of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Stierle
- Center
for X-ray and Nano Science CXNS, Deutsches
Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY, 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Fachbreich
Physik, University of Hamburg, 20355 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Horst Weller
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Fraunhofer-CAN, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Vossmeyer
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerold A. Schneider
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Berta Domènech
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
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6
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Wang Z, Christodoulides AD, Dai L, Zhou Y, Dai R, Xu Y, Nian Q, Wang J, Malen JA, Wang RY. Nanocrystal Ordering Enhances Thermal Transport and Mechanics in Single-Domain Colloidal Nanocrystal Superlattices. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:4669-4676. [PMID: 35639612 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c00544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal nanocrystal (NC) assemblies are promising for optoelectronic, photovoltaic, and thermoelectric applications. However, using these materials can be challenging in actual devices because they have a limited range of thermal conductivity and elastic modulus, which results in heat dissipation and mechanical robustness challenges. Here, we report thermal transport and mechanical measurements on single-domain colloidal PbS nanocrystal superlattices (NCSLs) that have long-range order as well as measurements on nanocrystal films (NCFs) that are comparatively disordered. Over an NC diameter range of 3.0-6.1 nm, we observe that NCSLs have thermal conductivities and Young's moduli that are up to ∼3 times higher than those of the corresponding NCFs. We also find that these properties are more sensitive to NC diameter in NCSLs relative to NCFs. Our measurements and computational modeling indicate that stronger ligand-ligand interactions due to enhanced ligand interdigitation and alignment in NCSLs account for the improved thermal transport and mechanical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyong Wang
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Alexander D Christodoulides
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Lingyun Dai
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Yang Zhou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Rui Dai
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Yifei Xu
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Qiong Nian
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Junlan Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Jonathan A Malen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Robert Y Wang
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport & Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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7
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Interfacial ion regulation on 2D layered double hydroxide nanosheets for enhanced thermal insulation. Sci China Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-021-1201-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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8
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Tunable mechanical properties of [Fe(pyrazine){Au(CN)2}2]–PVDF composite films with spin transitions. POLYMER 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2021.124410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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9
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Jansen M, Juranyi F, Yarema O, Seydel T, Wood V. Ligand Dynamics in Nanocrystal Solids Studied with Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering. ACS NANO 2021; 15:20517-20526. [PMID: 34878757 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c09073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanocrystal surfaces are commonly populated by organic ligands, which play a determining role in the optical, electronic, thermal, and catalytic properties of the individual nanocrystals and their assemblies. Understanding the bonding of ligands to nanocrystal surfaces and their dynamics is therefore important for the optimization of nanocrystals for different applications. In this study, we use temperature-dependent, quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) to investigate the dynamics of different surface bound alkanethiols in lead sulfide nanocrystal solids. We select alkanethiols with mono- and dithiol terminations, as well as different backbone types and lengths. QENS spectra are collected both on a time-of-flight spectrometer and on a backscattering spectrometer, allowing us to investigate ligand dynamics in a time range from a few picoseconds to nanoseconds. Through model-based analysis of the QENS data, we find that ligands can either (1) precess around a central axis, while simultaneously rotating around their own molecular axis, or (2) only undergo uniaxial rotation with no precession. We establish the percentage of ligands undergoing each type of motion, the average relaxation times, and activation energies for these motions. We determine, for example, that dithiols which link facets of neighboring nanocrystals only exhibit uniaxial rotation and that longer ligands have higher activation energies and show smaller opening angles of precession due to stronger ligand-ligand interactions. Generally, this work provides insight into the arrangement and dynamics of ligands in nanocrystal solids, which is key to understanding their mechanical and thermal properties, and, more generally, highlights the potential of QENS for studying ligand behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Jansen
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fanni Juranyi
- Laboratory for Neutron Scattering and Imaging, Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
| | - Olesya Yarema
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tilo Seydel
- Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), 71 Avenue des Martyrs, CS 20156, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Vanessa Wood
- Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Gloriastrasse 35, CH-8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Giuntini D, Davydok A, Blankenburg M, Domènech B, Bor B, Li M, Scheider I, Krywka C, Müller M, Schneider GA. Deformation Behavior of Cross-Linked Supercrystalline Nanocomposites: An in Situ SAXS/WAXS Study during Uniaxial Compression. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:2891-2897. [PMID: 33749275 PMCID: PMC8155193 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c05041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
With the ever-expanding functional applications of supercrystalline nanocomposites (a relatively new category of materials consisting of organically functionalized nanoparticles arranged into periodic structures), it becomes necessary to ensure their structural stability and understand their deformation and failure mechanisms. Inducing the cross-linking of the functionalizing organic ligands, for instance, leads to a remarkable enhancement of the nanocomposites' mechanical properties. It is however still unknown how the cross-linked organic phase redistributes applied loads, how the supercrystalline lattice accommodates the imposed deformations, and thus in general what phenomena govern the overall material's mechanical response. This work elucidates these aspects for cross-linked supercrystalline nanocomposites through an in situ small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering study combined with uniaxial pressing. Because of this loading condition, it emerges that the cross-linked ligands effectively carry and distribute loads homogeneously throughout the nanocomposites, while the superlattice deforms via rotation, slip, and local defects generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Giuntini
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anton Davydok
- Institute
of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum
Geesthacht, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Malte Blankenburg
- Institute
of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum
Geesthacht, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Berta Domènech
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Büsra Bor
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mingjing Li
- Institute
of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum
Geesthacht, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Ingo Scheider
- Institute
of Material Systems Modeling, Helmholtz-Zentrum
Geesthacht, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Christina Krywka
- Institute
of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum
Geesthacht, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Martin Müller
- Institute
of Materials Physics, Helmholtz-Zentrum
Geesthacht, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Gerold A. Schneider
- Institute
of Advanced Ceramics, Hamburg University
of Technology, 21073 Hamburg, Germany
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