Themed collection Advances in Materials Characterisation
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The emergence of mass spectrometry for characterizing nanomaterials. Atomically precise nanoclusters and beyond
Mass spectrometry is widely used in molecular science, and is now emerging as a characterization technique for ultra-small nanoparticles.
Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 4896-4913
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00261A
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Atomic-scale characterization of structural heterogeny in 2D TMD layers
Recent progress in atomic-scale TEM characterization of structural heterogeny in 2D TMD layers is overviewed. The prospects of visualization techniques are assessed toward atomic-scale identification and manipulation of defects and heterointerfaces.
Mater. Adv., 2022,3, 1401-1414
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA01013A
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From metal–organic framework powders to shaped solids: recent developments and challenges
This review discusses the impact of shaping techniques on the physico-chemical properties of metal–organic frameworks.
Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 7139-7186
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00630D
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Origin of Sn(II) oxidation in tin halide perovskites
Tin-halide perovskites have great potential as photovoltaic materials, but their performance is hampered by undesirable oxidation of Sn(II) to Sn(IV). NMR proves DMSO to be a main cause of oxidation.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 1066-1070
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00245C
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The surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering of dye molecules adsorbed on two-dimensional titanium carbide Ti3C2Tx (MXene) film
The resonance Raman signal enhancement of crystal violet dyes onto the two-dimensional MXene–Ti3C2Tx film, so called MXenes-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (MERRS), is reported with a calculated enhancement factor of 3.42 × 109.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 146-152
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00091D
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Resolving nanoscopic structuring and interfacial THz dynamics in setting cements
The setting dynamics of commercial cements were tracked non-destructively by THz spectroscopy probing interfacial dynamics and neutron scattering resolving structural evolutions over 1–30 nm, with trends made comprehensible by computational models.
Mater. Adv., 2022,3, 4982-4990
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA01002F
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The characterisation of commercial 2D carbons: graphene, graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide
Commercial 2D carbon materials are shown to be largely nanographite with a small percentage of single layer material present.
Mater. Adv., 2022,3, 2810-2826
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA01023A
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Anharmonicity induced faster decay of hot phonons in rutile TiO2 nanorods: a Raman spectromicroscopy study
Temperature-dependent Raman spectromicroscopy of rutile TiO2 nanorods has been studied here to understand the effect of thermal perturbations on different Raman-active phonon modes.
Mater. Adv., 2022,3, 1602-1608
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00940K
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Thin films of electron donor–acceptor complexes: characterisation of mixed-crystalline phases and implications for electrical doping
For electron donor–acceptor complexes a link will be established between optical, structural and vibrational properties of EDA complexes as well as the electrical doping by them.
Mater. Adv., 2022,3, 1017-1034
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00578B
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Effect of conductivity, viscosity, and density of water-in-salt electrolytes on the electrochemical behavior of supercapacitors: molecular dynamics simulations and in situ characterization studies
Molecular configurations of the 1.0 mol dm−3 and 8.0 mol dm−3 NaClO4 aqueous electrolytes, and shear viscosity and ionic conductivity as a function of the molar and molal concentrations of NaClO4 aqueous solutions.
Mater. Adv., 2022,3, 611-623
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00890K
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Levulinic acid-based bioplasticizers: a facile approach to enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of polyhydroxyalkanoates
PHB has been engineered by incorporating different levulinic acid-based bioplasticizers, which enhance flexibility and thermal processability of the neat biopolymer, while retaining excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability.
Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 7869-7880
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00833A
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Morphological and mechanical characterization of high-strength sulfur composites prepared with variably-sized lignocellulose particles
The extent to which lignocellulose biomass particle size influences the properties of biomass–sulfur composites prepared from these particles was evaluated.
Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 7413-7422
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00689D
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A low-cost tabletop tensile tester with optical extensometer
This work presents a low cost (∼$500) fully customizable tensile tester, together with custom made operation software. It delivers data of similar quality to commercial equipment.
Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 6339-6343
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00598G
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High-field/high-frequency EPR spectroscopy on synthetic melanin: on the origin of carbon-centered radicals
High-field/high-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy was employed to synthesize melanin to provide relevant information on the carbon-centered free-radical nature of this biomaterial.
Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 6297-6305
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00446H
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The distortion of two FePO4 polymorphs with high pressure
Both the trigonal (Berlinite-type, phase-I), and orthorhombic (CrVO4-type, phase-II) forms of FePO4 have been studied at high-pressure using neutron powder diffraction.
Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 5096-5104
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00227A
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Temperature dependent poly(L-lactide) crystallization investigated by Fourier transform terahertz spectroscopy
Characteristic poly(L-lactide) absorption peaks were identified at 1.8, 4.0, 4.7, and 7.1 THz for an 80 °C crystallization temperature (Tc) sample; higher Tc resulted in a blue shift of the absorption peak frequency.
Mater. Adv., 2021,2, 4630-4633
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1MA00195G
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Hybrid perovskite crystallization from binary solvent mixtures: interplay of evaporation rate and binding strength of solvents
In this article, we rationalize chemical pathways and kinetics of hybrid perovskites crystallization from binary solvent mixtures based on solvent binding strength, evaporation rate model, and in situ GIWAXS monitoring.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 3314-3321
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00815J
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Spectral characteristics upon harvesting plasmonic hot electrons at the Ag/ZnO heteromicrostructures
The spectral characteristics of silver/zinc oxide heteromicrostructures with different interesting morphologies upon metal–semiconductor interfacial modification have been elucidated.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 2897-2907
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00362J
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Magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy provides insight into the impact of small molecule uptake by G-quartet hydrogels
Compositions, local structures and interactions of medicinally relevant small molecules added to G-quartet hydrogels are characterized using gel-state NMR spectroscopy.
Mater. Adv., 2020,1, 2236-2247
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0MA00475H
About this collection
We are delighted to share with you a new collection of articles highlighting some of the most popular recent articles published in Materials Advances on different aspects of materials characterisation. Containing both reviews and original research, the collection includes work on new characterisation methods as well as applications to a variety of systems from MOFs to nanomaterials.