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Applied Sciences
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State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium
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State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Nanotechnology and Applied Nanosciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2019) | Viewed by 40978

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Philippe Lambin

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Guest Editor
Department of Physics, University of Namur, Rue de Bruxelles 61, B-5000 Namur, Belgium
Interests: theoretical solid-state physics; nanosciences; structural; mechanical and electronic properties of carbon nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Like in many countries, research devoted to nanosciences in Belgium grew up after high-resolution electron microscopy and local probe microscopic tools became available. The concomitant development of nanostructure fabrication techniques, like CVD, electrodeposition, and solgel synthesis, gave a further impulse to the field. Subsequently, the mastering of nanofabrication by lithography and focused ion beams, for example, pushed nanoscience research into its golden age. In parallel, the elaboration of more and more sophisticated ab-initio software, together with the constant rise of computer performances, has opened the way to more and more accurate computational tools. Nowadays, it is possible to predict the properties of new nanostructures and nanodevices beforehand. All these aspects of nanoscience research have been developed in Belgian universities and Belgian research centers. This Special Issue offers an opportunity for actors working in these places to publish their results in full open access.

Prof. Dr. Philippe Lambin
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 181 KiB  
Editorial
Featuring the State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium
by Philippe Lambin
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(16), 5427; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10165427 - 06 Aug 2020
Viewed by 1636
Abstract
Like in many countries, research devoted to nanosciences in Belgium grew up after high-resolution electron microscopy and local probe microscopic tools became available [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)

Research

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13 pages, 2370 KiB  
Article
Opal-Like Photonic Structuring of Perovskite Solar Cells Using a Genetic Algorithm Approach
by Michaël Lobet, Alexandre Mayer, Anthony Maho, Pierre Piron, Jennifer Dewalque, Catherine Henrist and Jérôme Loicq
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(5), 1783; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10051783 - 05 Mar 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3156
Abstract
Light management is an important area of photovoltaic research, but little is known about it in perovskite solar cells. The present work numerically studies the positive effect of structuring the photo-active layer of perovskite material. This structuration consists of a hybrid absorbing layer [...] Read more.
Light management is an important area of photovoltaic research, but little is known about it in perovskite solar cells. The present work numerically studies the positive effect of structuring the photo-active layer of perovskite material. This structuration consists of a hybrid absorbing layer made of an uniform part and an opal-like part. A genetic algorithm approach allows us to determine the optimal combination among more than 1.4 × 10 9 potential combinations. The optimal combination provides an internal quantum efficiency of 98.1%, nearly 2% higher than for an equivalent unstructured photo-active layer. The robustness of the optimum against potential experimental deviations, as well as the angular dependency of the proposed structure, are examined in the present study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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21 pages, 3127 KiB  
Article
Coherent Exciton Dynamics in Ensembles of Size-Dispersed CdSe Quantum Dot Dimers Probed via Ultrafast Spectroscopy: A Quantum Computational Study
by Hugo Gattuso, Barbara Fresch, Raphael D. Levine and Françoise Remacle
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(4), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10041328 - 15 Feb 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2760
Abstract
Interdot coherent excitonic dynamics in nanometric colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QD) dimers lead to interdot charge migration and energy transfer. We show by electronic quantum dynamical simulations that the interdot coherent response to ultrashort fs laser pulses can be characterized by pump-probe transient [...] Read more.
Interdot coherent excitonic dynamics in nanometric colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QD) dimers lead to interdot charge migration and energy transfer. We show by electronic quantum dynamical simulations that the interdot coherent response to ultrashort fs laser pulses can be characterized by pump-probe transient absorption spectroscopy in spite of the inevitable inherent size dispersion of colloidal QDs. The latter, leading to a broadening of the excitonic bands, induce accidental resonances that actually increase the efficiency of the interdot coupling. The optical electronic response is computed by solving the time-dependent Schrodinger equation including the interaction with the oscillating electric field of the pulses for an ensemble of dimers that differ by their size. The excitonic Hamiltonian of each dimer is parameterized by the QD size and interdot distance, using an effective mass approximation. Local and charge transfer excitons are included in the dimer basis set. By tailoring the QD size, the excitonic bands can be tuned to overlap and thus favor interdot coupling. Computed pump-probe transient absorption maps averaged over the ensemble show that the coherence of excitons in QD dimers that lead to interdot charge migration can survive size disorder and could be observed in fs pump-probe, four-wave mixing, or covariance spectroscopy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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19 pages, 10430 KiB  
Article
Smart Nanocomposites for Nanosecond Signal Control: The Nano4waves Approach
by Francisco Mederos-Henry, Henok Mesfin, Yann Danlée, Rajkumar Jaiswar, Arnaud Delcorte, Christian Bailly, Sophie Hermans and Isabelle Huynen
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(3), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10031102 - 06 Feb 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2037
Abstract
The NANO4WAVES project has demonstrated the potential of a clever organization of nanoscale inclusions in polymer matrices or inks, e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, metallic nanoparticles, for controlling the electromagnetic propagation at wavelengths ranging from micrometers up to tenths of centimeters, with a particular [...] Read more.
The NANO4WAVES project has demonstrated the potential of a clever organization of nanoscale inclusions in polymer matrices or inks, e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, metallic nanoparticles, for controlling the electromagnetic propagation at wavelengths ranging from micrometers up to tenths of centimeters, with a particular focus on broadband absorption. This paper illustrates the versatility of our approach, encompassing the synthesis of various nano-objects, their dispersion and organization at the macroscopic level, and their state-of-the-art characterization for the realization of efficient novel microwave absorbers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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9 pages, 4342 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Highly Crystalline Vertically Aligned WSe2 Nanosheets
by Ayrton Sierra-Castillo, Emile Haye, Selene Acosta, Carla Bittencourt and J.-F. Colomer
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(3), 874; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10030874 - 27 Jan 2020
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4136
Abstract
Here, we report on the synthesis of tungsten diselenide (WSe2) nanosheets using an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition technique via the rapid selenization of thin tungsten films. The morphology and the structure, as well as the optical properties, of the so-produced [...] Read more.
Here, we report on the synthesis of tungsten diselenide (WSe2) nanosheets using an atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition technique via the rapid selenization of thin tungsten films. The morphology and the structure, as well as the optical properties, of the so-produced material have been studied using electron microscopies, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, photoluminescence, UV–visible and Raman spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction. These studies confirmed the high crystallinity, quality, purity, and orientation of the WSe2 nanosheets, in addition to the unexpected presence of mixed phases, instead of only the most thermodynamically stable 2H phase. The synthesized material might be useful for applications such as gas sensing or for hydrogen evolution reaction catalysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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16 pages, 2483 KiB  
Article
On the Nanoscale Mapping of the Mechanical and Piezoelectric Properties of Poly (L-Lactic Acid) Electrospun Nanofibers
by Nguyen Thai Cuong, Sophie Barrau, Malo Dufay, Nicolas Tabary, Antonio Da Costa, Anthony Ferri, Roberto Lazzaroni, Jean-Marie Raquez and Philippe Leclère
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(2), 652; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10020652 - 16 Jan 2020
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4737
Abstract
The effect of the post-annealing process on different properties of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibers has been investigated in view of their use in energy-harvesting devices. Polymeric PLLA nanofibers were prepared by using electrospinning and then were thermally treated above their glass transition. [...] Read more.
The effect of the post-annealing process on different properties of poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibers has been investigated in view of their use in energy-harvesting devices. Polymeric PLLA nanofibers were prepared by using electrospinning and then were thermally treated above their glass transition. A detailed comparison between as-spun (amorphous) and annealed (semi-crystalline) samples was performed in terms of the crystallinity, morphology and mechanical as well as piezoelectric properties using a multi-technique approach combining DSC, XRD, FTIR, and AFM measurements. A significant increase in the crystallinity of PLLA nanofibers has been observed after the post-annealing process, together with a major improvement of the mechanical and piezoelectric properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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11 pages, 3486 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Catalyst Selectivity in Carbon-Nanotube Silylesterification
by Simon Detriche, Arvind K. Bhakta, Patrick N’Twali, Joseph Delhalle and Zineb Mekhalif
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10010109 - 21 Dec 2019
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2438
Abstract
The functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) plays a key role in their solubilization and compatibility for many applications. Among the many possible ways to functionalize CNTs, the creation of an Si–O–C bond is crucial for the formation of silicone composites. Catalyst-mediated silylesterification is [...] Read more.
The functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) plays a key role in their solubilization and compatibility for many applications. Among the many possible ways to functionalize CNTs, the creation of an Si–O–C bond is crucial for the formation of silicone composites. Catalyst-mediated silylesterification is useful in creating Si–O–C bonds because it is cost-effective and uses a hydrosilane precursor of lower reactivity than that of chlorosilane. However, it was previously demonstrated that two important silylesterification catalysts (zinc chloride and Karstedt’s catalyst) exhibit different selectivity for oxidized functional groups that are present on the surface of CNTs after oxidative acid treatment. This report details the selective modification of CNTs with various oxygenated functional groups (aromatic and nonaromatic alcohols, carboxylic acids, ethers, and ketones) using diazonium chemistry. Modified CNTs were used to assess the specifity of zinc chloride and Karstedt’s catalyst for oxygenated functional groups during a silylesterification reaction. Karstedt’s catalyst appeared to be widely applicable, allowing for the silylesterification of all of the aforementioned oxygenated functional groups. However, it showed lower efficacy for ethers and ketones. By contrast, zinc chloride was found to be very specific for nonaromatic carboxylic acids. This study also examined the Hansen solubility parameters of modified CNTs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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13 pages, 3017 KiB  
Article
Low Kinetic Energy Oxygen Ion Irradiation of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes
by Selene Acosta, Juan Casanova Chafer, Ayrton Sierra Castillo, Eduard Llobet, Rony Snyders, Jean-François Colomer, Mildred Quintana, Chris Ewels and Carla Bittencourt
Appl. Sci. 2019, 9(24), 5342; https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245342 - 06 Dec 2019
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2911
Abstract
Vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (v-CNTs) were functionalized with oxygen groups using low kinetic energy oxygen ion irradiation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicates that oxygen ion irradiation produces three different types of oxygen functional groups at the CNTs surface: epoxide, carbonyl and [...] Read more.
Vertically aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes (v-CNTs) were functionalized with oxygen groups using low kinetic energy oxygen ion irradiation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis indicates that oxygen ion irradiation produces three different types of oxygen functional groups at the CNTs surface: epoxide, carbonyl and carboxyl groups. The relative concentration of these groups depends on the parameters used for oxygen ion irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the macroscopic structure and alignment of v-CNTS are not affected by the ion irradiation and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) proves tip functionalization of v-CNTs. We observed that in comparison to oxygen plasma treatment, oxygen ion irradiation shows higher functionalization efficiency and versatility. Ion irradiation leads to higher amount of oxygen grafting at the v-CNTs surface, besides different functional groups and their relative concentration can be tuned varying the irradiation parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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Review

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14 pages, 1704 KiB  
Review
Carbon Nanotubes under Scrutiny: Their Toxicity and Utility in Mesothelioma Research
by Micaela Orsi, Chafik Al Hatem, Riccardo Leinardi and François Huaux
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(13), 4513; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10134513 - 29 Jun 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3424 | Correction
Abstract
Research on the toxicity of engineered carbon nanotubes (CNT) was initiated by Belgian academic chemists and toxicologists more than 15 years ago. It is now undisputed that some of these attractive nanomaterials induce serious illness such as fibrosis and cancer. The physico-chemical determinants [...] Read more.
Research on the toxicity of engineered carbon nanotubes (CNT) was initiated by Belgian academic chemists and toxicologists more than 15 years ago. It is now undisputed that some of these attractive nanomaterials induce serious illness such as fibrosis and cancer. The physico-chemical determinants of CNT-induced adverse effects are now elucidated and include shape, nanoscale diameter, and structural defects. Generated in vitro and in vivo data on their inflammogenic and fibrogenic activities were combined and translated in AOP (adverse outcome pathways) available for risk assessment and regulatory policies. The asbestos-like carcinogenic effect of CNT, notably their capacity to induce malignant mesothelioma (MM), remain, however, a cause of concern for public health and strongly curb the craze for CNT in industries. MM still represents a real challenge for clinicians and a highly refractory cancer to existing therapeutic strategies. By comparing mesotheliomagenic CNT (needle-like CNT-N) to non mesotheliomagenic CNT (tangled-like CNT-T), our group generated a relevant animal model that highlights immune pathways specifically associated to the carcinogenic process. Evidence indicates that only CNT-N possess the intrinsic capacity to induce a preferential, rapid, and sustained accumulation of host immunosuppressive cells that subvert immune surveillance and suppress anti-mesothelioma immunity. This new concept offers novel horizons for the clinical management of mesothelioma and represents an additional tool for predicting the mesotheliomagenic activity of newly elaborated CNT or nanoparticles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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14 pages, 5820 KiB  
Review
First-Principles Study of the Contact Resistance at 2D Metal/2D Semiconductor Heterojunctions
by Michel Houssa, Ruishen Meng, Valery Afanas’ev and André Stesmans
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(8), 2731; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10082731 - 15 Apr 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3250
Abstract
The high contact resistance at metal/two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor junctions is a major issue for the integration of 2D materials in nanoelectronic devices. We review here recent theoretical results on the contact resistance at lateral heterojunctions between graphene or 1T-MoS2 with 2H-MoS2 [...] Read more.
The high contact resistance at metal/two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor junctions is a major issue for the integration of 2D materials in nanoelectronic devices. We review here recent theoretical results on the contact resistance at lateral heterojunctions between graphene or 1T-MoS2 with 2H-MoS2 monolayers. The transport properties at these junctions are computed using density functional theory and the non-equilibrium Green’s function method. The contact resistance is found to strongly depend on the edge contact symmetry/termination at graphene/2H-MoS2 contacts, varying between about 2 × 102 and 2 × 104 Ω∙μm. This large variation is correlated to the presence or absence of dangling bond defects and/or polar bonds at the interface. On the other hand, the large computed contact resistance at pristine 1T/2H-MoS2 junctions, in the range of 3–4 × 104 Ω.μm, is related to the large electron energy barrier (about 0.8 eV) at the interface. The functionalization of the metallic 1T-MoS2 contact by various adsorbates is predicted to decrease the contact resistance by about two orders of magnitude, being very promising for device applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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25 pages, 16067 KiB  
Review
Magnetic Nanowires
by Luc Piraux
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(5), 1832; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10051832 - 06 Mar 2020
Cited by 51 | Viewed by 6516
Abstract
Magnetic nanowires are attractive materials because of their morphology-dependent remarkable properties suitable for various advanced technologies in sensing, data storage, spintronics, biomedicine and microwave devices, etc. The recent advances in synthetic strategies and approaches for the fabrication of complex structures, such as parallel [...] Read more.
Magnetic nanowires are attractive materials because of their morphology-dependent remarkable properties suitable for various advanced technologies in sensing, data storage, spintronics, biomedicine and microwave devices, etc. The recent advances in synthetic strategies and approaches for the fabrication of complex structures, such as parallel arrays and 3D networks of one-dimensional nanostructures, including nanowires, nanotubes, and multilayers, are presented. The simple template-assisted electrodeposition method enables the fabrication of different nanowire-based architectures with excellent control over geometrical features, morphology and chemical composition, leading to tunable magnetic, magneto-transport and thermoelectric properties. This review article summarizing the work carried out at UCLouvain focuses on the magnetic and spin-dependent transport properties linked to the material and geometrical characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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19 pages, 10265 KiB  
Review
Computational Atomistic Modeling in Carbon Flatland and Other 2D Nanomaterials
by Aurélie Champagne, Samuel Dechamps, Simon M.-M. Dubois, Aurélien Lherbier, Viet-Hung Nguyen and Jean-Christophe Charlier
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(5), 1724; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10051724 - 03 Mar 2020
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2812
Abstract
As in many countries, the rise of nanosciences in Belgium has been triggered in the eighties in the one hand, by the development of scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopes offering an unprecedented possibility to visualize and manipulate the atoms, and in the [...] Read more.
As in many countries, the rise of nanosciences in Belgium has been triggered in the eighties in the one hand, by the development of scanning tunneling and atomic force microscopes offering an unprecedented possibility to visualize and manipulate the atoms, and in the other hand, by the synthesis of nano-objects in particular carbon nanostructures such as fullerene and nanotubes. Concomitantly, the increasing calculating power and the emergence of computing facilities together with the development of DFT-based ab initio softwares have brought to nanosciences field powerful simulation tools to analyse and predict properties of nano-objects. Starting with 0D and 1D nanostructures, the floor is now occupied by the 2D materials with graphene being the bow of this 2D ship. In this review article, some specific examples of 2D systems has been chosen to illustrate how not only density functional theory (DFT) but also tight-binding (TB) techniques can be daily used to investigate theoretically the electronic, phononic, magnetic, and transport properties of these atomically thin layered materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State of the Art of Nanosciences in Belgium)
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