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Xia Q, Pan Y, Liu B, Zhang X, Li E, Shen T, Li S, Xu N, Ding J, Wang C, Vecitis CD, Gao G. Solar-driven abnormal evaporation of nanoconfined water. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj3760. [PMID: 38820164 PMCID: PMC11141626 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj3760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Intrinsic water evaporation demands a high energy input, which limits the efficacy of conventional interfacial solar evaporators. Here, we propose a nanoconfinement strategy altering inherent properties of water for solar-driven water evaporation using a highly uniform composite of vertically aligned Janus carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The water evaporation from the CNT shows the unexpected diameter-dependent evaporation rate, increasing abnormally with decreasing nanochannel diameter. The evaporation rate of CNT10@AAO evaporator thermodynamically exceeds the theoretical limit (1.47 kg m-2 hour-1 under one sun). A hybrid experimental, theoretical, and molecular simulation approach provided fundamental evidence of different nanoconfined water properties. The decreased number of H-bonds and lower interaction energy barrier of water molecules within CNT and formed water clusters may be one of the reasons for the less evaporative energy activating rapid nanoconfined water vaporization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yifan Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Laboratoire de Physique des Solides Bât. 510, Université Paris Saclay, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - Bin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- College of Safety Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, Jiangsu, China
| | - Enze Li
- Institute of Resources and Environmental Engineering, State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization Technology of Coal Waste Resources, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
| | - Tao Shen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Shuang Li
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Ning Xu
- College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jie Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chao Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225002, China
| | - Chad D. Vecitis
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Guandao Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
- Chongqing Innovation Research Institute of Nanjing University, Chongqing 401121, China
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2
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Li JY, Wang ZB, Xu ZP, Xiao DD, Gu L, Wang H. Modes of Nanodroplet Formation and Growth on an Ultrathin Water Film. J Phys Chem B 2024; 128:3732-3741. [PMID: 38568211 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c07150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Using nanobubbles as geometrical confinements, we create a thin water film (∼10 nm) in a graphene liquid cell and investigate the evolution of its instability at the nanoscale under transmission electron microscopy. The breakdown of the water films, resulting in the subsequent formation and growth of nanodroplets, is visualized and generalized into different modes. We identified distinct droplet formation and growth modes by analyzing the dynamic processes involving 61 droplets and 110 liquid bridges within 31 Graphene Liquid Cells (GLCs). Droplet formation is influenced by their positions in GLCs, taking on a semicircular shape at the edge and a circular shape in the middle. Growth modes include liquid mass transfer driven by Plateau-Rayleigh instability and merging processes in and out-of-plane of the graphene interface. Droplet growth can lead to the formation of liquid bridges for which we obtain multiview projections. Data analysis reveals the general dynamics of liquid bridges, including drawing liquids from neighboring residual water films, merging with surrounding droplets, and merging with other liquid bridges. Our experimental observations provide insights into fluid transport at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Ye Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Zi-Bing Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Peng Xu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Dong-Dong Xiao
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Lin Gu
- Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
- School of Material Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100190, P. R. China
| | - Huan Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, National Biomedical Imaging Center, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry & Physics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
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3
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Lin Y, Zhou T, Rosenmann ND, Yu L, Gage TE, Banik S, Neogi A, Chan H, Lei A, Lin XM, Holt M, Arslan I, Wen J. Surface premelting of ice far below the triple point. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304148120. [PMID: 37844213 PMCID: PMC10622896 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304148120] [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: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Premelting of ice, a quasi-liquid layer (QLL) at the surface below the melting temperature, was first postulated by Michael Faraday 160 y ago. Since then, it has been extensively studied theoretically and experimentally through many techniques. Existing work has been performed predominantly on hexagonal ice, at conditions close to the triple point. Whether the same phenomenon can persist at much lower pressure and temperature, where stacking disordered ice sublimates directly into water vapor, remains unclear. Herein, we report direct observations of surface premelting on ice nanocrystals below the sublimation temperature using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Similar to what has been reported on hexagonal ice, a QLL is found at the solid-vapor interface. It preferentially decorates certain facets, and its thickness increases as the phase transition temperature is approached. In situ TEM reveals strong diffusion of the QLL, while electron energy loss spectroscopy confirms its amorphous nature. More significantly, the premelting observed in this work is thought to be related to the metastable low-density ultraviscous water, instead of ambient liquid water as in the case of hexagonal ice. This opens a route to understand premelting and grassy liquid state, far away from the normal water triple point.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Lin
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhou
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | | | - Lei Yu
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Thomas E. Gage
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Suvo Banik
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Arnab Neogi
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Henry Chan
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Aiwen Lei
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, the Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan430072, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Min Lin
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Martin Holt
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Ilke Arslan
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
| | - Jianguo Wen
- Center for Nanoscale Materials, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, IL60439
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4
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Hirokawa S, Teshima H, Solís-Fernández P, Ago H, Li QY, Takahashi K. Random but limited pressure of graphene liquid cells. Ultramicroscopy 2023; 250:113747. [PMID: 37104983 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113747] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
Even though many researchers have used graphene liquid cells for atomic-resolution observation of liquid samples in the last decade, no one has yet simultaneously measured their three-dimensional shape and pressure. In this study, we have done so with an atomic force microscope, for cells with base radii of 20-134 nm and height of 3.9-21.2 nm. Their inner pressure ranged from 1.0 to 63 MPa but the maximum value decreased as the base radius increased. We discuss the mechanism that results in this inverse relationship by introducing an adhesive force between the graphene membranes. Also, the sample preparation procedure used in this experiment is highly reproducible and transferable to a wide variety of substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sota Hirokawa
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Hideaki Teshima
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Pablo Solís-Fernández
- Global Innovation Center, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
| | - Hiroki Ago
- Global Innovation Center, Kyushu University, 6-1 Kasuga-koen, Kasuga, Fukuoka 816-8580, Japan
| | - Qin-Yi Li
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
| | - Koji Takahashi
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan; International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.
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5
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Phakatkar AH, Megaridis CM, Shokuhfar T, Shahbazian-Yassar R. Real-time TEM observations of ice formation in graphene liquid cell. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:7006-7013. [PMID: 36946122 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr00097d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The study of ice nucleation and growth at the nanoscale is of utmost importance in geological and atmospheric sciences. However, existing transmission electron microscopy (TEM) approaches have been unsuccessful in imaging ice formation directly. Herein, we demonstrate how radical scavengers - such as TiO2 - encased with water in graphene liquid cells (GLCs) facilitate the observation of ice nucleation phenomena at low temperatures. Atomic-resolution imaging reveals the nucleation and growth of cubic ice-phase crystals at close proximity to TiO2-water nanointerfaces at low temperatures. Interestingly, both heterogeneously and homogeneously nucleated ice crystals exhibited this cubic phase. Ice crystal nuclei were observed to be more stable at the TiO2-water nanointerface, as compared with crystals in the bulk liquid (homogeneous nucleation), suggesting the radical scavenging efficacy of TiO2 nanoparticles mitigating the electron beam by-products. The present work demonstrates that the use of radical scavengers in GLC TEM shows great promise towards unveiling the nanoscale pathways for ice nucleation and growth dynamic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit H Phakatkar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Constantine M Megaridis
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Tolou Shokuhfar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Reza Shahbazian-Yassar
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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6
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Crook MF, Moreno-Hernandez IA, Ondry JC, Ciston J, Bustillo KC, Vargas A, Alivisatos AP. EELS Studies of Cerium Electrolyte Reveal Substantial Solute Concentration Effects in Graphene Liquid Cells. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:6648-6657. [PMID: 36939571 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cell transmission electron microscopy is a powerful technique to visualize nanoscale dynamics and transformations at atomic resolution. However, the solution in liquid cells is known to be affected by radiolysis, and the stochastic formation of graphene liquid cells raises questions about the solution chemistry in individual pockets. In this study, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) was used to evaluate a model encapsulated solution, aqueous CeCl3. First, the ratio between the O K-edge and Ce M-edge was used to approximate the concentration of cerium salt in the graphene liquid cell. It was determined that the ratio between oxygen and cerium was orders of magnitude lower than what is expected for a dilute solution, indicating that the encapsulated solution is highly concentrated. To probe how this affects the chemistry within graphene liquid cells, the oxidation of Ce3+ was measured using time-resolved parallel EELS. It was determined that Ce3+ oxidizes faster under high electron fluxes, but reaches the same steady-state Ce4+ concentration regardless of flux. The time-resolved concentration profiles enabled direct comparison to radiolysis models, which indicate rate constants and g-values of certain molecular species are substantially different in the highly concentrated environment. Finally, electron flux-dependent gold nanocrystal etching trajectories showed that gold nanocrystals etch faster at higher electron fluxes, correlating well with the Ce3+ oxidation kinetics. Understanding the effects of the highly concentrated solution in graphene liquid cells will provide new insight on previous studies and may open up opportunities to systematically study systems in highly concentrated solutions at high resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle F Crook
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ivan A Moreno-Hernandez
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Justin C Ondry
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jim Ciston
- National Center for Electron Microscopy Facility, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Karen C Bustillo
- National Center for Electron Microscopy Facility, Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Alfred Vargas
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - A Paul Alivisatos
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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7
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Jabbari V, Sawczyk M, Amiri A, Král P, Shahbazian-Yassar R. Unveiling growth and dynamics of liposomes by graphene liquid cell-transmission electron microscopy. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:5011-5022. [PMID: 36790028 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr06147c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Liposome is a model system for biotechnological and biomedical purposes spanning from targeted drug delivery to modern vaccine research. Yet, the growth mechanism of liposomes is largely unknown. In this work, the formation and evolution of phosphatidylcholine-based liposomes are studied in real-time by graphene liquid cell-transmission electron microscopy (GLC-TEM). We reveal important steps in the growth, fusion and denaturation of phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes. We show that initially complex lipid aggregates resembling micelles start to form. These aggregates randomly merge while capturing water and forming small proto-liposomes. The nanoscopic containers continue sucking water until their membrane becomes convex and free of redundant phospholipids, giving stabilized PC liposomes of different sizes. In the initial stage, proto-liposomes grow at a rate of 10-15 nm s-1, which is followed by their growth rate of 2-5 nm s-1, limited by the lipid availability in the solution. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to understand the structure of micellar clusters, their evolution, and merging. The liposomes are also found to fuse through lipid bilayers docking followed by the formation of a hemifusion diaphragm and fusion pore opening. The liposomes denaturation can be described by initial structural destabilization and deformation of the membrane followed by the leakage of the encapsulated liquid. This study offers new insights on the formation and growth of lipid-based molecular assemblies which is applicable to a wide range of amphiphilic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Jabbari
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. rsyassar@uic
| | - Michal Sawczyk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Azadeh Amiri
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. rsyassar@uic
| | - Petr Král
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Department of Physics, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Reza Shahbazian-Yassar
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA. rsyassar@uic
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8
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Garcia R. Interfacial Liquid Water on Graphite, Graphene, and 2D Materials. ACS NANO 2023; 17:51-69. [PMID: 36507725 PMCID: PMC10664075 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The optical, electronic, and mechanical properties of graphite, few-layer, and two-dimensional (2D) materials have prompted a considerable number of applications. Biosensing, energy storage, and water desalination illustrate applications that require a molecular-scale understanding of the interfacial water structure on 2D materials. This review introduces the most recent experimental and theoretical advances on the structure of interfacial liquid water on graphite-like and 2D materials surfaces. On pristine conditions, atomic-scale resolution experiments revealed the existence of 1-3 hydration layers. Those layers were separated by ∼0.3 nm. The experimental data were supported by molecular dynamics simulations. However, under standard working conditions, atomic-scale resolution experiments revealed the presence of 2-3 hydrocarbon layers. Those layers were separated by ∼0.5 nm. Linear alkanes were the dominant molecular specie within the hydrocarbon layers. Paradoxically, the interface of an aged 2D material surface immersed in water does not have water molecules on its vicinity. Free-energy considerations favored the replacement of water by alkanes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Garcia
- Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales
de Madrid, CSIC, c/Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz 3, 28049Madrid, Spain
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9
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Roys JS, O'Brien JM, Stucchi ND, Raj G, Hill AD, Ye J, Brown RD. Enhanced Crystallinity of Covalent Organic Frameworks Formed Under Physical Confinement by Exfoliated Graphene. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2204152. [PMID: 36216741 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202204152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The polymerization of 1,4-benzenediboronic acid (BDBA) on mica to form a covalent organic framework (COF-1) reveals a dramatic increase in crystallinity when physically confined by exfoliated graphene. COF-1 domains formed under graphene confinement are highly geometric in shape and on the order of square micrometers in size, while outside of the exfoliated flakes, the COF-1 does not exhibit long-range mesoscale structural order, according to atomic force microscopy imaging. Micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the presence of COF-1 both outside and underneath the exfoliated graphene flakes, and density functional theory calculations predict that higher mobility and self-assembly are not causes of this higher degree of crystallinity for the confined COF-1 domains. The most likely origin of the confined COF-1's substantial increase in crystallinity is from enhanced dynamic covalent crystallization due to the water confined beneath the graphene flake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua S Roys
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
| | - Jennifer M O'Brien
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
| | - Nicholas D Stucchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
| | - Gaurav Raj
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
| | - Adam D Hill
- Department of Chemistry, St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY, 13617, USA
| | - Jingyun Ye
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA
| | - Ryan D Brown
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Science, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
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10
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Li M, Ling L. Visualizing Dynamic Environmental Processes in Liquid at Nanoscale via Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2022; 16:15503-15511. [PMID: 35969015 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c04246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Visualizing the structure and processes in liquids at the nanoscale is essential for understanding the fundamental mechanisms and underlying processes of environmental research. Cutting-edge progress of in situ liquid-phase (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (LP-S/TEM) and inferred possible applications are highlighted as a more and more indispensable tool for visualization of dynamic environmental processes in this Perspective. Advancements in nanofabrication technology, high-speed imaging, comprehensive detectors, and spectroscopy analysis have made it increasingly convenient to use LP S/TEM, thus providing an approach for visualization of direct and insightful scientific information with the exciting possibility of solving an increasing number of tricky environmental problems. This includes evaluating the transformation fate and path of contamination, assessing toxicology of nanomaterials, simulating solid surface corrosion processes in the environment, and observing water pollution control processes. Distinct nanoscale or even atomic understanding of the reaction would provide dependable and precise identification and quantification of contaminants in dynamic processes, thus facilitating trouble-tracing of environmental problems with amplifying complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meirong Li
- State Key Laboratory for Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lan Ling
- State Key Laboratory for Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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11
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Liu H, Song Y, Shi C, Zhao J, Ling Z. Investigating the synergistic initiating effect on promoting methane hydrate formation via mixed graphene and sodium cholate. J Mol Liq 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.118134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Crook MF, Laube C, Moreno-Hernandez IA, Kahnt A, Zahn S, Ondry JC, Liu A, Alivisatos AP. Elucidating the Role of Halides and Iron during Radiolysis-Driven Oxidative Etching of Gold Nanocrystals Using Liquid Cell Transmission Electron Microscopy and Pulse Radiolysis. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:11703-11713. [PMID: 34292703 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c05099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has enabled the observation of a variety of nanoscale transformations. Yet understanding the chemistry of the liquid cell solution and its impact on the observed transformations remains an important step toward translating insights from liquid cell TEM to benchtop chemistry. Gold nanocrystal etching can be used as a model system to probe the reactivity of the solution. FeCl3 has been widely used to promote gold oxidation in bulk and liquid cell TEM studies, but the roles of the halide and iron species have not been fully elucidated. In this work, we observed the etching trajectories of gold nanocrystals in different iron halide solutions. We observed an increase in gold nanocrystal etch rate going from Cl-- to Br-- to I--containing solutions. This is consistent with a mechanism in which the dominant role of halides is as complexation agents for oxidized gold species. Additionally, the mechanism through which FeCl3 induces etching in liquid cell TEM remains unclear. Ground-state bleaching of the Fe(III) absorption band observed through pulse radiolysis indicates that iron may react with Cl2·- radicals to form an oxidized transient species under irradiation. Complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations indicate that the FeCl3 complex is oxidized to an Fe species with an OH radical ligand. Together our data indicate that an oxidized Fe species may be the active oxidant, while halides modulate the etch rate by tuning the reduction potential of gold nanocrystals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle F Crook
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Christian Laube
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ivan A Moreno-Hernandez
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Axel Kahnt
- Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM), Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stefan Zahn
- Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM), Permoserstr. 15, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Justin C Ondry
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, University of California-Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Aijia Liu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - A Paul Alivisatos
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, University of California-Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California-Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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13
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Verification of water presence in graphene liquid cells. Micron 2021; 149:103109. [PMID: 34332298 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cells (GLCs) present the thinnest possible sample enclosures for liquid phase electron microscopy. However, the actual presence of liquid within a GLC is not always guaranteed. Of key importance is to reliably test the presence of the liquid, which is most frequently water or saline. Here, the commonly used methods for verifying the presence of water were evaluated. It is shown that depending on the type of sample, applying a single criterion does not always conclusively verify the presence of water. Testing liquid filling for a specific GLC sample preparation protocol should thus be considered critically. The most reliable method is direct observation of the water exciton peak using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). But if this method cannot be carried out, water filling of the GLC can be verified from a combination of higher contrast in the image, the presence of bubbles, and an oxygen signal in the EEL spectrum, which can be accomplished at a high electron dose in spot mode. Nanoparticle movement does not always occur in a GLC.
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Both AK, Gao Y, Zeng XC, Cheung CL. Gas hydrates in confined space of nanoporous materials: new frontier in gas storage technology. NANOSCALE 2021; 13:7447-7470. [PMID: 33876814 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr00751c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Gas hydrates (clathrate hydrates, clathrates, or hydrates) are crystalline inclusion compounds composed of water and gas molecules. Methane hydrates, the most well-known gas hydrates, are considered a menace in flow assurance. However, they have also been hailed as an alternative energy resource because of their high methane storage capacity. Since the formation of gas hydrates generally requires extreme conditions, developing porous material hosts to synthesize gas hydrates with less-demanding constraints is a topic of great interest to the materials and energy science communities. Though reports of modeling and experimental analysis of bulk gas hydrates are plentiful in the literature, reliable phase data for gas hydrates within confined spaces of nanoporous media have been sporadic. This review examines recent studies of both experiments and theoretical modeling of gas hydrates within four categories of nanoporous material hosts that include porous carbons, metal-organic frameworks, graphene nanoslits, and carbon nanotubes. We identify challenges associated with these porous systems and discuss the prospects of gas hydrates in confined space for potential applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avinash Kumar Both
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, USA.
| | - Yurui Gao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, USA.
| | - Xiao Cheng Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, USA.
| | - Chin Li Cheung
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588, USA.
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15
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Park J, Koo K, Noh N, Chang JH, Cheong JY, Dae KS, Park JS, Ji S, Kim ID, Yuk JM. Graphene Liquid Cell Electron Microscopy: Progress, Applications, and Perspectives. ACS NANO 2021; 15:288-308. [PMID: 33395264 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c10229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Graphene liquid cell electron microscopy (GLC-EM), a cutting-edge liquid-phase EM technique, has become a powerful tool to directly visualize wet biological samples and the microstructural dynamics of nanomaterials in liquids. GLC uses graphene sheets with a one carbon atom thickness as a viewing window and a liquid container. As a result, GLC facilitates atomic-scale observation while sustaining intact liquids inside an ultra-high-vacuum transmission electron microscopy chamber. Using GLC-EM, diverse scientific results have been recently reported in the material, colloidal, environmental, and life science fields. Here, the developments of GLC fabrications, such as first-generation veil-type cells, second-generation well-type cells, and third-generation liquid-flowing cells, are summarized. Moreover, recent GLC-EM studies on colloidal nanoparticles, battery electrodes, mineralization, and wet biological samples are also highlighted. Finally, the considerations and future opportunities associated with GLC-EM are discussed to offer broad understanding and insight on atomic-resolution imaging in liquid-state dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungjae Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Namgyu Noh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Ha Chang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Young Cheong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyun Seong Dae
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Su Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyeon Ji
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Il-Doo Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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16
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Koo K, Park J, Ji S, Toleukhanova S, Yuk JM. Liquid-Flowing Graphene Chip-Based High-Resolution Electron Microscopy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2021; 33:e2005468. [PMID: 33215775 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202005468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The recent advances in liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy represent tremendous potential in many different fields and exciting new opportunities. However, achieving both high-resolution imaging and operando capabilities remain a significant challenge. This work suggests a novel in situ imaging platform of liquid-flowing graphene chip TEM (LFGC-TEM) equipped with graphene viewing windows and a liquid exchange system. The LFGCs are robust under high-pressure gradients and rapid liquid circulation in ranges covering the experimental conditions accessible with conventional thick SiNx chips. LFGC-TEM provides atomic resolution for colloidal nanoparticles and molecular-level information limits for unstained wet biomolecules and cells that are comparable to the resolutions achievable with solid-phase and cryogenic TEM, respectively. This imaging platform can provide an opportunity for live imaging of biological phenomena that is not yet achieved using any current methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunmo Koo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungjae Park
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyeon Ji
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Saltanat Toleukhanova
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
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17
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Wu H, Friedrich H, Patterson JP, Sommerdijk NAJM, de Jonge N. Liquid-Phase Electron Microscopy for Soft Matter Science and Biology. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2020; 32:e2001582. [PMID: 32419161 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202001582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Innovations in liquid-phase electron microscopy (LP-EM) have made it possible to perform experiments at the optimized conditions needed to examine soft matter. The main obstacle is conducting experiments in such a way that electron beam radiation can be used to obtain answers for scientific questions without changing the structure and (bio)chemical processes in the sample due to the influence of the radiation. By overcoming these experimental difficulties at least partially, LP-EM has evolved into a new microscopy method with nanometer spatial resolution and sub-second temporal resolution for analysis of soft matter in materials science and biology. Both experimental design and applications of LP-EM for soft matter materials science and biological research are reviewed, and a perspective of possible future directions is given.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanglong Wu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Heiner Friedrich
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, 5600 MB, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph P Patterson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Nico A J M Sommerdijk
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
| | - Niels de Jonge
- INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
- Department of Physics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, 66123, Germany
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Narayanan S, Shahbazian-Yassar R, Shokuhfar T. In Situ Visualization of Ferritin Biomineralization via Graphene Liquid Cell-Transmission Electron Microscopy. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3208-3216. [PMID: 33463263 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Ferritin biomineralization is essential to regulate the toxic Fe2+ iron ions in the human body. Unravelling the mechanism of biomineralization in ferritin facilitates our understanding of the causes underlying many iron disorder-related diseases. Until now, no report of in situ visualization of ferritin biomineralization events at nanoscale exists due to the requirement for high-resolution imaging of nanometer-sized ferritin proteins in their hydrated states. Herein, for the first time, we show that the biomineralization processes within individual ferritin proteins can be visualized by means of graphene liquid cell-transmission electron microscopy (GLC-TEM). The increase in the ratio of Fe3+/Fe2+ ions over time monitored via electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) reveals the change in oxidation state of iron oxide phases with time. This study lays a foundation for future investigations on iron regulation mechanisms in healthy and dysfunctional ferritins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surya Narayanan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 South Morgan Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Reza Shahbazian-Yassar
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 West Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Tolou Shokuhfar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 South Morgan Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
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19
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Banner DJ, Firlar E, Jakubonis J, Baggia Y, Osborn JK, Shahbazian-Yassar R, Megaridis CM, Shokuhfar T. Correlative ex situ and Liquid-Cell TEM Observation of Bacterial Cell Membrane Damage Induced by Rough Surface Topology. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:1929-1938. [PMID: 32256069 PMCID: PMC7093104 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s232230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nanoscale surface roughness has been suggested to have antibacterial and antifouling properties. Several existing models have attempted to explain the antibacterial mechanism of nanoscale rough surfaces without direct observation. Here, conventional and liquid-cell TEM are implemented to observe nanoscale bacteria/surface roughness interaction. The visualization of such interactions enables the inference of possible antibacterial mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS Nanotextures are synthesized on biocompatible polymer microparticles (MPs) via plasma etching. Both conventional and liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy observations suggest that these MPs may cause cell lysis via bacterial binding to a single protrusion of the nanotexture. The bacterium/protrusion interaction locally compromises the cell wall, thus causing bacterial death. This study suggests that local mechanical damage and leakage of the cytosol kill the bacteria first, with subsequent degradation of the cell envelope. CONCLUSION Nanoscale surface roughness may act via a penetrative bactericidal mechanism. This insight suggests that future research may focus on optimizing bacterial binding to individual nanoscale projections in addition to stretching bacteria between nanopillars. Further, antibacterial nanotextures may find use in novel applications employing particles in addition to nanotextures on fibers or films.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Banner
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
| | - Emre Firlar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
| | - Justas Jakubonis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
| | - Yusuf Baggia
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
| | - Jodi K Osborn
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
| | - Reza Shahbazian-Yassar
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
| | - Constantine M Megaridis
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
| | - Tolou Shokuhfar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL60607, USA
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Abstract
Water diffusion in nanopores has attracted considerable attention in the past decades. Recently the coupling between the vibration of pore walls and movement of confined water has been recognized to largely enhance diffusion. However, its impact on water diffusion in graphene oxide membranes remains to be discussed. Here we explore how water diffusion couples with the thermal fluctuation of graphene nanochannels by molecular dynamics simulations. Our finding demonstrates an approximately linear dependence of diffusion enhancement on temperature; i.e., the wiggling nanopore enhances diffusion at low temperature and inhibits diffusion at high temperature. This mechanism is further extended to be applicable for another two typical layered materials, hBN and MoS2. These results offer opportunities to tune surface diffusion by thermal operation or mechanical activation, advancing the application of two-dimensional materials in membrane separations.
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21
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Both AK, Cheung CL. Growth of carbon dioxide whiskers. RSC Adv 2019; 9:23780-23784. [PMID: 35530633 PMCID: PMC9069459 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra04583j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the growth of carbon dioxide (CO2) whiskers at low temperatures (−70 °C to −65 °C) and moderate pressure (4.4 to 1.0 bar). Their axial growth was assessed by optical video analysis. The identities of these whiskers were confirmed as CO2 solids by Raman spectroscopy. A vapor–solid growth mechanism was proposed based on the influence of the relative humidity on the growth. Carbon dioxide (CO2) whiskers were reported to grow at low temperatures (−70 °C to −65 °C) and moderate pressure (4.4 to 1.0 bar).![]()
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Chin Li Cheung
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln Nebraska 68588 USA
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