@article{HaubitzDrobotTsushimaetal.2021,
  author    = {Haubitz, Toni and Drobot, Bj{\"o}rn and Tsushima, Satoru and Steudtner, Robin and Stumpf, Thorsten and Kumke, Michael Uwe},
  title     = {Quenching mechanism of uranyl(VI) by chloride and bromide in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions},
  series = {The journal of physical chemistry : A, Molecules, spectroscopy, kinetics, environment \& general theory},
  volume    = {125},
  journal   = {The journal of physical chemistry : A, Molecules, spectroscopy, kinetics, environment \& general theory},
  number    = {20},
  publisher = {American Chemical Society},
  address   = {Washington},
  issn      = {1089-5639},
  doi       = {10.1021/acs.jpca.1c02487},
  pages     = {4380 -- 4389},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {A major hindrance in utilizing uranyl(VI) luminescence as a standard analytical tool, for example, in environmental monitoring or nuclear industries, is quenching by other ions such as halide ions, which are present in many relevant matrices of uranyl(VI) speciation. Here, we demonstrate through a combination of time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, transient absorption spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry that coordinating solvent molecules play a crucial role in U(VI) halide luminescence quenching. We show that our previously suggested quenching mechanism based on an internal redox reaction of the 1:2-uranyl-halide-complex holds also true for bromide-induced quenching of uranyl(VI). By adopting specific organic solvents, we were able to suppress the separation of the oxidized halide ligand X-2(center dot-) and the formed uranyl(V) into fully solvated ions, thereby "reigniting" U(VI) luminescence. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations show that quenching occurs through the outer-sphere complex of U(VI) and halide in water, while the ligand-to-metal charge transfer is strongly reduced in acetonitrile.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{PhamQuanMeietal.2022,
  author    = {Pham, Duong Tung and Quan, Ting and Mei, Shilin and Lu, Yan},
  title     = {Colloidal metal sulfide nanoparticles for high performance electrochemical energy storage systems},
  series = {Current opinion in green and sustainable chemistry},
  volume    = {34},
  journal   = {Current opinion in green and sustainable chemistry},
  publisher = {Elsevier},
  address   = {Amsterdam},
  issn      = {2452-2236},
  doi       = {10.1016/j.cogsc.2022.100596},
  pages     = {11},
  year      = {2022},
  abstract  = {Transition metal sulfides have emerged as excellent replacement candidates of traditional insertion electrode materials based on their conversion or alloying mechanisms, facilitating high specific capacity and rate ability. However, parasitic reactions such as massive volume change during the discharge/ charge processes, intermediate polysulfide dissolution, and passivating solid electrolyte interface formation have led to poor cyclability, hindering their feasibility and applicability in energy storage systems. Colloidal metal sulfide nanoparticles, a special class that integrates the intrinsic chemical properties of metal sulfides and their specified structural features, have fairly enlarged their contribution due to the synergistic effect. This review highlights the latest synthetic approaches based on colloidal process. Their corresponding electrochemical outcomes will also be discussed, which are thoroughly updated along with their insight scientific standpoints.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{ReitenbachGeigerWangetal.2023,
  author    = {Reitenbach, Julija and Geiger, Christina and Wang, Peixi and Vagias, Apostolos N. and Cubitt, Robert and Schanzenbach, Dirk and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and Papadakis, Christine M. and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter},
  title     = {Effect of magnesium salts with chaotropic anions on the swelling behavior of PNIPMAM thin films},
  series = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society},
  volume    = {56},
  journal   = {Macromolecules : a publication of the American Chemical Society},
  number    = {2},
  publisher = {American Chemical Society},
  address   = {Washington},
  issn      = {0024-9297},
  doi       = {10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02282},
  pages     = {567 -- 577},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {Poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) is a stimuli responsive polymer, which in thin film geometry exhibits a volume-phase transition upon temperature increase in water vapor. The swelling behavior of PNIPMAM thin films containing magnesium salts in water vapor is investigated in view of their potential application as nanodevices. Both the extent and the kinetics of the swelling ratio as well as the water content are probed with in situ time-of-flight neutron reflectometry. Additionally, in situ Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy provides information about the local solvation of the specific functional groups, while two-dimensional FTIR correlation analysis further elucidates the temporal sequence of solvation events. The addition of Mg(ClO4)2 or Mg(NO3)2 enhances the sensitivity of the polymer and therefore the responsiveness of switches and sensors based on PNIPMAM thin films. It is found that Mg(NO3)2 leads to a higher relative water uptake and therefore achieves the highest thickness gain in the swollen state.},
  language  = {en}
}
@inproceedings{BreternitzSchorr2021,
  author    = {Breternitz, Joachim and Schorr, Susan},
  title     = {Halide perovskites},
  series = {Acta crystallographica / International Union of Crystallography. Section A, Foundations and advances},
  volume    = {77},
  booktitle = {Acta crystallographica / International Union of Crystallography. Section A, Foundations and advances},
  number    = {Suppl.},
  publisher = {Blackwell},
  address   = {Oxford [u.a.]},
  issn      = {2053-2733},
  pages     = {C750 -- C750},
  year      = {2021},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{NchiozemNgnitedemSperlichMatietaetal.2023,
  author    = {Nchiozem-Ngnitedem, Vaderament-Alexe and Sperlich, Eric and Matieta, Valaire Yemene and Kuete, Jenifer Reine Ngnouzouba and Kuete, Victor and Omer, Ejlal A. A. and Efferth, Thomas and Schmidt, Bernd},
  title     = {Synthesis and bioactivity of isoflavones from ficus carica and some non-natural analogues},
  series = {Journal of natural products : Lloydia},
  volume    = {86},
  journal   = {Journal of natural products : Lloydia},
  number    = {6},
  publisher = {American Chemical Society},
  address   = {Washington, DC},
  issn      = {0163-3864},
  doi       = {10.1021/acs.jnatprod.3c00219},
  pages     = {1520 -- 1528},
  year      = {2023},
  abstract  = {FicucariconeD (1) and its 4 '-demethyl congener 2 are isoflavones isolated from fruits of Ficus carica that share a 5,7-dimethoxy-6-prenyl-substituted A-ring. Both naturalproducts were, for the first time, obtained by chemical synthesisin six steps, starting from 2,4,6-trihydroxyacetophenone. Key stepsare a microwave-promoted tandem sequence of Claisen- and Cope-rearrangementsto install the 6-prenyl substituent and a Suzuki-Miyaura crosscoupling for installing the B-ring. By using various boronic acids,non-natural analogues become conveniently available. All compoundswere tested for cytotoxicity against drug-sensitive and drug-resistanthuman leukemia cell lines, but were found to be inactive. The compoundswere also tested for antimicrobial activities against a panel of eightGram-negative and two Gram-positive bacterial strains. Addition ofthe efflux pump inhibitor phenylalanine-arginine-beta-naphthylamide(PA beta N) significantly improved the antibiotic activity in mostcases, with MIC values as low as 2.5 mu M and activity improvementfactors as high as 128-fold.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{GeigerReitenbachHenscheletal.2021,
  author    = {Geiger, Christina and Reitenbach, Julija and Henschel, Cristiane and Kreuzer, Lucas and Widmann, Tobias and Wang, Peixi and Mangiapia, Gaetano and Moulin, Jean-Fran{\c{c}}ois and Papadakis, Christine M. and Laschewsky, Andr{\´e} and M{\"u}ller-Buschbaum, Peter},
  title     = {Ternary nanoswitches realized with multiresponsive PMMA-b-PNIPMAM films in mixed water/acetone vapor atmospheres},
  series = {Advanced engineering materials},
  volume    = {23},
  journal   = {Advanced engineering materials},
  number    = {11},
  publisher = {Wiley-VCH},
  address   = {Weinheim},
  issn      = {1438-1656},
  doi       = {10.1002/adem.202100191},
  pages     = {12},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {To systematically add functionality to nanoscale polymer switches, an understanding of their responsive behavior is crucial. Herein, solvent vapor stimuli are applied to thin films of a diblock copolymer consisting of a short poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) block and a long poly(N-isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAM) block for realizing ternary nanoswitches. Three significantly distinct film states are successfully implemented by the combination of amphiphilicity and co-nonsolvency effect. The exposure of the thin films to nitrogen, pure water vapor, and mixed water/acetone (90 vol\%/10 vol\%) vapor switches the films from a dried to a hydrated (solvated and swollen) and a water/acetone-exchanged (solvated and contracted) equilibrium state. These three states have distinctly different film thicknesses and solvent contents, which act as switch positions "off," "on," and "standby." For understanding the switching process, time-of-flight neutron reflectometry (ToF-NR) and spectral reflectance (SR) studies of the swelling and dehydration process are complemented by information on the local solvation of functional groups probed with Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. An accelerated responsive behavior beyond a minimum hydration/solvation level is attributed to the fast build-up and depletion of the hydration shell of PNIPMAM, caused by its hydrophobic moieties promoting a cooperative hydration character.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{MelaniNagataSaalfrank2021,
  author    = {Melani, Giacomo and Nagata, Yuki and Saalfrank, Peter},
  title     = {Vibrational energy relaxation of interfacial OH on a water-covered alpha-Al2O3(0001) surface},
  series = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : PCCP ; a journal of European chemical societies},
  volume    = {23},
  journal   = {Physical chemistry, chemical physics : PCCP ; a journal of European chemical societies},
  number    = {13},
  publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},
  address   = {Cambridge},
  issn      = {1463-9076},
  doi       = {10.1039/d0cp03777j},
  pages     = {7714 -- 7723},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Vibrational relaxation of adsorbates is a sensitive tool to probe energy transfer at gas/solid and liquid/solid interfaces. The most direct way to study relaxation dynamics uses time-resolved spectroscopy. Here we report on a non-equilibrium ab initio molecular dynamics (NE-AIMD) methodology to model vibrational relaxation of OH vibrations on a hydroxylated, water-covered alpha-Al2O3(0001) surface. In our NE-AIMD approach, after exciting selected O-H bonds their coupling to surface phonons and to the water adlayer is analyzed in detail, by following both the energy flow in time, as well as the time-evolution of Vibrational Density of States (VDOS) curves. The latter are obtained from Time-dependent Correlation Functions (TCFs) and serve as prototypical, generic representatives of time-resolved vibrational spectra. As most important results, (i) we find a few-picosecond lifetime of the excited modes and (ii) identify both hydrogen-bonded aluminols and water molecules in the adsorbed water layer as main dissipative channels, while the direct coupling to Al2O3 surface phonons is of minor importance on the timescales of interest. Our NE-AIMD/TCF methodology is powerful for complex adsorbate systems, in principle even reacting ones, and opens a way towards time-resolved vibrational spectroscopy.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WangFritschBerendtsetal.2021,
  author    = {Wang, Zhenyu and Fritsch, Daniel and Berendts, Stefan and Lerch, Martin and Breternitz, Joachim and Schorr, Susan},
  title     = {Elucidation of the reaction mechanism for the synthesis of ZnGeN2 through Zn2GeO4 ammonolysis},
  series = {Chemical science / RSC, Royal Society of Chemistry},
  volume    = {12},
  journal   = {Chemical science / RSC, Royal Society of Chemistry},
  number    = {24},
  publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},
  address   = {Cambridge},
  issn      = {2041-6539},
  doi       = {10.1039/d1sc00328c},
  pages     = {8493 -- 8500},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Ternary II-IV-N-2 materials have been considered as a promising class of materials that combine photovoltaic performance with earth-abundance and low toxicity. When switching from binary III-V materials to ternary II-IV-N-2 materials, further structural complexity is added to the system that may influence its optoelectronic properties. Herein, we present a systematic study of the reaction of Zn2GeO4 with NH3 that produces zinc germanium oxide nitrides, and ultimately approach stoichiometric ZnGeN2, using a combination of chemical analyses, X-ray powder diffraction and DFT calculations. Elucidating the reaction mechanism as being dominated by Zn and O extrusion at the later reaction stages, we give an insight into studying structure-property relationships in this emerging class of materials.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{SaeediGarakaniXieKhorsandKheirabadetal.2021,
  author    = {Saeedi Garakani, Sadaf and Xie, Dongjiu and Khorsand Kheirabad, Atefeh and Lu, Yan and Yuan, Jiayin},
  title     = {Template-synthesis of a poly(ionic liquid)-derived Fe1-xS/nitrogen-doped porous carbon membrane and its electrode application in lithium-sulfur batteries},
  series = {Materials advances},
  volume    = {2},
  journal   = {Materials advances},
  number    = {15},
  publisher = {Royal Society of Chemistry},
  address   = {Cambridge},
  issn      = {2633-5409},
  doi       = {10.1039/d1ma00441g},
  pages     = {5203 -- 5212},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {This study deals with the facile synthesis of Fe1-xS nanoparticle-containing nitrogen-doped porous carbon membranes (denoted as Fe1-xS/N-PCMs) via vacuum carbonization of hybrid porous poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) membranes, and their successful use as a sulfur host material to mitigate the shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The hybrid porous PIL membranes as the sacrificial template were prepared via ionic crosslinking of a cationic PIL with base-neutralized 1,1 '-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid, so that the iron source was molecularly incorporated into the template. The carbonization process was investigated in detail at different temperatures, and the chemical and porous structures of the carbon products were comprehensively analyzed. The Fe1-xS/N-PCMs prepared at 900 degrees C have a multimodal pore size distribution with a satisfactorily high surface area and well-dispersed iron sulfide nanoparticles to physically and chemically confine the LiPSs. The sulfur/Fe1-xS/N-PCM composites were then tested as electrodes in Li-S batteries, showing much improved capacity, rate performance and cycle stability, in comparison to iron sulfide-free, nitrogen-doped porous carbon membranes.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{XuNieWangetal.2021,
  author    = {Xu, Xun and Nie, Yan and Wang, Weiwei and Ma, Nan and Lendlein, Andreas},
  title     = {Periodic thermomechanical modulation of toll-like receptor expression and distribution in mesenchymal stromal cells},
  series = {MRS communications / a publication of the Materials Research Society},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {MRS communications / a publication of the Materials Research Society},
  number    = {4},
  publisher = {Springer},
  address   = {Berlin},
  issn      = {2159-6859},
  doi       = {10.1557/s43579-021-00049-5},
  pages     = {425 -- 431},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Toll-like receptor (TLR) can trigger an immune response against virus including SARS-CoV-2. TLR expression/distribution is varying in mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) depending on their culture environments. Here, to explore the effect of periodic thermomechanical cues on TLRs, thermally controlled shape-memory polymer sheets with programmable actuation capacity were created. The proportion of MSCs expressing SARS-CoV-2-associated TLRs was increased upon stimulation. The TLR4/7 colocalization was promoted and retained in the endoplasmic reticula. The TLR redistribution was driven by myosin-mediated F-actin assembly. These results highlight the potential of boosting the immunity for combating COVID-19 via thermomechanical preconditioning of MSCs.},
  language  = {en}
}