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Soft X-ray Microscopy Techniques for Medical and Biological Imaging at TwinMic—Elettra. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11167216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Progress in nanotechnology calls for material probing techniques of high sensitivity and resolution. Such techniques are also used for high-impact studies of nanoscale materials in medicine and biology. Soft X-ray microscopy has been successfully used for investigating complex biological processes occurring at micrometric and sub-micrometric length scales and is one of the most powerful tools in medicine and the life sciences. Here, we present the capabilities of the TwinMic soft X-ray microscopy end-station at the Elettra synchrotron in the context of medical and biological imaging, while we also describe novel uses and developments.
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V VM, Nageswaran G. Operando X-Ray Spectroscopic Techniques: A Focus on Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution Reactions. Front Chem 2020; 8:23. [PMID: 32083053 PMCID: PMC7002430 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The study of structural as well as chemical properties of an electrocatalyst in its reaction environment is a challenge in electrocatalysis. This is very important for the better understanding of the dynamic changes in the reactivity with respect to the structure of catalysts to give insight into the reaction mechanism. The in situ/operando investigation of electrode/electrolyte interface has been increasingly explored in recent days due to the significant developments in technology. The review focus on operando X-ray spectroscopic techniques to understand the behavior of electrocatalysts in hydrogen evolution and oxygen evolution reactions (HER and OER). Some recent studies on the application of operando X-ray spectroscopic methods to study the dynamic nature as well as the evaluation of structural and chemical changes of the electrocatalysts for HER and OER in different reaction environment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha M V
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - Gomathi Nageswaran
- Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, India
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Gianoncelli A, Kourousias G, Merolle L, Altissimo M, Bianco A. Current status of the TwinMic beamline at Elettra: a soft X-ray transmission and emission microscopy station. JOURNAL OF SYNCHROTRON RADIATION 2016; 23:1526-1537. [PMID: 27787260 DOI: 10.1107/s1600577516014405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
The current status of the TwinMic beamline at Elettra synchrotron light source, that hosts the European twin X-ray microscopy station, is reported. The X-ray source, provided by a short hybrid undulator with source size and divergence intermediate between bending magnets and conventional undulators, is energy-tailored using a collimated plane-grating monochromator. The TwinMic spectromicroscopy experimental station combines scanning and full-field imaging in a single instrument, with contrast modes such as absorption, differential phase, interference and darkfield. The implementation of coherent diffractive imaging modalities and ptychography is ongoing. Typically, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy images are simultaneously collected in transmission and differential phase contrast and can be complemented by chemical and elemental analysis using across-absorption-edge imaging, X-ray absorption near-edge structure or low-energy X-ray fluorescence. The lateral resolutions depend on the particular imaging and contrast mode chosen. The TwinMic range of applications covers diverse research fields such as biology, biochemistry, medicine, pharmacology, environment, geochemistry, food, agriculture and materials science. They will be illustrated in the paper with representative results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14, Km in Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - George Kourousias
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14, Km in Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Lucia Merolle
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14, Km in Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Matteo Altissimo
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14, Km in Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
| | - Anna Bianco
- Elettra - Sincrotrone Trieste, SS 14, Km in Area Science Park, Basovizza, Trieste 34149, Italy
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Liu X, Yang W, Liu Z. Recent progress on synchrotron-based in-situ soft X-ray spectroscopy for energy materials. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2014; 26:7710-29. [PMID: 24799004 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201304676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Soft X-ray spectroscopy (SXS) techniques such as photoelectron spectroscopy, soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray emission spectroscopy are efficient and direct tools to probe electronic structures of materials. Traditionally, these surface sensitive soft X-ray techniques that detect electrons or photons require high vacuum to operate. Many recent in situ instrument developments of these techniques have overcome this vacuum barrier. One can now study many materials and model devices under near ambient, semi-realistic, and operando conditions. Further developments of integrating the realistic sample environments with efficient and high resolution detection methods, particularly at the high brightness synchrotron light sources, are making SXS an important tool for the energy research community. In this progress report, we briefly describe the basic concept of several SXS techniques and discuss recent development of SXS instruments. We then present several recent studies, mostly in situ SXS experiments, on energy materials and devices. Using these studies, we would like to highlight that the integration of SXS and in situ environments can provide in-depth insight of material's functionality and help researchers in new energy material developments. The remaining challenges and critical research directions are discussed at the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaosong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Functional Materials for Informatics, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200050, China; Advanced Light Source Division, Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
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Bozzini B, Gianoncelli A, Bocchetta P, Dal Zilio S, Kourousias G. Fabrication of a sealed electrochemical microcell for in situ soft X-ray microspectroscopy and testing with in situ co-polypyrrole composite electrodeposition for Pt-free oxygen electrocatalysis. Anal Chem 2013; 86:664-70. [PMID: 24283887 DOI: 10.1021/ac403004v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this paper we report on the fabrication and testing of a novel concept of sealed electrochemical microcell for in situ soft X-ray microspectroscopy in transmission, dedicated for nonvacuum compatible electrolytes. The microcell, fabricated using ultraviolet lithography, at variance with previous versions of electrochemical wet cells, that featured an optical window glued on top of the electrode system and a very limited electrolyte volume, the device presented here is a single solid block based around a microfabricated channel with fixed optical windows and apt for microfluidic work. Moreover, this cell allows to employ an advanced electrodic geometry developed in our group - so far used only in open electrochemical cells for work with vacuum-compatible electrolytes - also with low-vapor pressure liquids, possibly saturated with the required gases. The cell optimal electrode design allows three-electrode electrochemical control typical of traditional electrochemical experiments. The first electrochemical experiments with this new cell explore the electrochemical growth of a Co-polypyrrole, a composite electrocatalyst material with promising performance to replace the expensive Pt catalyst in fuel-cell oxygen electrodes. Morphological and chemical-state distributions of Co codeposited with polypyrrole has been followed as a function of time and position, yielding unprecedented information on the processes relevant to the synthesis of this catalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Bozzini
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Università di Lecce , via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Lecce, Italy
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Bozzini B, Amati M, Gianoncelli A, Gregoratti L, Kaulich B, Kiskinova M. New Energy Sources: in-situ Characterisation of Fuel Cell and Supercapacitor Components. Complementary Studies using Transmission, Fluorescence and Photoelectron Microscopy and Imaging. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/463/1/012018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Gianoncelli A, Kourousias G, Pascolo L, Rizzardi C, Ceccone G, Kaulich B, Kiskinova M. Life science applications and research potential of the TwinMic spectromicroscopy station at ELETTRA. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/463/1/012004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Gianoncelli A, Kourousias G, Stolfa A, Kaulich B. Recent developments at the TwinMic beamline at ELETTRA: an 8 SDD detector setup for low energy X-ray Fluorescence. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013. [DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/425/18/182001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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Electrodeposition of Ni/ceria composites: an in situ visible reflectance investigation. J Solid State Electrochem 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-012-1830-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Bozzini B, Abyaneh MK, Amati M, Gianoncelli A, Gregoratti L, Kaulich B, Kiskinova M. Soft X-ray Imaging and Spectromicroscopy: New Insights in Chemical State and Morphology of the Key Components in Operating Fuel-Cells. Chemistry 2012; 18:10196-210. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201201313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Bozzini
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Università del Salento, via Monteroni s.n., 73100 Lecce, Italy
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Bozzini B, Tondo E, Prasciolu M, Amati M, Abyaneh MK, Gregoratti L, Kiskinova M. In situ X-ray spectromicroscopy investigation of the material stability of SOFC metal interconnects in operating electrochemical cells. CHEMSUSCHEM 2011; 4:1099-1103. [PMID: 21695791 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201100140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The present in situ study of electrochemically induced processes occurring in Cr/Ni bilayers in contact with a YSZ electrolyte aims at a molecular-level understanding of the fundamental aspects related to the durability of metallic interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The results demonstrate the potential of scanning photoelectron microspectroscopy and imaging to follow in situ the evolution of the chemical states and lateral distributions of the constituent elements (Ni, Cr, Zr, and Y) as a function of applied cathodic potential in a cell working at 650 °C in 10(-6) mbar O(2) ambient conditions. The most interesting findings are the temperature-induced and potential-dependent diffusion of Ni and Cr, and the oxidation-reduction processes resulting in specific morphology-composition changes in the Ni, Cr, and YSZ areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Bozzini
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Università del Salento, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy.
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Bozzini B, Gianoncelli A, Kaulich B, Kiskinova M, Mele C, Prasciolu M. Corrosion of Ni in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide room-temperature ionic liquid: an in situ X-ray imaging and spectromicroscopy study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2011; 13:7968-74. [PMID: 21437296 DOI: 10.1039/c0cp02618b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This paper reports a pioneering application of soft X-ray scanning transmission microscopy (STXM), combined with micro-spot X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), for the investigation of the corrosion of metal electrodes in contact with room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL). Using an open electrochemical cell in vacuo we explore some fundamental aspects of the aggressiveness of the 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([BMP][TFSA]) RTIL towards Ni under in situ electrochemical polarisation. The possibility of imaging electrochemically-induced morphological features in conjunction with micro-XAS and XRF spectroscopies has provided unprecedented details regarding the space distribution and chemical state of corrosion products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetto Bozzini
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Innovazione, Università del Salento, via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
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