High-temperature redox chemistry of La1.5+xSr0.5−xCo0.5Ni0.5O4+δ (x = 0.0, 0.2) studied in situ by neutron diffraction. A team from France and the UK has found first structural evidence of the coexistence of both anion vacancies and interstitial anions in a type of materials that could be used for solid oxide fuels. The team used neutron powder diffraction to study the redox behaviour of two n = 1 Ruddlesden–Popper oxides in real time as the sample was heated and exposed to H2. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM10445D, Advance Article)
What can we learn about battery materials from their magnetic properties? In this Hot Article M. Stanley Whittingham and co-workers discuss how the connection between the magnetic properties and the electronic and atomic structure in Li-ion battery materials can been used to reveal details about the electrochemical performance of the battery materials. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, DOI: 10.1039/C1JM00024A, Advance Article)
Switchable photoconductivity of quantum dot films using cross-linking ligands with light-sensitive structures. Using a light sensitive ligand to cross-link films of CdSe quantum dots can be used to create electrical junctions with photoswitchable conductivity say a team of US scientists. The team from Northwestern University led by Emily Weiss achieved an enhancement in the current density by an average factor of 6.5 times upon switching from visible excitation to UV excitation, which induces the ligand to switch from an open, non-conductive form to a closed, conductive form. (J. Mater. Chem., 2011, Advance Article DOI:10.1039/C0JM04397D)
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