Matthew Cude, Development Editor – Page 3

Author Archive

Call for Papers: Covalent organic frameworks and related porous molecular materials

12 Jun 2012

Submissions are now open for our themed issue focusing on covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and closely-related materials such as porous molecular crystals, with Guest Editor Andy Cooper. Manuscripts concerning all aspects of these materials including synthesis, structure determination, theory, properties and applications are welcome.

To fit with the scope of the journal, the emphasis is on crystalline materials, although studies concerning the synthetic engineering of 3-D structure in amorphous networks, such as covalent organic polymers, might be appropriate for consideration providing that a clear link between molecular structure and extended structure is established.

The deadline for submissions is 22^nd August 2012. Communications, full papers and Highlight are welcome and can be submitted online with a note specifying the manuscript it is intended for the themed issue.

Please note that all submissions are subject to the usual peer-review process and inclusion within the themed issue is subject to the manuscript fitting both the scope of the journal and the themed issue, if you have any questions about the issue or the journal please don’t hesitate contact the Editorial Office.

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Glass ceramics and controlled crystallisation

08 Jun 2012

Glass ceramics are remarkable materials and as their name suggests, they exhibit properties of both glasses and ceramics. An interesting and well known example of a glass ceramic is the lithium, silicon and aluminium-oxide material which provides the almost unbreakable tops to our electric hobs as well as protection for deep space mirrors.

An SEM micrograph of the polished cross-section of a sample annealed for 20h

This isn’t the only glass ceramic system nor is the low (or even zero) coefficient of thermal expansion the only interesting property these materials have. Glass ceramics containing crystals of the fresnoite type possess interesting piezoelectric, pyroelectric and surface acoustic properties. This Hot Article from Wolfgang Wisniewski, Marek Patschger and Christian Russel reports the Sr-fresnoite surface crystallisation in a 2SrO·TiO₂·2.75 SiO₂ glass and is a great example of modern functionality driven research.

lFind out more about the teams discoveries by downloading their article below for free

Sr-fresnoite surface crystallisation in a 2SrO•TiO₂•2.75 SiO₂ glass studied by EBSD
Wolfgang Wisniewski, Marek Patschger and Christian Rüssel
CrystEngComm, 2012, Advance Article

Other articles which may also be of interest include:

Composition and texture of barium silicate crystals in fresnoite glass-ceramics by various scanning electron microscopic techniques
Marcus Nagel, Wolfgang Wisniewski, Günter Völksch, Christian Borschel, Carsten Ronning and Christian Rüssel
CrystEngComm, 2011, 13, 3383-3389

Crystallisation of iron containing glass–ceramics and the transformation of hematite to magnetite
Wolfgang Wisniewski, Ruzha Harizanova, Günter Völksch and Christian Rüssel
CrystEngComm, 2011, 13, 4025-4031

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This months CrystEngSelects

10 May 2012

Here is this month’s selection of advanced articles and accepted manuscripts of interest to crystal engineers from across the RSC journals

Articles are chosen from:
ChemComm,
Chemical Science,
CrystEngComm,
Dalton Transactions,
Journal of Materials Chemistry,
Nanoscale,
New Journal of Chemistry,
RSC Advances.

Click here to expand the article list

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May Crystal Clear: Micro-Flowers

09 May 2012

Crystal engineering crystengcomm clear nano flower morphology superstructure

High-magnification FESEM image of 3D flower-like ZnO superstructure

This month’s crystal clear features some truly stunning hierarchical structures.

These flower-like 3D formations have been made by Kezheng Chen et al. at the Lab of Functional and Biomedical Nanomaterials. The generation of these impressive superstructures is intriguing; the team were able to alter the reaction time to change the morphology of the produced crystals.

The team propose that the crystalline ZnO aggregates, there is then orientated attachment of nanoclusters followed by heterogeneous nucleation and growth of secondary nanosheets. The result is striking.

The average diameter of the superstructures is around 3µm, comprised of an intersecting network of nanosheets of the order of 15nm. The large porous surface of these zinc oxide flowers lend themselves to applications in catalysis, solar cells and sensors.

This article was published in Issue 9 of CrystEngComm and can be downloaded for free. If you’re interested in crystal engineering you can also take a look at the previous winners of Crystal Clear.

Facile synthesis of flower-like 3D ZnO superstructures via solution route
Yongjiang Sun, Li Wang, Xuegang Yu and Kezheng Chen

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Nanoswords, nanobelts and nanocombs, an expanding wardrobe for the nanopeople!

26 Apr 2012

Lately it seems that nanoputian research hasn’t been particularly hot in the world of organic chemistry, however in crystal engineering the controlled morphological design of nanocrystals has arguably never been hotter. In the fields of biomedicine, optics and electronics the potential application of a variety of nanomaterials has sparked interest around the world, with nanotechnology potentially revolutionising science, technology, engineering and medicine.

A sample of FESEM images of the interesting nanocrystal morphologies created by the research team – check out the paper for more details!

The fundamental properties of any nanomaterial are ultimately determined by particle size and shape, so for every potential application it is crucial that morphology is carefully controlled so the materials possess the desired properties. This Hot Article from Wei Zhong et al. details the team’s investigations into a one-step evaporation process to produce a huge range of nanocrystal morphologies, including nanowires, nanoswords, nanobelts, nanocombs and branched nanorods. To find out how the team achieved this, download their article now, which is free to access for 4 weeks!

Design, growth, and characterization of morphology-tunable Cd_xZn_1−xS nanostructures generated by a one-step thermal evaporation process
Zai-Xing Yang, Peng Zhang, Wei Zhong, Yu Deng, Chak-Tong Au and You-Wei Du

Interested in nanocrystals? You can also download these great articles which are also free to access!

Highly active Zn_xCd_1−xS photocatalysts containing earth abundant elements only for H2 production from water under visible light
Yabo Wang , Jianchun Wu , Jianwei Zheng and Rong Xu
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2011,1, 940-947
DOI: 10.1039/C1CY00143D

Nanostructured Titania: the current and future promise of Titania nanotubes
Kevin C. Schwartzenberg and Kimberly A. Gray
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2012, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C2CY00538G

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Crystallisation A Biological Perspective: Faraday Discussion 159

26 Apr 2012

The last ten years have seen a revolution in our understanding of the mechanisms of biological crystal growth. Recent studies on crystal nucleation have found evidence of pre-nucleation clusters, a controversial result which apparently contradicts classical nucleation theory.

If you are working in the areas of biomineralisation, biomimetic crystallisation, nucleation or crystal growth then you are very likely to have some significant original research to share. Join a meeting where you can not only discuss your findings but also get them published.

Crystallisation – A Biological Perspective: Faraday Discussion 159 is the place to be this July.

Why choose to come to a Faraday Discussion? They have a unique format – all papers are circulated in advance and all discussion contributions are recorded for publication in the abstract book after the event. You can also have your own poster space at the meeting, so submit yours now before the deadline of 25 May.

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April Crystal Clear: The Missing Crystal Fish

04 Apr 2012

MOF Eu Eu-MOF fish & chips Crystal Clear CrystEngComm

Eu-MOF crystals which look suprisingly like chips or French fries

Fish and chips is a classic dish, however this month’s Crystal Clear is noticeably lacking in the crystal fish department.

These chips (or French fries) are in fact crystals of a metal organic framework (MOF) constructed with Eu³⁺ and 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic acid. The synthesis is performed in a mixture of water and DMF and the crystal size and shape can be manipulated by altering the ratio of the two liquids.

The team from Qingdao and Changchun in China were looking at the influence additives and reaction conditions have on the MOF crystal morphology, these materials have interesting luminescence properties and potential application in colour displays and sensors. To read the full details of the teams discoveries take a look at Issue 8 of CrystEngComm, where you can also see how they were able to make ‘urchin-like balls’ as well as the pictured chips! l

Solvothermal synthesis of luminescent Eu(BTC)(H2O)DMF hierarchical architectures
Biao Xu, Hailing Guo, Song Wang, Yuyang Li, Hongjie Zhang and Chenguang Liu

To keep up to date with the latest news sign up to our e-alerts, like us on facebook and follow us on twitter, and please do let us know if you know how to make crystal fish…

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The future is bright, the future is hollow

30 Mar 2012

Efficient conversion of solar energy to electricity is a dream we all share, in the natural world sunlight is the basis for nearly all life (excluding those deep see hydrothermal vents and chemo-autotrophic bacteria based communities!). If we could mimic this in our modern world, powering transport, industry and domestic environments with an environmentally friendly, abundant and free power source, we would surely be better off………….. but what’s the best way to do it?

Solar, DSSC, efficiency, crystal, crystengcomm, nanocrystal, nanoparticle, energy

SnO2 hollow nanospheres in DSSC's can give light-to-electricity conversion efficiencies of up to 6.02%

Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC’s) have been an attractive prospect for some time now, they are relatively cheap and their light harvesting efficiency is dependent on dye absorption and charge separation. By designing hollow SnO₂ nanospheres enclosed with single crystalline nanoparticles, Jinghong Li and Lin Guo et al. have achieved a light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of 6.02%, which is among the highest in non-TiO₂ semiconductor oxides.

The nanostructure design means there is a very high surface area, allowing absorption of a great number of dye molecules, while the single crystalline structure has efficient charge separation properties. This design is proving to be a great candidate for future DSSC technologies…

SnO₂ hollow nanospheres enclosed by single crystalline nanoparticles for highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells
Hua Wang, Bo Li, Jian Gao, Ming Tang, Hongbin Feng, Jinghong Li and Lin Guo

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Call for Papers: Nanocrystals Themed Issue

29 Mar 2012

We are pleased to announce an upcoming CrystEngComm themed issue focusing on Nanocrystals, with guest editors Len MacGillivray (University of Iowa), Christoph Janiak (Universität Düsseldorf), and Shu-Hong Yu (University of Science and Technology). This special issue will recognize the recent developments and achievements in the design, synthesis, and application of organic and inorganic nanocrystals.

The themed issue will comprise Highlights, Communications, and Full Papers. The issue will contain articles with a focus on approaches to synthesize nanocrystals, crystal engineering nanocrystals, the isolation of nanocrystals of increasing important morphologies and properties, and applications of nanocrystals in areas such as energy and medicine. A major aim of the issue will be to assemble a collection of manuscripts that place nanocrystals of both organic and inorganic origin into a single setting.

How to submit?
The manuscript should be prepared according to the format for regular articles and should be submitted via our online system – All manuscripts will be subjected to the normal refereeing procedure and acceptance to the themed issue will be at the discretion of the Guest Editors, please ensure upon submission that you indicate you would like to be considered for this special themed issue.

Deadline for Submissions: 23rd May

If you have any questions about this themed issue please contact our editorial office for more details.

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Call for Papers: New Talent Americas Themed Issue

23 Mar 2012

We are pleased to announce an upcoming CrystEngComm themed issue New Talent Americas, guest edited by Christer Aakeroy. It is our pleasure to invite you to contribute to this themed issue.

This special issue will showcase the excellent work being carried out by younger members of the academic community in the Americas and will include contributions from crystal engineering in its broadest sense, including crystal growth, and showcase the strength of research being carried out in the Americas by tomorrow’s leaders in the field.

We would like to receive articles by 1st May 2012, and aim to publish the themed issue at the end of 2012. All types of article, Communications, Full Papers, and Highlights will be considered for publication. More details about the journal, themed issues and author guidelines can be found on our website.

How to submit?
The manuscript should be prepared according to the format for regular articles and should be submitted via our online system – we just ask that you indicate upon submission you intend the manuscript to be included in this special themed issue. All invited manuscripts will be subjected to the normal refereeing procedure.

Deadline for Submissions: 1st May

If you have any questions about this themed issue please contact our editorial office for more details.

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