1
|
Hou J, Xu HN. Faceted crystal growth of cyclodextrin-oil inclusion complexes. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 343:122446. [PMID: 39174087 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
The spontaneous formation of cyclodextrin (CD)-oil inclusion complexes (ICs) and their further growth into patterned crystals present a bottom-up route to the fabrication of periodic macroscopic structure. Although the inclusion processes are well established for the molecules, understanding intermediate structures during the crystal growth and emerging of persistent crystalline order has been lacking. Here we build a hierarchy of oriented micro/nanostructures of CD-oil ICs in solution by choosing different oil guests including several straight-chain alkanes of C12, C14 and C16, oleic acid (OA), glycerol trioleate (TG) and soybean oil (SO), in an attempt to reveal the roles of oil guests in the formation of their crystallites. Remarkably, the ICs tend to grow into clusters and terminate at a certain finite size as long columns or lamella plates with well-defined facets, dependent on the type of oil used. For the first time, we report a non-equilibrium growth of crystallites with surface faceting directed by the guests by means of Arching and Bundling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua-Neng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China; School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China; International Joint Laboratory on Food Safety, Jiangnan University, 1800 Lihu Avenue, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214122, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li X, Wu XT, Xu Q, Zhu QL. Hierarchically Ordered Pore Engineering of Metal-Organic Framework-Based Materials for Electrocatalysis. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2401926. [PMID: 38631691 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202401926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Ordered pore engineering that embeds uniform pores with periodic alignment in electrocatalysts opens up a new avenue for achieving further performance promotion. Hierarchically ordered porous metal-organic frameworks (HOP-MOFs) possessing multilevel pores with ordered distribution are the promising precursors for the exploration of ordered porous electrocatalysts, while the scalable acquisition of HOP-MOFs with editable components and adjustable pore size regimes is critical. This review presents recent progress on hierarchically ordered pore engineering of MOF-based materials for enhanced electrocatalysis. The synthetic strategies of HOP-MOFs with different pore size regimes, including the self-assembly guided by reticular chemistry, surfactant, nanoemulsion, and nanocasting, are first introduced. Then the applications of HOP-MOFs as the precursors for exploring hierarchically ordered porous electrocatalysts are summarized, selecting representatives to highlight the boosted performance. Especially, the intensification of molecule and ion transport integrated with optimized electron transfer and site exposure over the hierarchically ordered porous derivatives are emphasized to clarify the directional transfer and integration effect endowed by ordered pore engineering. Finally, the remaining scientific challenges and an outlook of this field are proposed. It is hoped that this review will guide the hierarchically ordered pore engineering of nanocatalysts for boosting the catalytic performance and promoting the practical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fuzhou, 350002, China
| | - Xin-Tao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiang Xu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Micro/Nano-Porous Functional Materials (SKLPM), Department of Chemistry and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qi-Long Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Structural Chemistry, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Fuzhou, 350002, China
- Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, 350108, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen A, Dissanayake TU, Sun J, Woehl TJ. Unraveling chemical processes during nanoparticle synthesis with liquid phase electron microscopy and correlative techniques. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:12830-12846. [PMID: 37807847 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03723a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM) has enabled unprecedented direct real time imaging of physicochemical processes during solution phase synthesis of metallic nanoparticles. LPTEM primarily provides images of nanometer scale, and sometimes atomic scale, metal nanoparticle crystallization processes, but provides little chemical information about organic surface ligands, metal-ligand complexes and reaction intermediates, and redox reactions. Likewise, complex electron beam-solvent interactions during LPTEM make it challenging to pinpoint the chemical processes, some involving exotic highly reactive radicals, impacting nanoparticle formation. Pairing LPTEM with correlative solution synthesis, ex situ chemical analysis, and theoretical modeling represents a powerful approach to gain a holistic understanding of the chemical processes involved in nanoparticle synthesis. In this feature article, we review recent work by our lab and others that has focused on elucidating chemical processes during nanoparticle synthesis using LPTEM and correlative chemical characterization and modeling, including mass and optical spectrometry, fluorescence microscopy, solution chemistry, and reaction kinetic modeling. In particular, we show how these approaches enable investigating redox chemistry during LPTEM, polymeric and organic capping ligands, metal deposition mechanisms on plasmonic nanoparticles, metal clusters and complexes, and multimetallic nanoparticle formation. Future avenues of research are discussed, including moving beyond electron beam induced nanoparticle formation by using light and thermal stimuli during LPTEM. We discuss prospects for real time LPTEM imaging and online chemical analysis of reaction intermediates using microfluidic flow reactors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Thilini U Dissanayake
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| | - Jiayue Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA
| | - Taylor J Woehl
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zheng A, Yin K, Pan R, Zhu M, Xiong Y, Sun L. Research Progress on Metal-Organic Frameworks by Advanced Transmission Electron Microscopy. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:nano13111742. [PMID: 37299645 DOI: 10.3390/nano13111742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), composed of metal nodes and inorganic linkers, are promising for a wide range of applications due to their unique periodic frameworks. Understanding structure-activity relationships can facilitate the development of new MOFs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful technique to characterize the microstructures of MOFs at the atomic scale. In addition, it is possible to directly visualize the microstructural evolution of MOFs in real time under working conditions via in situ TEM setups. Although MOFs are sensitive to high-energy electron beams, much progress has been made due to the development of advanced TEM. In this review, we first introduce the main damage mechanisms for MOFs under electron-beam irradiation and two strategies to minimize these damages: low-dose TEM and cryo-TEM. Then we discuss three typical techniques to analyze the microstructure of MOFs, including three-dimensional electron diffraction, imaging using direct-detection electron-counting cameras, and iDPC-STEM. Groundbreaking milestones and research advances of MOFs structures obtained with these techniques are highlighted. In situ TEM studies are reviewed to provide insights into the dynamics of MOFs induced by various stimuli. Additionally, perspectives are analyzed for promising TEM techniques in the research of MOFs' structures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anqi Zheng
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Kuibo Yin
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Rui Pan
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Mingyun Zhu
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yuwei Xiong
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Litao Sun
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Laboratory of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Han X, Su R, Chen W, Han Q, Tian Y, Han J, Wang X, Song S, Reddy KM, Deng H, Liu P, Chen M. Oriented attachment interfaces of zeolitic imidazolate framework nanocrystals. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:7703-7709. [PMID: 37039237 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr00702b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the growth and coarsening mechanisms of metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles is crucially important for the design and fabrication of MOF materials with diverse functionalities and controllable stability. Oriented attachment (OA) growth is a common manner of MOF nanocrystal coarsening and agglomeration, but the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been well understood to date. Here we report the molecular-scale characterization of the OA interfaces of zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) crystals by state-of-the-art low-dose aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy. A series of OA interfaces with different molecular structures are captured, implying that multiple kinetic steps are involved in the OA growth of ZIF crystals from non-directional physical attractions between primary nanocrystals, lattice-aligned attachment of the ligand-capped nanocrystals, to coherent interfaces with perfect lattice alignment or stacking faults. It was found that the surface-capping organic ligands not only play an essential role in crystal lattice alignment by near-field directional interactions, but also dominate the interfacial reaction kinetics by interfacial diffusion-controlled elimination of excess surface-capping ligands. These observations provide molecular-scale insights into the OA growth mechanisms of ZIF crystals, which is important for engineering MOF crystal growth pathways by designing surface-capping ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocang Han
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Su
- College of Materials & Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou 310018, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqian Chen
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Han
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Tian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - Jiuhui Han
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangxi Song
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Kolan Madhav Reddy
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Hexiang Deng
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Polymers-Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, People's Republic of China
- Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8577, Japan
| | - Mingwei Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Barrett JA, Rosenmann ND, Gnanasekaran K, Carroll XB, Gianneschi NC, Jenkins DM. Statistical copolymer metal organic nanotubes. Chem Sci 2023; 14:1003-1009. [PMID: 36755710 PMCID: PMC9890963 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc06084a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Metal-organic nanotubes (MONTs) are 1-dimensional crystalline porous materials that are formed from ligands and metals in a manner identical to more typical 3-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MONTs form anisotropically in one dimension making them excellent candidates for linker engineering for control of chemical composition and spacing. A novel series of MONTs was synthesized utilizing a mixture of 1,2,4-ditriazole ligands containing both a fully protonated aryl moiety and its tetrafluorinated analog in ratios of, 0 : 1, 1 : 4, 1 : 1, 4 : 1, and 1 : 0, respectively. All MONTs were characterized by both bulk and nanoscale measurements, including SCXRD, PXRD, ssNMR and TEM, to determine the resulting co-polymer architecture (alternating, block, or statistical) and the ligand ratios in the solid materials. All characterization methods point towards statistical copolymerization of the materials in a manner analogous to 3D MOFs, all of which notably could be achieved without destructive analytical methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacob A. Barrett
- Department of Chemistry, University of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennessee 37996USA
| | - Nathan D. Rosenmann
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinois60208USA
| | - Karthikeyan Gnanasekaran
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University Evanston Illinois 60208 USA
| | - Xian B. Carroll
- Department of Chemistry, University of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennessee 37996USA
| | - Nathan C. Gianneschi
- Departments of Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, International Institute for Nanotechnology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinois60208USA
| | - David M. Jenkins
- Department of Chemistry, University of TennesseeKnoxvilleTennessee 37996USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang X, Hung TF, Chen FR, Wang WX. In Situ Tracking of Crystal-Surface-Dependent Cu 2O Nanoparticle Dissolution in an Aqueous Environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1006-1016. [PMID: 36598407 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c07845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Metal-oxide-based nanoparticles (MONPs) such as Cu2O NPs have attracted growing attention, but the potential discharges of MONPs have raised considerable concern of their environmental fate including their dissolution behavior. The impacts of morphology on MONP dissolution are largely uncertain due to the lack of in situ tracking techniques. In this study, we combined a series of in situ technologies including liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence probes to reveal the in situ dissolution process of Cu2O NPs in freshwater. Our results suggest that cubic Cu2O NPs exhibit a higher dissolution quantity compared with spherical NPs of the same surface area. The difference was mainly related to the crystal surface, while other factors such as particle size or aggregation status showed minor effects. Importantly, we demonstrated the simultaneous growth of new small NPs and the dissolution of pristine Cu2O NPs during the dissolution of Cu2O NPs. Cubic Cu2O NPs became much less soluble under O2-limited conditions, suggesting that O2 concentration largely affected the dependence of dissolution on the NP morphology. Our findings highlight the potential application of in situ techniques to track the environmental fates of MONPs, which would provide important information for assessing the ecological risks of engineered NPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrui Wang
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen518057, China
| | - Tak-Fu Hung
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Fu-Rong Chen
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Wen-Xiong Wang
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen518057, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Subramanian V, Martin DC. In Situ Observations of Nanofibril Nucleation and Growth during the Electrochemical Polymerization of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Using Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:9077-9084. [PMID: 34672611 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical deposition of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) has been carried out previously in the presence of a variety of counterions. Previous studies have shown that elongated nanofibrillar structures of PEDOT would form reproducibly when certain counterions such as poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were added to the reaction mixture. However, details of the nanofibril nucleation and growth stages were not yet clear. Here, we describe the structural evolution of PEDOT nanofibrils using liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LPTEM). We measured the growth velocities of nanofibrils in different directions at various stages of the process and their intensity profiles, and we have estimated the number of EDOT monomers involved. We observed that fibrils initially grew anisotropically in a direction nominally perpendicular to the local edge of the electrodes, with rates that were faster along their lengths as compared those along to their widths and thicknesses. These real-time observations have helped us elucidate the nucleation and growth of PEDOT nanofibrils during electrochemical deposition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vivek Subramanian
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| | - David C Martin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Rizvi A, Mulvey JT, Carpenter BP, Talosig R, Patterson JP. A Close Look at Molecular Self-Assembly with the Transmission Electron Microscope. Chem Rev 2021; 121:14232-14280. [PMID: 34329552 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Molecular self-assembly is pervasive in the formation of living and synthetic materials. Knowledge gained from research into the principles of molecular self-assembly drives innovation in the biological, chemical, and materials sciences. Self-assembly processes span a wide range of temporal and spatial domains and are often unintuitive and complex. Studying such complex processes requires an arsenal of analytical and computational tools. Within this arsenal, the transmission electron microscope stands out for its unique ability to visualize and quantify self-assembly structures and processes. This review describes the contribution that the transmission electron microscope has made to the field of molecular self-assembly. An emphasis is placed on which TEM methods are applicable to different structures and processes and how TEM can be used in combination with other experimental or computational methods. Finally, we provide an outlook on the current challenges to, and opportunities for, increasing the impact that the transmission electron microscope can have on molecular self-assembly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aoon Rizvi
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Justin T Mulvey
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Brooke P Carpenter
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Rain Talosig
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Joseph P Patterson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wang W, Chee SW, Yan H, Erofeev I, Mirsaidov U. Growth Dynamics of Vertical and Lateral Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets during Electrodeposition. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:5977-5983. [PMID: 34255526 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c00898] [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
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are a class of lamellar materials with a wide range of potential catalytic applications. LDHs form from positively charged 2D atomic layers separated by charge-balancing anions and solvent molecules. Typically, nanoscale LDH sheets can grow vertical or parallel to a substrate, exposing their different active facets. These two growth modes of LDH nanosheets have a significant impact on their electrocatalytic properties, yet the details of their growth remain unknown, hindering our ability to design and synthesize high-performance LDH-based electrocatalysts. Here, we investigate the growth pathways of LDH nanosheets using in situ electrochemical liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and show that the growth modes of LDH nanosheets can be controlled by tuning the precursor concentrations. Moreover, our observations reveal that LDH nanosheets grow via two pathways: (1) monomer addition, where the adatoms are heterogeneously deposited onto the LDH nanosheets, and (2) coalescence, where adjacent nanosheets merge together.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Wang
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore
| | - See Wee Chee
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117546, Singapore
| | - Hongwei Yan
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore
| | - Ivan Erofeev
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore
| | - Utkur Mirsaidov
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117557, Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117546, Singapore
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang M, Leff AC, Li Y, Woehl TJ. Visualizing Ligand-Mediated Bimetallic Nanocrystal Formation Pathways with in Situ Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy Synthesis. ACS NANO 2021; 15:2578-2588. [PMID: 33496576 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal synthesis of alloyed multimetallic nanocrystals with precise composition control remains a challenge and a critical missing link in theory-driven rational design of functional nanomaterials. Liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (LP-TEM) enables direct visualization of nanocrystal formation mechanisms that can inform discovery of design rules for nanocrystal synthesis, but it remains unclear whether the salient flask synthesis chemistry is preserved under electron beam irradiation during LP-TEM. Here, we demonstrate controlled in situ LP-TEM synthesis of alloyed AuCu nanocrystals while maintaining the molecular structure of electron beam sensitive metal thiolate precursor complexes. Ex situ flask synthesis experiments formed alloyed nanocrystals containing on average 70 atomic% Au using heteronuclear metal thiolate complexes as a precursor, while gold-rich alloys with nearly no copper formed in their absence. Systematic dose rate-controlled in situ LP-TEM synthesis experiments established a range of electron beam synthesis conditions that formed alloyed AuCu nanocrystals that had statistically indistinguishable alloy composition, aggregation state, and particle size distribution shape compared to ex situ flask synthesis, indicating the flask synthesis chemistry was preserved under these conditions. Reaction kinetic simulations of radical-ligand reactions revealed that polymer capping ligands acted as effective hydroxyl radical scavengers during LP-TEM synthesis and prevented oxidation of metal thiolate complexes at low dose rates. Our results revealed a key role of the capping ligands aside from their well-known functions, which was to prevent copper oxidation and facilitate formation of prenucleation cluster intermediates via formation of metal thiolate complexes. This work demonstrates that complex ion precursor chemistry can be maintained during LP-TEM imaging, enabling probing nonclassical nanocrystal formation mechanisms with LP-TEM under reaction conditions representative of ex situ flask synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Wang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Asher C Leff
- Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate, Combat Capabilities Development Command, United States Army Research Laboratory, Adelphi, Maryland 20783, United States
- General Technical Services, LLC, Wall Township, New Jersey 07727, United States
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| | - Taylor J Woehl
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, United States
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang W, Yan H, Anand U, Mirsaidov U. Visualizing the Conversion of Metal–Organic Framework Nanoparticles into Hollow Layered Double Hydroxide Nanocages. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:1854-1862. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c10285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Wang
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117557, Singapore
| | - Hongwei Yan
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117557, Singapore
| | - Utkarsh Anand
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117557, Singapore
| | - Utkur Mirsaidov
- Department of Physics, National University of Singapore, 117551, Singapore
- Centre for BioImaging Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117557, Singapore
- Centre for Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre, National University of Singapore, 117546, Singapore
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117575, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gong X, Gnanasekaran K, Chen Z, Robison L, Wasson MC, Bentz KC, Cohen SM, Farha OK, Gianneschi NC. Insights into the Structure and Dynamics of Metal–Organic Frameworks via Transmission Electron Microscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:17224-17235. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c08773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Gong
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Karthikeyan Gnanasekaran
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Zhijie Chen
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Lee Robison
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Megan C. Wasson
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Kyle C. Bentz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, United States
| | - Seth M. Cohen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, United States
| | - Omar K. Farha
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Nathan C. Gianneschi
- Department of Chemistry and International Institute of Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Pharmacology, Simpson-Querrey Institute, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Lurie Cancer Center, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| |
Collapse
|