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At least 235 records · Page 13

Revealing High Na-Content P2-Type Layered Oxides as Advanced Sodium-Ion Cathodes

Layered Na-based oxides with the general composition of Na x TMO 2 (TM: transition metal) have attracted significant attention for their high compositional diversity that provides tunable electrochemical performance for electrodes in sodium-ion batteries. The various compositions bring forward complex structural chemistry that is decisive for the layered stacking structure, Na-ion conductivity, and the redox activity, potentially promising new avenues in functional material properties. In this work, we have explored the maximum Na content in P2-type layered oxides and discovered that the high-content Na in the host enhances the structural stability; moreover, it promotes the oxidation of low-valent cations to their high oxidation states (in this case Ni 2+ ). This can be rationalized by the increased hybridization of the O(2p)-TM(3d-e g *) states, affecting both the local TM environment as well as the interactions between the NaO 2 and TMO 2 layers. These properties are highly beneficial for the Na storage capabilities as required for cathode materials in sodium-ion batteries. It leads to excellent Na-ion mobility, a large storage capacity (>100 mAh g –1 between 2.0-4.0 V), yet preventing the detrimental sliding of the TMO 2 layers (P2–O2 structural transition), as reflected by the ultralong cycle life (3000 (dis)charge cycles demonstrated). These findings expand the horizons of high Na-content P2-type materials, providing new insights of the electronic and structural chemistry for advanced cathode materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Understanding the Mechanism of Secondary Cation Release from the (001) Surface of Li(Ni 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 )O 2 : Insights from First-Principles

The transformations of complex metal oxides in aqueous settings must be studied to form a chemical understanding of how technologically relevant nanomaterials impact the environment upon disposal. Owing to the inherent heterogeneity and structural complexity of the ternary intercalation material Li(Ni x Mn y Co 1-x-y )O 2 (NMC), the mechanisms of chemical processes at the solid–water interfac e are challenging to model. Here, density functional theory (DFT) + solvent ion methodology is used to study the energetics of stepwise release of two surface metals following unique pathways. Further, the study spans different combinations of metal removal and also considers unique patterns of defects formed by modeling the NMC surface in supercells. The approach here also considers the equilibration of the surface with the surroundings between successive metal removals. A key finding is that a second metal removal prefers to proceed at a metal lattice site adjacent to the initial defect, and this is attributed in part to how the resulting slab with two metal vacancies maintains the most antiferromagnetic couplings between the remaining Ni/Mn.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural and biochemical characterisation of Co 2+ -binding sites on serum albumins and their interplay with fatty acids

Serum albumin–Co 2+ interactions are of clinical importance. They play a role in mediating the physiological effects associated with cobalt toxicity and are central to the albumin cobalt binding (ACB) assay for diagnosis of myocardial ischemia. To further understand these processes, a deeper understanding of albumin–Co 2+ interactions is required. Here, we present the first crystallographic structures of human serum albumin (HSA; three structures) and equine serum albumin (ESA; one structure) in complex with Co 2+ . Amongst a total of sixteen sites bearing a cobalt ion across the structures, two locations were prominent, and they relate to metal-binding sites A and B. Site-directed mutagenesis and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) were employed to characterise sites on HSA. The results indicate that His9 and His67 contribute to the primary (putatively corresponding to site B) and secondary Co 2+ -binding sites (site A), respectively. The presence of additional multiple weak-affinity Co 2+ binding sites on HSA was also supported by ITC studies. Furthermore, addition of 5 molar equivalents of the non-esterified fatty acid palmitate (C16:0) reduced the Co 2+ -binding affinity at both sites A and B. The presence of bound myristate (C14:0) in the HSA crystal structures provided insight into the fatty acid-mediated structural changes that diminish the affinity of the protein toward Co 2+ . Together, these data provide further support for the idea that ischemia-modified albumin corresponds to albumin with excessive fatty-acid loading. Collectively, our findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the molecular underpinnings governing Co 2+ binding to serum albumin.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Electrochemical testing of metals for petroleum wastewater monitoring

The purpose of this project was to determine the feasibility of ion-selective electrode (ISE) as compared to x-ray fluorescence (XRF) for determining the concentrations of metal ions in petroleum wastewater. ISEs for silver and cadmium were tested in a laboratory under increasingly realistic conditions, then deployed in the sewer wastewater monitoring complex to simulate a petroleum wastewater system. By verifying the ISE calibration after wastewater exposure and comparing its measurements to the XRF systems within the wastewater monitoring system, we determined that the ISE is more sensitive but less feasible for use in live wastewater monitoring due to fouling concerns.

Energy - Petroleum↗

Controlled large-area lithium deposition to reduce swelling of high-energy lithium metal pouch cells in liquid electrolytes

Lithium (Li) metal battery technology, renowned for its high energy density, faces practical challenges, particularly concerning large volume change and cell swelling. Despite the profound impact of external pressure on cell performance, there is a notable gap in research regarding the interplay between external pressure and the electroplating behaviours of Li+ in large-format pouch cells. Here we delve into the impact of externally applied pressure on electroplating and stripping of Li in 350 Wh kg –1 pouch cells. Employing a hybrid design, we monitor and quantify self-generated pressures, correlating them with observed charge–discharge processes. A two-stage cycling process is proposed, revealing controlled pouch cell swelling of less than 10%, comparable to state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries. Finally, the pressure distribution across the cell surface unveils a complex Li+ detour behaviour during electroplating, highlighting the need for innovative strategies to address uneven Li plating and enhance Li metal battery technology.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Metal-hydrogen-pi-bonded organic frameworks

We report the synthesis and characterization of a new series of permanently porous, three-dimensional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), M-HAF-2 (M = Fe, Ga, or In), constructed from tetratopic, hydroxamate-based, chelating linkers. Here, the structure of M-HAF-2 was determined by three-dimensional electron diffraction (3D ED), revealing a unique interpenetrated hcb-a net topology. This unusual topology is enabled by the presence of free hydroxamic acid groups, which lead to the formation of a diverse network of cooperative interactions comprising metal–hydroxamate coordination interactions at single metal nodes, staggered π–π interactions between linkers, and H-bonding interactions between metal-coordinated and free hydroxamate groups. Such extensive, multimodal interconnectivity is reminiscent of the complex, noncovalent interaction networks of proteins and endows M-HAF-2 frameworks with high thermal and chemical stability and allows them to readily undergo postsynthetic metal ion exchange (PSE) between trivalent metal ions. We demonstrate that M-HAF-2 can serve as versatile porous materials for ionic separations, aided by one-dimensional channels lined by continuously π-stacked aromatic groups and H-bonding hydroxamate functionalities. As an addition to the small group of hydroxamic acid-based MOFs, M-HAF-2 represents a structural merger between MOFs and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) and illustrates the utility of non-canonical metal-coordinating functionalities in the discovery of new bonding and topological patterns in reticular materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Enthalpy of Uranium Adsorption onto Hematite

The influence of temperature on the adsorption of metal-ions at the solid-water interface is often overlooked, despite the important role that adsorption plays in metal ion fate and transport in the natural environment where temperatures vary widely. Herein, we examine the temperature-dependent adsorption of uranium, a widespread radioactive contaminant, onto the ubiquitous iron oxide, hematite. The multi-temperature batch adsorption data and surface complexation models indicate that adsorption of uranium, as the hexavalent uranyl (UO 2 2+ ) ion, increases significantly with increasing temperature, with an adsorption enthalpy (ΔH ads ) of +71 kJ mol –1 . We suggest that this endothermic, entropically-driven adsorption behavior is linked to reorganization of the uranyl-ion-hydration and interfacial water structures upon U VI adsorption at the hematite surface. Altogether, this work provides fundamental insight into the thermodynamics driving metal-ion adsorption reactions and provides the specific enthalpy value necessary for improved predictive geochemical modeling of U VI adsorption in the environment.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Strongly correlated and topological states in [111] grown transition metal oxide thin films and heterostructures

We highlight recent advances in the theory, materials fabrication, and experimental characterization of strongly correlated and topological states in [111] oriented transition metal oxide thin films and heterostructures, which are notoriously difficult to realize compared to their [001] oriented counterparts. We focus on two classes of complex oxides, with the chemical formulas ABO 3 and A 2 B 2 O 7 , where the B sites are occupied by an open-shell transition metal ion with a local moment and the A sites are typically a rare earth element. The [111] oriented quasi-two-dimensional lattices derived from these parent compound lattices can exhibit peculiar geometries and symmetries, namely, a buckled honeycomb lattice, as well as kagome and triangular lattices. These lattice motifs form the basis for emergent strongly correlated and topological states expressed in exotic magnetism, various forms of orbital ordering, topological insulators, topological semimetals, quantum anomalous Hall insulators, and quantum spin liquids. For transition metal ions with high atomic number, spin–orbit coupling plays a significant role and may give rise to additional topological features in the electronic band structure and in the spectrum of magnetic excitations. We conclude this perspective by articulating open challenges and opportunities in this actively developing field.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Erratum to: Soft- and reactive landing of ions onto surfaces: concepts and applications

Soft- and reactive landing of mass-selected ions is gaining attention as a promising approach for the precisely-controlled preparation of materials on surfaces that are not amenable to deposition using conventional methods. A broad range of ionization sources and mass filters are available that make ion soft-landing a versatile tool for surface modification using beams of hyperthermal (<100?eV) ions. The ability to select the mass-to-charge ratio of the ion, its kinetic energy and charge state, along with precise control of the size, shape, and position of the ion beam on the deposition target distinguishes ion soft landing from other surface modification techniques. Soft- and reactive landing have been used to prepare interfaces for practical applications as well as precisely-defined model surfaces for fundamental investigations in chemistry, physics, and materials science. For instance, soft- and reactive landing have been applied to study the surface chemistry of ions isolated in the gas-phase, prepare arrays of proteins for high-throughput biological screening, produce novel carbon-based and polymer materials, enrich the secondary structure of peptides and the chirality of organic molecules, immobilize electrochemically-active proteins and organometallics on electrodes, create thin films of complex molecules, and immobilize catalytically active organometallics as well as ligated metal clusters. In addition, soft landing has enabled investigation of the size-dependent behavior of bare metal clusters in the critical subnanometer size regime where chemical and physical properties do not scale predictably with size. The morphology, aggregation, and immobilization of larger bare metal nanoparticles, which are directly relevant to the design of catalysts as well as improved memory and electronic devices, have also been studied using ion soft landing. This review article begins in section 1 with a brief introduction to the existing applications of ion soft- and reactive landing. Section 2 provides an overview of the ionization sources and mass filters that have been used to date for soft landing of mass-selected ions. A discussion of the competing processes that occur during ion deposition as well as the types of ions and surfaces that have been investigated follows in section 3. Section 4 discusses the physical phenomena that occur during and after ion soft landing, including retention and reduction of ionic charge along with factors that impact the efficiency of ion deposition. The influence of soft landing on the secondary structure and biological activity of complex ions is addressed in section 5. Lastly, an overview of the structure and mobility as well as the catalytic, optical, magnetic, and redox properties of bare ionic clusters and nanoparticles deposited onto surfaces is presented in section 6. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 35:439–479, 2016.

Johnson, Grant E.↗

Structures of Fission Yeast Inositol Pyrophosphate Kinase Asp1 in Ligand-Free, Substrate-Bound, and Product-Bound States

Expression of the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe phosphate regulon is sensitive to the intracellular level of the inositol pyrophosphate signaling molecule 1,5-IP 8 . IP 8 dynamics are determined by Asp1, a bifunctional enzyme consisting of an N-terminal kinase domain and a C-terminal pyrophosphatase domain that catalyze IP 8 synthesis and catabolism, respectively. Here, we report structures of the Asp1 kinase domain, crystallized with two protomers in the asymmetric unit, one of which was complexed with ligands (ADPNP, ADP, or ATP; Mg 2+ or Mn 2+ ; IP 6 , 5-IP 7 , or 1,5-IP 8 ) and the other which was ligand-free. The ligand-free enzyme adopts an “open” conformation that allows ingress of substrates and egress of products. ADPNP, ADP, and ATP and associated metal ions occupy a deep phospho-donor pocket in the active site. IP 6 or 5-IP 7 engagement above the nucleotide favors adoption of a “closed” conformation, in which surface protein segments undergo movement and a disordered-to-ordered transition to form an inositol polyphosphate-binding site. In a structure mimetic of the kinase Michaelis complex, the anionic 5-IP 7 phosphates are encaged by an ensemble of nine cationic amino acids: Lys43, Arg223, Lys224, Lys260, Arg274, Arg285, Lys290, Arg293, and Lys341. Alanine mutagenesis of amino acids that contact the adenosine nucleoside of the ATP donor underscored the contributions of Asp258 interaction with the ribose 3'-OH and of Glu248 with adenine-N 6 . Changing Glu248 to Gln elicited a gain of function whereby the kinase became adept at using GTP as phosphate donor. Wild-type Asp1 kinase can utilize N 6 -benzyl-ATP as phosphate donor.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Efficient separation and coprecipitation for simplified cathode recycling

Hydrometallurgical recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries is among the most promising recovery approaches. The current hydrometallurgical method for battery recycling faces challenges such as complex separation and precipitation processes, and environmental concerns from the use of caustic inorganic acid and hazardous hydrogen peroxide. Our proposed modified method, namely polyol-metallurgy, uses citric acid in ethylene glycol as dual-function green solution to overcome these obstacles. This bifunctional solution leaches valuable metal ions from cathode materials (e.g., LiCoO 2 ), and then acts as chelating agents to selectively precipitate cobalt through an esterification reaction, without the need for additional precipitation agents. The leaching efficiency of cobalt and lithium reaches 99.55% and 97.65%, respectively, and more than 96% of cobalt could be directly self-precipitated and recovered. Further, the unique characteristics of the dual-function solution also avoids impurities from Al foils and PVDF/carbon black films, enabling the simple separation process. Therefore, the process can be completed in one-pot system with efficient leaching, separation and coprecipitation, making it more efficient and feasible for operation than existing alternatives.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Rational Design and Synthesis of Hierarchical Porous Mn–N–C Nanoparticles with Atomically Dispersed MnNx Moieties for Highly Efficient Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Developing transition-metal excluding iron and cobalt–nitrogen–carbon (M–N–C) electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is critical to substantially promote the development of precious-metal-free metal–air batteries and fuel cells. In the work, Mn–N–C nanoparticles with atomically dispersed MnNx moieties were synthesized by pyrolyzing Mn-ion–dual-pyridine coordinated complex, which was obtained via a simple condensation reaction between 2,6-diamino-pyridine and 2,6-diacetyl-pyridine with MnCl 2 as the Mn source. The precursor features with a characteristic structure of dual-pyridine ligand, which possesses a strong coordinating capability for Mn 2+ , facilitating the formation of highly dispersed nitrogen-coordinated Mn sites (MnN x ). Attributed to the highly active atomic MnN x sites, hierarchical pore structure, and high surface area of the Mn–N–C derived from the new precursor, it exhibits outstanding ORR performance in 0.1 M KOH with an almost direct four-electron reaction path and high selectivity of O 2 into H 2 O (low H2O2 production <3.5%). The half-wave potential of Mn–N–C is 0.88 V vs RHE, which is 20 mV higher than that of commercial Pt/C catalyst and reaches to the level of Fe–N–C catalyst obtained by the same method. Meanwhile, the feasibility of Mn–N–C for practical application is validated by its higher-performance power output in Zn–air battery with a maximum power density of 132 mW cm –2 compared to that of Pt/C (121 mW cm –2 ) using the same catalyst loading of 1.0 mg cm –2 . This work develops a convenient route to develop non-Fe or Co–N–C electrocatalyst for the ORR.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Nucleophilic Displacement Reactions of Silver-Based Metal–Organic Chalcogenolates

Here, we report nucleophilic displacement reactions that can increase the dimensionality or coordination number of silver-based metal–organic chalcogenolates (MOChas). MOChas are crystalline ensembles containing one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) inorganic topologies with structures and properties defined by the choice of metal, chalcogen, and ligand. MOChas can be readily prepared from a variety of small-molecule ligands and metals or metal ions. Although MOChas offer ligand diversity, most reported examples use relatively small ligands, typically involving short alkyl chains, aryl rings, or molecular cages. This is because larger, more complex molecules often yield poor product morphologies with indeterminate structures. In this study, we overcame this limitation by employing a ligand exchange strategy whereby a 1D MOCha, silver(I) methyl 2-mercaptobenzoate (2MMB), is used as a silver source for preparing 2D examples. The reaction proceeds generally toward products composed of the stronger nucleophile. We show that the reaction prefers displacing 1D topologies to yield 2D ones and replacing thiolates with selenolates. We performed a study to characterize the mechanism by which organic chalcogenols and dichalcogenides exchange with MOChas. The collected data and product analysis support a proposed mechanism of nucleophilic substitution, explaining how both organic chalcogenols and dichalcogenides can displace ligands in MOChas. This work provides a new synthetic route that will enable the preparation of more elaborate MOChas and heterostructures thereof. This approach enabled the preparation of previously inaccessible oligophenyl MOChas, which were successfully solved via small-molecule serial femtosecond crystallography (smSFX) at the SPring-8 Ångström Compact Free Electron LAser (SACLA) facility.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Influences of Alkali Metal Cation Interactions on N2 Coordination to Iron(I) Beta-Diketiminate Complexes in Electrolyte Solutions

N2 functionalization reactions often use stable, isolable N2-bound complexes and low temperatures or highly activated reagents. However, little work has focused on systems where N2 binds weakly, and the N2 binding equilibrium can be modulated. Here, we describe analysis of surprising trends in alkali metal cation solvation on the formation of an anionic iron(I) beta-diketiminate complex and the subsequent N2 binding equilibrium. Variable temperature UV-vis spectroscopy shows that increased ionic strength in the coordinating solvent tetrahydrofuran promotes N2 coordination. Additionally, less solvated alkali metal cations in noncoordinating 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) stabilize N2 coordination, likely through the formation of contact ion pairs in solution that have enhanced N2 binding. Ionic strength has little effect on the energetics of N2 coordination to these proposed contact ion pairs in MeTHF. When the electrochemical analysis is done at –78 °C, there is an irreversible reduction of iron(II) and an anodically shifted oxidation, which is attributed to the formation of the spectroscopically observed N2 complex. Finally, bulk electrolysis is used to verify the electrochemical formation of the N2-bound anionic iron(I) complex. These studies demonstrate a new strategy for promoting N2 coordination by changing solution properties, which is relevant to homogeneous electrochemical N2 reduction methods.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Chemiresistor sensor based on ion-imprinted polymer (IIP)-functionalized rGO for Cd(II) ions in water

This study reports the design and development of a novel chemiresistor (CR) sensor using ion imprinted polymer (IIP)-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) [IIP/rGO-CR] for cadmium ions (Cd(II)) determination in water. The sensor consisted of a CR transducer made of rGO channel bridging source and drain electrodes prepared by self-assembly and thermal reduction of graphene oxide (GO) on Au interdigitated electrodes chip fabricated on Si/SiO 2 substrate. The IIP was then grafted on rGO using surface-initiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with polyethylenimine (PEI) and methylacrylic acid (MAA) as dual functional monomers and Cd(II) ions as template through UV light-initiated copolymerization. The IIP functionalized on rGO acted as an effective recognition element that modulated the resistance of rGO-CR upon binding of Cd(II), enabling Cd(II) detection at ppb level in aqueous solutions. The prepared IIP/rGO-CR sensor worked effectively in the linear range of 2~200ppb and achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.83 ppb, which is lower than the World Health Organization guidelines of 3ppb for drinking water quality. The developed sensor of IIP/rGO-CR showed a high selectivity against a variety of trace and heavy metal ions found in water and good stability for up to 60 days when stored at room temperature for Cd(II) determination in water. Further, the sensor was successfully applied to analyzing Cd(II) spiked in tap, lake and river waters with a 94.5%–113.5% recovery, demonstrating a high degree of accuracy even in complex water samples. Finally, our results illustrated that the CR sensor of IIP functionalized rGO provides a potential platform for sensitive, robust and low-cost environmental analysis of Cd(II) in water.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Alkali-Metal Interlocking of 2D V 4 O 10 Sheets Defines Discretized Interlayer Shear Relationships

Low-dimensional materials manifest structural anisotropy, quantum confinement, and tightly bound excitonic states, which make them attractive building blocks that can be assembled within three-dimensional laterally stitched heterostructures, stacked van der Waals solids, and complex moiré superlattices. Ion intercalation in the galleries between layered materials provides a means of modifying interlayer separation and coupling, but it is also known to drive the shearing of the layers. In this article, we explore the distinct ligand coordination environments afforded by vanadyl oxygens of singular [V 4 O 10 ] sheets and examine how the size, polarizability, and stoichiometry of Group I cations sandwiched between such layers determine the interlocking of the sheets in stacked structures. Based on the topochemical insertion of alkali-metal ions into the layered λ-V 2 O 5 , we identify seven types of guest ion coordination sites discretized into four distinct regimes of interlayer shear in units of half octahedral widths. The coordination preferences of intercalated cations govern how they interlock 2D [V 4 O 10 ] sheets and engender specific shear conformations. We present evidence that static and dynamic disorder in guest ion arrangement modulate the magnetic structure of the intercalated compounds based on electrostatic polarization, localization of charge and spin density, and lattice distortion. The results illustrate the use of topochemical ion insertion to modulate stacking relationships and magnetic transition characteristics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Microfabricated Devices and Ion Trapping Capabilities

Next generation ion traps will likely need to support tens if not hundreds of ions in order to achieve several logical qubits. As we scale to those sizes, the same problems we face now – rf dissipation, control I/O, and optical access – will only grow and become more complicated. While many of these challenges can potentially be solved with technology integration, independently researching the feasibility of that integration and other solutions may help reduce the time and risk in scaling up to larger traps, by testing on smaller less complex devices. We should also consider other fabrication techniques that may help scale to larger devices, such as: through-substrate-vias (TSVs), different metal coatings, exotic rf routing, on chip laser sources, or even a secondary macroscopic trap to reload ions from. To have these technologies ready for full scale integration when we need them, ion traps with some of these capabilities need to be produced now. Developing the rigorous fabrication methods for producing reliable traps takes time and experimentation. We propose developing larger ion traps and reliable integrated technology in conjunction to make both available faster.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗