More HOT articles for August

Put these articles on your reading list— they are recommended by our referees!

Supramolecular 1D ribbons in complexes between a bicyclic-guanidine derivative and di- or monocarboxylic acids
Vitthal N. Yadava and Carl Henrik Görbitz  
CrystEngComm, 2013,15, 7321-7326
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40960K

 

 


How to monitor guest exchange in host–guest systems
Luigi R. Nassimbeni and Hong Su  
CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40675J


Nd:MgO:LiTaO3 crystal for self-doubling laser applications: growth, structure, thermal and laser properties
Dehui Sun, Yanhua Leng, Yuanhua Sang, Xueliang Kang, Shande Liu, Xiaoyong Qin, Kun Cui, Bin Kamaruddin Wan Hairul Anuar, Hong Liu and Yong Bi  
CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40966J


Iodine-templated assembly of an In(III) complex with a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transition
Yuan-Chun He, Wei-Qiu Kan, Jiao Guo, Yan Yang, Peng Du, Ying-Ying Liu and Jian-Fang Ma  
CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41337C

 


Effect of sodium citrate on the shape and photoluminescence properties of CaWO4:Eu3+ superstructures synthesized by the hydrothermal method
Yeqing Chen, Sung Wook Park, Byung Kee Moon, Byung Chun Choi, Jung Hyun Jeong and Chongfeng Guo  
CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40872H

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

A new format for our crystal clear feature

We are tweaking our crystal clear posts, and instead of featuring just one crystal per post, we will be highlighting a selection of images organised along a theme. For this first post, I have chosen a selection of plant-like crystals:

Influence of indium doping on the morphology of ZnS nanostructures grown by a vapor–solid method

ZnS nanocrystals

Growth of silver dendritic nanostructures via electrochemical route

Silver nanostructures

Hierarchical rh-In2O3 crystals derived from InOOH counterparts and their sensitivity to ammonia gas

Hierarchical rh-In2O3 crystals

Find out more about each crystal from the original papers:

Influence of indium doping on the morphology of ZnS nanostructures grown by a vapor–solid method
Belén Sotillo, Yanicet Ortega, Paloma Fernández and Javier Piqueras
CrystEngComm, 2013,15, 7080-7088 DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40920A

Growth of silver dendritic nanostructures via electrochemical route
Mohanrao V. Mandke, Sung-Hwan Han and Habib M. Pathan
CrystEngComm, 2012,14, 86-89 DOI: 10.1039/C1CE05791J

Hierarchical rh-In2O3 crystals derived from InOOH counterparts and their sensitivity to ammonia gas
Haihui Jiang, Lichun Zhao, Ligang Gai, Li Ma, Yun Ma and Mei Li
CrystEngComm, 2013,15, 7003-7009 DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40465J

For more fascinating images, go to our  Pinterest board

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

Giant Quantum Dots

Posted on behalf of Josh Campbell, web writer for CrystEngComm

Quantum dots combine nanocrystals and semiconductors to create materials small enough to show quantum mechanical properties. The excitons (a bound state of an electron and an electron hole) are squeezed together, and if this confinement is in three dimensions, a quantum dot is formed; for two dimensions, a quantum wire,  and in one dimension, a quantum well. This squeezing together results in the bandgap of the material becoming highly size dependent, thus tunable and usually blue-shifted. Chalcogenide materials have always drawn research in semiconducting materials, with ternary and quarternary alloys offering even more control over the bandgap while also improving stability or size selectivity.

This new paper shows the synthesis of AgBiS2 monodispersed quantum dots that show an extremely high dielectric constant. They were synthesized via the hot injection method, with an average diameter of 8.5nm ± 1.2nm, and the optical band gap energy measured confirmed that strong quantum confinement was taking place. Due to the small size of the nanoparticles, grain boundary effects were expected to dominate the electronic properties. The dielectric constant of the pellets is on the order of 105 and the authors confirmed grain boundaries with large resistances and capacitances gave rise to the huge dielectric constant which has significant implications in the design of similar materials.

The synthesis of monodispersed AgBiS2 quantum dots with a giant dielectric constant

Read the paper to find out more:

The synthesis of monodispersed AgBiS2 quantum dots with a giant dielectric constant
Chao Chen, Xiaodong Qiu, Shulin Ji, Chong Jia and Changhui Ye

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41304G, Communication


Josh CampbellJosh Campbell is a PhD student currently at the University of Southampton studying crystal structure prediction of organic semiconductors. He received his BSc from the University of Bradford.

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

Size-controlled synthesis of MOF nanoparticles

Posted on behalf of Gwenda Kyd, web writer for CrystEngComm

Porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have potential applications ranging from gas storage to chemical sensing. To fully realise these, the ability to cast into a given form, such as a thin film, is important. Nanometre (nm) sized particles are an attractive target, potentially allowing properties to be fine-tuned precisely. Formation of MOF nanoparticles has previously been achieved but obtaining sizes below 100nm is difficult and can lack reproducibility.

A new paper shows how the MOFs HKUST-1 and IRMOF-3 can be produced using additive-mediated syntheses. These involve mixing a polymer (for the synthesis of HKUST-1) or polymer-surfactant combination (for IRMOF-3) with the metal and ligand sources. This produces nanoparticles of the MOF between 30nm and 300nm, depending on the reaction temperature, reaction time and the quantities of additives used. The synergy of the polymer and surfactant gives the best control over size and monodispersity, i.e. the particles produced are within a narrow size range. This method could potentially be useful in producing MOFs for drug delivery or sensing where ultra-small particles or films are required.

Additive-mediated size control of MOF nanoparticles

For more information see the full paper:

Additive-mediated size control of MOF nanoparticles
Annekathrin Ranft, Sophia B. Betzler, Frederik Haase and Bettina V. Lotsch

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41152D, Communication


Gwenda KydGwenda KydGwenda Kyd has a PhD in metallocarborane chemistry from the University of Edinburgh. Other research work includes the spectroscopic study of the structure of glasses and organometallic electron-transfer reactions and the preparation of new inorganic phosphors. Currently she works as a scientific database editor.

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

Highlights from the upcoming Coordination Polymers themed issue

We will shortly be publishing a themed issue titled “Structural Design of Coordination Polymers” in CrystEngComm. As a taster of what is coming, the following is a selection of articles from the issue that is recommended as HOT by our referees.


Self-assembly of a chiral three-dimensional manganese(II)–copper(II) coordination polymer with a double helical architecture
Thais Grancha, Clarisse Tourbillon, Jesús Ferrando-Soria, Miguel Julve, Francesc Lloret, Jorge Pasán, Catalina Ruiz-Pérez, Oscar Fabelo and Emilio Pardo

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41022F, Communication

Self-assembly of a chiral three-dimensional manganese(II)–copper(II) coordination polymer with a double helical architecture


Coordination polymers of alkali metal trithiocyanurates: structure determinations and ionic conductivity measurements using single crystals
Satoshi Tominaka, Sebastian Henke and Anthony K. Cheetham

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41150H, Paper

Coordination polymers of alkali metal trithiocyanurates: structure determinations and ionic conductivity measurements using single crystals


Solvent-free synthesis of supported ZIF-8 films and patterns through transformation of deposited zinc oxide precursors
Ivo Stassen, Nicolò Campagnol, Jan Fransaer, Philippe Vereecken, Dirk De Vos and Rob Ameloot

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41025K, Communication

Solvent-free synthesis of supported ZIF-8 films and patterns through transformation of deposited zinc oxide precursors


The influence of nitro groups on the topology and gas sorption property of extended Zn(II)-paddlewheel MOFs
Phuong V. Dau and Seth M. Cohen

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41124A, Communication

The influence of nitro groups on the topology and gas sorption property of extended Zn(II)-paddlewheel MOFs


Linker extensions in metal–organic frameworks: a way to isoreticular networks or new topologies?
Daniela Frahm, Frank Hoffmann and Michael Fröba

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40594J, Paper

Linker extensions in metal–organic frameworks: a way to isoreticular networks or new topologies?


Studying fluorous interactions in a series of coordination compounds derived from mono-pyridyl ligands equipped with hydrogen bonding functionality: exploiting anion•••πF interaction in separating ClO4 anion from a competing mixture of anions
Subhabrata Banerjee and Parthasarathi Dastidar

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40359A, Paper

Studying fluorous interactions in a series of coordination compounds derived from mono-pyridyl ligands equipped with hydrogen bonding functionality: exploiting anionπF interaction in separating ClO4− anion from a competing mixture of anions

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

Rare-earth fluoride upconversion nanoparticles and their applications in bioimaging

Posted on behalf of Josh Campbell, web writer for CrystEngComm

Rare earth metals and their compounds are some of the most important elements in modern economies and science. They can be found in superconductors, catalytic converters and lasers. Most rare earth ions also show the phenomenon of upconversion (UC). UC is the emission of light at shorter wavelengths than initially absorbed at for example the conversion of infrared to visible light. UC effects show great promise in the bioimaging field, providing narrow emission bandwidths and high-signal to noise ratio due to being able to use near infra-red sources of excitation. Rare earth halides are known to increase UC luminescence but chlorides and bromides are usually sensitive to moisture and not suitable for labelling biomolecules.

A new highlight shows the most popular way of synthesizing rare earth fluorides and their applications as luminescent labels. Thermal decomposition is the most common synthesis method and gives nanocrystals with well-defined shapes and good size selectivity. However there are drawbacks (such as the strict experimental conditions) which have led to the development of coprecipitation and microwave assisted methods among others. These nanoparticles with UC properties have also recently shown promise being used as multimodal imagers. Multimodal imaging uses more than one technique and work is being done to integrate magnetic components into UC nanocrystals to combine MRI and luminescent imaging.

Rare earth fluorides upconversion nanophosphors: from synthesis to applications in bioimaging

Find out more from the article:

Rare earth fluorides upconversion nanophosphors: from synthesis to applications in bioimaging
Song Wang, Jing Feng, Shuyan Song and Hongjie Zhang
CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40679B, Highlight


Josh CampbellJosh Campbell is a PhD student currently at the University of Southampton studying crystal structure prediction of organic semiconductors. He received his BSc from the University of Bradford.

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

In-situ generation of supported MOF films and patterns

Posted on behalf of Gwenda Kyd, web writer for CrystEngComm

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous networks with a wide range of potential applications including gas storage and sensing. For their potential to be fully realised in integrated systems, efficient methods of producing thin films and patterns are crucial. Although methods exist for MOFs, these are are less developed than for other materials such as ZnO.

A new paper shows how thin films or patterns of the MOF ZIF-8 can be produced by melting the required ligand, 2-methylimidazole , in contact with a ZnO film or pattern. If the process is carried out under vacuum with an excess of ligand, it is totally solvent- and waste-free. Using this method with ZnO supported films and patterns is demonstrated to replicate the morphologies in the resulting ZIF-8, as shown in the diagram below. ZIF-8 is highly stable and has many possible uses including molecular separation and as an insulator in microelectronics. The reported strategy could allow new applications for ZIF-8 films to be developed.

Solvent-free synthesis of supported ZIF-8 films and patterns through transformation of deposited zinc oxide precursors

For more information see the paper at:

Solvent-free synthesis of supported ZIF-8 films and patterns through transformation of deposited zinc oxide precursors
Ivo Stassen, Nicolò Campagnol, Jan Fransaer, Philippe Vereecken, Dirk De Vos and Rob Ameloot
CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41025K, Communication


Gwenda KydGwenda KydGwenda Kyd has a PhD in metallocarborane chemistry from the University of Edinburgh. Other research work includes the spectroscopic study of the structure of glasses and organometallic electron-transfer reactions and the preparation of new inorganic phosphors. Currently she works as a scientific database editor.

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

Human enamel mimic whitens teeth

Over time, gleaming teeth become stained by repeated exposure to vices such as coffee, red wine or cigarettes. Current whitening methods include replacing the crown of the tooth or etching off stained enamel using chemical abrasives like hydrogen peroxide. These require the removal of part of a healthy tooth, and can lead to gum irritation and sensitive teeth.

Fluorapatite, polyethylene oxide and a polymer derived from the neurotoxin acrylamide have been combined by Chinese scientists to make a film that can restore teeth to their natural colour.

Read the full story at Chemistry World

PEO-assisted precipitation of human enamel-like fluorapatite films for tooth whitening

PEO-assisted precipitation of human enamel-like fluorapatite films for tooth whitening
Shize Liu, Yujing Yin and Haifeng Chen

CrystEngComm, 2013,15, 5853-5859
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40388B, Paper

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

HOT articles for August

Put these articles on your reading list— they are recommended by our referees!

Investigating and understanding the initial growth mechanisms of catalyst-free growth of 1D SiC nanostructures
Yoo Youl Choi and Doo Jin Choi

CrystEngComm, 2013,15, 6963-6970
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40745D, Paper

Investigating and understanding the initial growth mechanisms of catalyst-free growth of 1D SiC nanostructures


Can self-assembly of copper(II) picolinamide building blocks be controlled?
Marijana Đaković, Diogo Vila-Viçosa, Nuno A. G. Bandeira, Maria José Calhorda, Bojan Kozlevčar, Zvonko Jagličić and Zora Popović

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41011K, Paper

Can self-assembly of copper(II) picolinamide building blocks be controlled?


A graph theory approach to structure solution of network materials from two-dimensional solid-state NMR data
Darren H. Brouwer and Kevin P. Langendoen

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41058G, Paper

A graph theory approach to structure solution of network materials from two-dimensional solid-state NMR data


The synthesis of Cu2Zn(GexSn1−x)Se4 nanocrystals with tunable band gaps
Kai Zong, SiHeng Lu, Hao Wang, YuXiu Sun, HuiJuan Zheng, JingBing Liu and Hui Yan

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40953H, Paper

Synthesis of Cu2Zn(GexSn1-x)Se4 Nanocrystals with Tunable Band Gaps


The influence of nitro groups on the topology and gas sorption property of extended Zn(II)-paddlewheel MOFs
Phuong V. Dau and Seth M. Cohen

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE41124A, Communication

The Influence of Nitro Groups on the Topology and Gas Sorption Property of Extended Zn(II)-paddlewheel MOFs


Synthesis of Ni-doped NiO/RGONS nanocomposites with enhanced rate capabilities as anode materials for Li ion batteries
Jiantao Zai, Chao Yu, Liqi Tao, Miao Xu, Yinglin Xiao, Bo Li, Qianyan Han, Kaixue Wang and Xuefeng Qian

CrystEngComm, 2013,15, 6663-6671
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40993G, Paper

Synthesis of Ni-doped NiO/RGONS nanocomposites with enhanced rate capabilities as anode materials for Li ion batteries


A new calculation strategy to analyze the vibrational free energy of a slab and calculate the vibrational contribution of the surface free energy
Marco Bruno and Mauro Prencipe

CrystEngComm, 2013,15, 6736-6744
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40885J, Paper

A new calculation strategy to analyze the vibrational free energy of a slab and calculate the vibrational contribution of the surface free energy


Dinuclear Ag(I) metallamacrocycles of bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes bridged by calixarene fragments: synthesis, structure and chemosensing behavior
Cai-Xia Lin, Xiao-Fei Kong, Qing-Shan Li, Zheng-Zhi Zhang, Yao-Feng Yuan and Feng-Bo Xu

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40918J, Paper

Dinuclear Ag(I) metallamacrocycles of bis-N-heterocyclic carbenes bridged by calixarene fragments: synthesis, structure and chemosensing behavior


Luminescence and magnetic properties of three metal–organic frameworks based on the 5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)isophthalic acid ligand
Antonio J. Calahorro, Alfonso Salinas-Castillo, José Manuel Seco, Javier Zuñiga, Enrique Colacio and Antonio Rodríguez-Diéguez

CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40869H, Communication

Luminescence and magnetic properties of three metal–organic frameworks based on the 5-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)isophthalic acid ligand

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)

Removing impurities from biofuels using metal-oxide cubes and flowers

Posted on behalf of Gwenda Kyd, web writer for CrystEngComm

Biofuels, such as plant oils, are a potential alternative energy source. However, the presence of impurities like gums and phospholipids can hamper their use in diesel engines. Phospholipids (which are made up of a fatty acid, a simple organic group and a phosphate group) can be removed in the conventional refining process, but this causes loss of oil and nutrients and uses both water and chemicals.

A new paper shows how phospholipids can be efficiently removed using Y2O3 cubes and flowers, made hydrothermally, as shown in the figure below. Y2O3 is a Lewis acid and the positively charged metal atom attracts the negatively charged phospholipid, absorbing it onto the metal-oxide surface. Y2O3 flowers have a larger specific surface area than cubes, so absorb phopholipds more efficiently (approximately 90% rather than 80% of 870 ppm phospholipid in soyabean oil). This demonstrates that both flowers and cubes could have potential use in the separation of phospholipids from plant oils.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Lewis Acid Y2O3 Cubes and Flowers for the Removal of Phospholipids from Soybean Oil

For more information see the paper at:

Hydrothermal synthesis of Lewis acid Y2O3 cubes and flowers for the removal of phospholipids from soybean oil
Yi-Feng Lin, Jhen-Huei Chen, Shih-Hong Hsu and Tsair-Wang Chung
CrystEngComm, 2013, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C3CE40791H, Paper


Gwenda KydGwenda Kyd has a PhD in metallocarborane chemistry from the University of Edinburgh. Other research work includes the spectroscopic study of the structure of glasses and organometallic electron-transfer reactions and the preparation of new inorganic phosphors. Currently she works as a scientific database editor.

Digg This
Reddit This
Stumble Now!
Share on Facebook
Bookmark this on Delicious
Share on LinkedIn
Bookmark this on Technorati
Post on Twitter
Google Buzz (aka. Google Reader)