Tags: Materials Chemistry and Nanoscience Seminar


Characterization and Thermal Decomposition of Sub-allotrope Violet Phosphorus-21

Phosphorus, one of many elements that fall under the umbrella of inorganic chemistry, is currently experiencing a renaissance due to advancements in synthetic methodology. Currently, there are 4 primary allotropes of phosphorus. While red, white, and black phosphorus have been well-studied, it is only recently that a reliable synthesis of crystalline violet phosphorus has been established. Violet phosphorus, originally known as Hittorf’s…


Aerogels – Light Solids with Heavy Impacts

First discovered nearly 100 years ago when Samuel Kistler successfully dried silica gel without collapsing its structure, aerogels are a class of materials which contain some of the lightest solids ever synthesized. Today, many types of aerogels exist and can differ by the starting material or drying process, but overall, each are composed of the same interconnected nanostructured framework. Additionally, they are recognized for having…


Application of MOFs as Photocatalysts for Removing Textile Dyes from Water

The textile industry is renowned for its vibrant array of dyes, yet the discharge of these dyes into water bodies poses significant environmental challenges. In recent years, the utilization of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) has emerged as a promising avenue for the efficient removal of textile dyes through photocatalytic degradation processes. Firstly, the structural characteristics of MOFs render them highly versatile for photocatalytic…


From Point Source CO2 Capture to Grid-Scale H2 Storage – The Promise and Science of the Ultramicroporous Adsorbent Aluminum Formate (ALF)

Gas storage and separations are vitally important to many areas of society. Though perhaps easy to appreciate the utility of storing gasses, separating one from another is just as significant. In fact, such processes are conservatively responsible for up to hundreds of billions of dollars of global commerce each year. Significant separations include isolating O2 and noble gasses from air, as well as isolating short chain hydrocarbons from one…


The Evolution of Synthetic Techniques for Nitride Materials

Nitride compounds have important technological applications, from ceramics and refractory materials to semiconducting perovskites for solar cells. Despite their wide use, the synthesis of nitride materials is usually more challenging than that of most other materials. Although nitrogen gas is an abundant nitrogen source, its inertness is the main obstacle in the synthesis of nitrides. Breaking the N2 molecule apart and reacting it with…


Understanding Materials and Interfaces in Solid-State Batteries

Solid-state batteries offer the promise of improved energy density and safety compared to lithium-ion batteries, but degradation of materials and interfaces can play an outsized role in limiting their performance. Here, I will present our emerging understanding of the key differences between how high-capacity anode materials behave in solid-state batteries compared to in conventional liquid-electrolyte batteries. The electro-chemo-mechanical…


Exploring Chitosan-Based Films: A Sustainable Alternative to Synthetic Plastic Packaging

In the quest for sustainable solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of synthetic plastic packaging, Chitosan-based films have emerged as a promising alternative. This review highlights the multifaceted attributes of Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin, emphasizing its antimicrobial properties, modifiability, and biodegradability, which collectively contribute to its efficacy in packaging applications. Chitosan's inherent…


Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs): Synthesis and Application

Porous polymers represent a class of materials wherein the arrangement of their constituent building blocks gives rise to intricate 2- or 3-dimensional porous structures. Among these, Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs) stand out as a distinct category characterized by their randomly contorted shapes, preventing efficient macromolecular packing in the solid state, therefore resulting in the formation of pores. The porosity of PIMs,…


An Interplay Between Pressure, Composition, and Magnetism

The significance of magnetic materials has grown exponentially with the technological advances achieved over the past few decades. These materials have become integral to daily life, with applications that span from decorative purposes to data storage. However, despite their abundance, magnetism remains a largely underexplored area. This lack of understanding can be attributed largely to the complexity of magnetic systems and the intricacy…


7-Dehydrocholesterol Encapsulated Lipid Nanoparticles as a Radiation-activated Radiosensitizer

The pursuit of therapeutics that can be selectively activated by radiation to enhance radiotherapy's efficacy is a pressing need. In this study, we utilized 7-Dehydrocholesterol (7DHC), a biosynthetic precursor of cholesterol, as a lipid targeted radiation-induced radiosensitizer (RIRS) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 7DHC, reacting with radiation-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS), initiates a radical chain reaction with…
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