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82 items found (0 items not approved), displaying 1 to 10.[First/Prev] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 [Next/Last]

Instruments / Technical Area	Publication Details	Published
	Controllable magnetism and an anomalous Hall effect in (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3-intercalated MnBi2Te4 multilayers Peng Chen , Jieyi Liu , Yifan Zhang , Puyang Huang , Jack Bollard , Yiheng Yang , Ethan L. Arnold , Xinqi Liu , Qi Yao , Fadi Choueikani , Gerrit Van Der Laan , Thorsten Hesjedal , Xufeng Kou Nanoscale 1 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR05486E Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: MnBi2Te4-based superlattices not only enrich the materials family of magnetic topological insulators, but also offer a platform for tailoring magnetic properties and interlayer magnetic coupling through the strategic insertion layer design. Here, we present the electrical and magnetic characterization of (Bi1−xSbx)2Te3-intercalated MnBi2Te4 multilayers grown by molecular beam epitaxy. By precisely adjusting the Sb-to-Bi ratio in the spacer layer, the magneto-transport response is modulated, unveiling the critical role of Fermi level tuning in optimizing the anomalous Hall signal and reconfiguring the magnetic ground state. Moreover, by varying the interlayer thickness, tunable magnetic coupling is achieved, enabling precise control over ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic components. These findings pave the way for the exploration of versatile magnetic topological phases in quantum materials systems.	Feb 2025
B23-Circular Dichroism	Unravelling the origin of strong non-reciprocal chiroptical features in thin films of a chiral diketopyrrolo[3,4- c ]pyrrole dye Gianluigi Albano , Marco Bertuolo , Francesco Zinna , Andrea Taddeucci , Tamas Javorfi , Rohanah Hussain , Gianluca M. Farinola , Gennaro Pescitelli , Angela Punzi , Giuliano Siligardi , Lorenzo Di Bari Nanoscale 23 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR04956J Diamond Proposal Number(s): [36727] Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: The development of chiral organic materials with strong non-reciprocal chiroptical features may have major implications for cutting-edge technological applications. In this work, a new ad hoc synthesized chiral 1,4-diketo-3,6-dithienylpyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole dye, bearing two (S)-3,7-dimethyl-1-octyl alkyl chains on the lactam moieties and functionalized with two lateral 9-anthracenyl π-conjugated units, exhibited strong non-reciprocal chiroptical properties in thin films, with some important differences between samples prepared by drop casting and spin coating. A detailed study was performed to unravel the intimate structure–property relationship, involving computational analysis, different microscopy techniques and synchrotron radiation Mueller matrix polarimetry imaging (SR-MMPi) investigation. Through SR-MMPi, exploiting the highly collimated synchrotron radiation (SR) light of Diamond Light Source B23 beamline, we determined the size of the linear contributions responsible for the strong non-reciprocal features, and how they manifest in the various 2D chiral meso-domains.	Jan 2025
B23-Circular Dichroism	Film thickness dependence of nanoscale arrangement of a chiral electron donor in its blends with an achiral electron acceptor Giulia Pancotti , C. Elizabeth Killalea , Thomas W. Rees , Letizia Liiro-Peluso , Sergi Riera-Galindo , Peter Beton , Mariano Campoy-Quiles , David B. Amabilino , Giuliano Siligardi Nanoscale DOI: 10.1039/D4NR04269G Diamond Proposal Number(s): [30198] Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: The nanoscale chiral arrangement in a bicomponent organic material system comprising donor and acceptor small molecules is shown to depend on the thickness of a film that is responsive to chiral light in an optoelectronic device. In this bulk heterojunction, a previously unreported chiral bis(diketopyrrolopyrrole) derivative was combined with an achiral non-fullerene acceptor. The optical activity of the chiral compound is dramatically different in the pure material and the composite, showing how the electron acceptor influences the donor’s arrangement compared with the pure molecule. Mueller matrix polarimetric imaging shows the authenticity of this effect and the homogeneity of short range chiral orientations between the molecules, as well as more heterogeneous short and longer range arrangements in the films observed in linear dichroic and birefringent effects. The two-dimensional circular dichroism (CD) maps and spectra show the uniformity of the short range supramolecular interactions both in spun-cast films on quartz and blade-coated films on photovoltaic device substrates, where evidence for the chiral arrangement is uniquely provided by the synchrotron CD measurements. The external quantum efficiency of the devices depends upon the handedness of the light used to excite them and the film thickness, that influences the supramolecular arrangement and organization in the film, and determines the selectivity for left or right circularly polarised light. The difference in external quantum efficiency of the photovoltaic devices between the two handedness’ of light correlates with the apparent differential absorbance (g-factor) of the films.	Dec 2024
I11-High Resolution Powder Diffraction	Liquid exfoliation of a series of expanded layered Cu(ii)-paddlewheel metal–organic frameworks to form nanosheets Joshua Nicks , Thomas M. Roseveare , Michael S. Harris , David J. Ashworth , George Danczuk , Lee Brammer , Jonathan A. Foster Nanoscale 110 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR02663B Diamond Proposal Number(s): [24454] Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: Ultrasonic liquid exfoliation provides a convenient route for converting layered materials into nanosheets. However, the relationship between the structure and morphology of the bulk materials and the properties of the resulting nanosheets remains poorly understood. In this work, we prepare an isoreticular series of layered metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) based on linear aromatic dicarboxylate derivatives (L1, L2, L3) with three different linker lengths (L3 > L2 > L1) and using copper(II) nitrate and acetate as metal ion sources. Liquid exfoliation of large crystals of all three MOFs [Cu2(L)2](solvent)2, synthesised from Cu(NO3)2, produced monolayer nanosheets with longer linkers leading to larger lateral dimensions. Exfoliation of smaller MOF crystals, formed using the copper(II) acetate salt under identical conditions, produced a much higher concentration of multi-layer nanosheets with smaller lateral dimensions. These results indicate that the initial crystal size plays an important role in determining both the lateral dimensions and the thicknesses of nanosheets. Such insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the design principles governing metal–organic framework nanosheets (MONs) and other two-dimensional materials.	Oct 2024
I15-1-X-ray Pair Distribution Function (XPDF)	Effect of solvothermal synthesis parameters on crystallite size and atomic structure of cobalt iron oxide nanoparticles Olivia Aalling-Frederiksen , Rebecca K. Pittkowski , Andy S. Anker , Jonathan Quinson , Lars Klemeyer , Ben Frandsen , Dorota Koziej , Kirsten M. O. Jensen Nanoscale Advances DOI: 10.1039/D4NA00590B Diamond Proposal Number(s): [21791] Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: We investigate how synthesis method affect the crystallite size and atomic structure of cobalt iron oxide nanoparticles. By using a simple solvothermal method, we first synthesize cobalt ferrite nanoparticles of ca. 2 and 7 nm, characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Small Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), X-ray and neutron total scattering. The smallest particle size corresponds to only a few spinel unit cells, nevertheless, Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis of X-ray and neutron total scattering data show that the atomic structure in even the smallest nanoparticles is well described by the spinel structure, however with significant disorder and a contraction of the unit cell parameter. These effects can be explained by surface oxidation of the small nanoparticles, which is confirmed by X-ray near edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES). Neutron total scattering data and PDF analysis reveal a larger degree of inversion of the spinel of the smallest nanoparticles. Neutron total scattering data furthermore allows magnetic PDF (mPDF) analysis, which show that the ferrimagnetic domains correspond to ca. 80% of the crystallite size in the larger particles. A similar but less well-defined magnetic ordering was observed for the smallest nanoparticles. Finally, we use a co-precipitation synthesis method at room temperature to synthesize ferrite nanoparticles of similar size as the smallest crystallites synthesized by the solvothermal method. Structural analysis with PDF demonstrates that the ferrite nanoparticles synthesized via this method exhibit a significantly more defective structure compared to those synthesized via a solvothermal method.	Sep 2024
B23-Circular Dichroism	Development of low-cost, compact chiroptical imaging systems Matthew Ward , Ronan Docherty , Louis Minion , Xingyuan Shi , Kai Anson , Giuliano Siligardi , Jenny Nelson , Jessica Wade , Matthew J. Fuchter Nanoscale DOI: 10.1039/D4NR01651C Diamond Proposal Number(s): [29151] Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: Circular dichroism spectroscopy is a key probe of the structural and optical properties of chiral materials, however, commercial circular dichroism spectrometers are large, prohibitively expensive and rarely offer environmental control of the sample under test. Using Fresnel rhombs as inexpensive broadband quarter-wave plates, we demonstrate two novel, low-cost (<£2,000) and portable imaging systems controlled by our own bespoke open-source control software which are capable of spatially mapping the circular dichroism of chiral solid state films. By coupling these imaging systems with a temperature controlled stage, we show that we can rapidly identify the thermal processing conditions required to maximise circular dichroism in chiral solid state films by measuring circular dichroism in situ during thermal annealing of a sample under test. The accuracy and spatial resolution of these circular dichroism imagers are cross-compared against our previous studies using an existing circular dichroism imaging system at the Diamond Light Source and are shown to be in good agreement, with a sensitivity down to 250 mdeg and a spatial resolution of 100 μm.	Jun 2024
Krios I-Titan Krios I at Diamond	Distance tuneable integral membrane protein containing floating bilayers via in situ directed self-assembly Stephen C. L. Hall , David J. Hardy , Eilis C. Bragginton , Hannah Johnston , Tudor Onose , Rachel Holyfield , Pooja Sridhar , Timothy J. Knowles , Luke A. Clifton Nanoscale 277 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR04622B Diamond Proposal Number(s): [33797] Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: Model membranes allow for structural and biophysical studies on membrane biochemistry at the molecular level, albeit on systems of reduced complexity which can limit biological accuracy. Floating supported bilayers offer a means of producing planar lipid membrane models not adhered to a surface, which allows for improved accuracy compared to other model membranes. Here we communicate the incorporation of an integral membrane protein complex, the multidomain β-barrel assembly machinery (Bam), into our recently developed in situ self-assembled floating supported bilayers. Using neutron reflectometry and quartz crystal microbalance measurements we show this sample system can be fabricated using a two-step self-assembly process. We then demonstrate the complexity of the model membrane and tuneability of the membrane-to-surface distance using changes in the salt concentration of the bulk solution. Results demonstrate an easily fabricated, biologically accurate and tuneable membrane assay system which can be utilized for studies on integral membrane proteins within their native lipid matrix.	Jun 2024
E02-JEM ARM 300CF	Characterisation of the morphology of surface-assembled Au nanoclusters on amorphous carbon Malcolm Dearg , Sean Lethbridge , James Mccormack , Richard E. Palmer , Thomas Slater Nanoscale DOI: 10.1039/D4NR00978A Diamond Proposal Number(s): [28449] Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: In this study, aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy is employed to investigate the morphology of Au clusters formed from the aggregation of single atoms sputtered onto an amorphous carbon surface. The morphologies of surface-assembled clusters of N > 100 atoms are referenced against the morphologies of size-selected clusters determined from previously published results. We observe that surface-assembled clusters (at the conditions employed here) are approximately spherical in shape. The structural isomers of the imaged clusters have also been identified, and the distribution of structural types is broadly in agreement with those from size-selected cluster deposition sources. For clusters of approximately 147 atoms, we find a preference for icosahedra over decahedra and cuboctahedra, but at this size there is a high proportion of unidentified/amorphous structures. At around 309 atoms, we find a preference for decahedra over icosahedra and cuboctahedra, but over half the structures remain unidentifiable/amorphous. For sizes above 561 atoms we are able to identify most of the structures, and find decahedra are still the most favoured, although in competition with single-crystal fcc morphologies. The similarity in structure between surface-assembled and size-selected clusters from a cluster source provides evidence of the relevance of size-selected cluster studies to clusters synthesised by other, industrially relevant, methodologies.	May 2024
I22-Small angle scattering & Diffraction	Impact of organic phosphates on the structure and composition of short-range ordered iron nanophases Zhengzheng Chen , Jeffrey Paulo H. Perez , Glen J. Smales , Roberts Blukis , Brian R. Pauw , Jessica A. Stammeier , Jörg Radnik , Andrew J. Smith , Liane G. Benning Nanoscale Advances 155 DOI: 10.1039/D3NA01045G Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: Organic phosphates (OP) are important nutrient components for living cells in natural environments, where they readily interact with ubiquitous iron phases such as hydrous ferric oxide, ferrihydrite (FHY). FHY partakes in many key bio(geo)chemical reactions including iron-mediated carbon storage in soils, or iron-storage in living organisms. However, it is still unknown how OP affects the formation, structure and properties of FHY. Here, we document how β-glycerophosphate (GP), a model OP ligand, affects the structure and properties of GP–FHY nanoparticles synthesized by coprecipitation at variable nominal molar P/Fe ratios (0.01 to 0.5). All GP–FHY precipitates were characterized by a maximum solid P/Fe ratio of 0.22, irrespective of the nominal P/Fe ratio. With increasing nominal P/Fe ratio, the specific surface area of the GP–FHY precipitates decreased sharply from 290 to 3 m2 g−1, accompanied by the collapse of their pore structure. The Fe–P local bonding environment gradually transitioned from a bidentate binuclear geometry at low P/Fe ratios to monodentate mononuclear geometry at high P/Fe ratios. This transition was accompanied by a decrease in coordination number of edge-sharing Fe polyhedra, and the loss of the corner-sharing Fe polyhedra. We show that Fe(III) polymerization is impeded by GP, and that the GP–FHY structure is highly dependent on the P/Fe ratio. We discuss the role that natural OP-bearing Fe(III) nanophases have in biogeochemical reactions between Fe–P and C species in aquatic systems.	Apr 2024
I15-1-X-ray Pair Distribution Function (XPDF)	Copper single-site engineering in MOF-808 membranes for improved water treatment Isabel Del Castillo Velilla , Ignacio Romero-Muniz , Carlo Marini , Carmen Montoro , Ana Platero-Prats Nanoscale 30 DOI: 10.1039/D3NR05821B Diamond Proposal Number(s): [30311] Open Access Show Abstract ▼ Abstract: MOF-808, a metal–organic framework containing Zr6O8 clusters, can serve as a secure anchoring point for stabilizing copper single-sites with redox activity, thus making it a promising candidate for catalytic applications. In this study, we target the incorporation of Cu-MOF-808 into a mixed-matrix membrane for the degradation of tyrosol, an emerging endocrine-disrupting compound commonly found in water sources, through Fenton reactions, developing innovative technologies for water treatment. We successfully demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach by preparing catalytic membranes with minimal metal leaching, which is one of the primary challenges in developing copper-based Fenton heterogeneous catalysts. Furthermore, we utilized advanced synchrotron characterization techniques, combining X-ray absorption spectroscopy and pair distribution function analysis of X-ray total scattering, to provide evidence of the atomic structure of the catalytic copper sites within the membranes. Additionally, we observed the presence of weak interactions between the MOF-808 and the organic polymer, potentially explaining their enhanced stability.	Mar 2024

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