Journal Description
Crystals
Crystals
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on Crystallography published monthly online by MDPI. The Professional Committee of Key Materials and Technology for Electronic Components (PC-KMTEC) is affiliated with Crystals and its members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), Inspec, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Crystallography) / CiteScore - Q2 (Condensed Matter Physics)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 10.8 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.7 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
2.4 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.4 (2023)
Latest Articles
Advancements in the Engineering Modification of Sucrose Phosphorylase
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110972 (registering DOI) - 9 Nov 2024
Abstract
Sucrose phosphorylase (SPase) is a member of the glycoside hydrolase family 13, catalyzing the reversible phosphorolysis of sucrose to produce α–glucose–1–phosphate and exhibiting transglycosylation activity toward multiple substrates. Its wide substrate specificity enables the synthesis of various glycosides, which are broadly applied in
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Sucrose phosphorylase (SPase) is a member of the glycoside hydrolase family 13, catalyzing the reversible phosphorolysis of sucrose to produce α–glucose–1–phosphate and exhibiting transglycosylation activity toward multiple substrates. Its wide substrate specificity enables the synthesis of various glycosides, which are broadly applied in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. However, the industrial application of SPase is constrained by its poor thermostability and limited transglycosylation activity. Therefore, current research focuses on enhancing the thermostability and transglycosylation activity of SPase through efficient engineering strategies based on its crystal structure and catalytic mechanism. This paper systematically reviews the crystal structure and catalytic mechanism of SPase, outlines the application of protein engineering and immobilization strategies in improving the thermostability of SPase, and analyzes how modifications at key amino acid sites affect the synthesis of typical glycosylation products. It also summarizes the limitations of SPase engineering modification strategies and explores the potential of diversified approaches for SPase modification, highlighting its broad application prospects in industrial production and laying a solid foundation for further advancements in SPase engineering modification and its industrial application.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Approach in Synthesis of Bio-Inspired Materials (Second Edition))
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Conductive Hydrogel Materials for Flexible Supercapacitor Electrodes
by
Kun Zhang, Zhizhou Chen, Jinling Li, Gaoqiang Feng, Chang Xu, Jizhi Yang and Wanwan Li
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 971; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110971 (registering DOI) - 9 Nov 2024
Abstract
Flexible supercapacitors (SCs), as promising energy storage devices, have shown great potential for both next-generation wearable electronics and addressing the global energy crisis. Conductive hydrogels (CHs) are suitable electrode materials for flexible SCs on account of their intrinsic characteristics and functional advantages, such
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Flexible supercapacitors (SCs), as promising energy storage devices, have shown great potential for both next-generation wearable electronics and addressing the global energy crisis. Conductive hydrogels (CHs) are suitable electrode materials for flexible SCs on account of their intrinsic characteristics and functional advantages, such as a unique 3D porous structure, remarkable conductivity, tunable chemical and physical properties, and outstanding mechanical properties. Herein, an overview of the fabrication strategies for CHs as electrode materials in flexible SCs, as well as their advantages and disadvantages, and perspectives on CH-based SCs is provided. First, the fabrication strategies for CHs are systematically introduced. Second, various multifunctional CH-based SCs are presented and discussed. Finally, this review concludes with insights into the challenges and opportunities related to CHs or CH-based SCs, indicating future research prospects and application orientations in this field.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Energy Storage and Conversion Materials)
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Influence of Y2O3 Concentration on the Optical Properties of Multicomponent Glasses and Glass–Ceramics
by
Akram Beniaiche, Nabil Belkhir, Berta Pérez-Román, Juan Rubio and Fausto Rubio
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110970 (registering DOI) - 9 Nov 2024
Abstract
The optical properties and structural characterization of multicomponent silicate glasses of low Al2O3 and different Y2O3 concentrations have been studied. These glasses have also been crystallized to obtain glass–ceramic materials, and their properties have been characterized. The
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The optical properties and structural characterization of multicomponent silicate glasses of low Al2O3 and different Y2O3 concentrations have been studied. These glasses have also been crystallized to obtain glass–ceramic materials, and their properties have been characterized. The obtained glasses were transparent and their refractive indexes increased with Y2O3 concentration. After a heat treatment at 930 °C for 10 min, these glasses maintained their transparency, but a brown color appeared, and after 30 min, those glasses with high Y2O3 concentrations turned opaque or white in color. These processes of crystallization for obtaining the new glass–ceramics have been studied by means of FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, and the crystallized materials were characterized with XRD and FE-SEM techniques. These glasses and glass–ceramics have also been characterized by means of UV–vis spectroscopy, and the corresponding optical properties (reflectance, color, band-gap) have been determined as a function of the Y2O3 concentrations and the structural properties.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polycrystalline Materials—from Microstructure Characterization to Applications)
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Open AccessArticle
Investigation into the Rolling Process of 20CrNiMo/Incoloy 825 Composite Materials
by
Jie Liu, Hailian Gui, Peng Zhang, Chen Zhang and Hao Liu
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110969 - 8 Nov 2024
Abstract
This paper is focused on the rolling finite element simulation and experimental study of 20CrNiMo/Incoloy 825 composite materials. Firstly, single-pass rolling finite element simulations of the composite materials were conducted. The effects of rolling pass reduction and rolling speed on the warpage, interface
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This paper is focused on the rolling finite element simulation and experimental study of 20CrNiMo/Incoloy 825 composite materials. Firstly, single-pass rolling finite element simulations of the composite materials were conducted. The effects of rolling pass reduction and rolling speed on the warpage, interface strain difference, and stress of the 20CrNiMo/Incoloy 825 composite materials were evaluated, highlighting an ideal first-pass reduction of 30% and a rolling speed of 0.117 m/s. Based on these results, rolling finite element simulations under total reduction–pass conditions of 65%–3 passes, 75%–4 passes, and 85%–5 passes were conducted on 20CrNiMo/Incoloy 825 composite materials. The rolling process was found to be optimal for a total reduction of 85%–5 passes based on the ratio of the vertical compressive stress experienced by the Incoloy 825-side metal to the yield strength of Incoloy 825 at 1150 °C. Based on the results of single- and multi-pass finite element simulation experiments, microstructural observations and interface analyses were then conducted on the 20CrNiMo/Incoloy 825 composite materials after rolling. The bonding interface of the composite materials was found to be undulating, indicating good composite effects. In addition, Cr, Ni, and Fe at the interface of the composite materials exhibited a steep gradient of change, indicating trace element diffusion with a distance of 8.27 μm in the 20CrNiMo/Incoloy 825 composite materials. Finally, the interfacial bonding mechanism of the 20CrNiMo/Incoloy 825 composite materials was studied, and the results indicate that this mechanism is based on a combination of diffusion and recrystallization bonding mechanisms.
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(This article belongs to the Section Hybrid and Composite Crystalline Materials)
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In Situ Synthesis of NPC-Cu2O/CuO/rGO Composite via Dealloying and Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Technique
by
Mircea Nicolaescu, Sebastian Ambrus, Petru Hididis, Mina Morariu (Popescu), Iosif Hulka, Corina Orha, Carmen Lazau, Cosmin Codrean and Cornelia Bandas
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 968; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110968 - 8 Nov 2024
Abstract
The nanoporous copper (NPC)-copper oxides (Cu2O/CuO)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite structure was synthesized by combining the dealloying process of Cu48Zr47Al5 amorphous ribbons with a microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique at a temperature of 200 °C. The main advantage
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The nanoporous copper (NPC)-copper oxides (Cu2O/CuO)/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite structure was synthesized by combining the dealloying process of Cu48Zr47Al5 amorphous ribbons with a microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique at a temperature of 200 °C. The main advantage of the microwave-assisted hydrothermal process is the oxidation of nanoporous copper together with the in situ reduction of graphene oxide to form rGO. The integration of rGO with NPC improves electrical conductivity and streamlines the process of electron transfer. This composite exhibit considerable potential in electrochemical catalysis application, due to the combined catalytic activity of NPC and the chemical reactivity of rGO. Our study relates the transition to n-type rGO in microwave-assisted hydrothermal reactions, and also the development of an electrode material suitable for electrochemical applications based on the p-p-n junction NPC-Cu2O/CuO/rGO heterostructure. To confirm the formation of the composite structure, structural, morphological, and optical techniques as XRD, SEM/EDX, UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy were used. The composite’s electrochemical properties were measured by EIS and Mott-Schottky analyses, showing a charge transfer resistance (Rp) of 250 Ω and indicating the type of the semiconductor properties. The calculated carrier densities of 4.2 × 1018 cm−3 confirms n-type semiconductor characteristic for rGO, and 7.22 × 1018 cm−3 for Cu2O/CuO indicating p-type characteristic.
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(This article belongs to the Section Hybrid and Composite Crystalline Materials)
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Open AccessArticle
High-Pressure Monosulfide Solid Solution FexNi1−xS Phases: X-Ray Diffraction Analysis and Raman Spectroscopy
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Anna V. Spivak, Ninel Yu. Sharapova, Tatiana V. Setkova, Andrey V. Bobrov, Vitaliy I. Korepanov, Anastasia V. Iskrina, Egor S. Zakharchenko, Mikhail V. Voronin and Natalia A. Drozhzhina
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 967; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110967 - 8 Nov 2024
Abstract
High-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) crystalline monosulfide solid solution (Mss) phases (FexNi1−xS, x = 0.90, 0.75, 0.50, 0.25), troilite (FeS I), and α-NiS of the Fe-Ni-S system were synthesized at 7 GPa and 900–1550 °C. The structural parameters of the obtained
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High-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) crystalline monosulfide solid solution (Mss) phases (FexNi1−xS, x = 0.90, 0.75, 0.50, 0.25), troilite (FeS I), and α-NiS of the Fe-Ni-S system were synthesized at 7 GPa and 900–1550 °C. The structural parameters of the obtained phases were refined by XRD using the Rietveld method. Factor group analysis revealed the number of active Raman modes for FeS I and α-NiS. Raman spectra of troilite, α-NiS, and Mss phases were obtained. It was shown that the Raman spectra of Mss phases and α-NiS have a similar topology. The Raman spectra of the experimental phases in the Fe-Ni-S system were analyzed with non-negative matrix factorization, which provided a meaningful concentration dependence of the spectral patterns. The spectral components were assigned to the FeS I and α-NiS structures. The structural and spectroscopic studies show linear dependencies of unit cell parameters and spectral components on composition and confirm the existence of a series of monosulfide solid solution FexNi1−xS.
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(This article belongs to the Section Mineralogical Crystallography and Biomineralization)
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Open AccessArticle
The Structure and Optical Properties of Luminescent Terbium Terephthalate Metal–Organic Frameworks Doped with Yttrium, Gadolinium, and Lanthanum Ions
by
Anna S. Petrova, Oleg S. Butorlin, Yulia N. Toikka, Ilya E. Kolesnikov, Sergey N. Orlov, Mikhail N. Ryazantsev, Nikita A. Bogachev, Mikhail Yu. Skripkin and Andrey S. Mereshchenko
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 966; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110966 - 8 Nov 2024
Abstract
The structural features and luminescent properties of heterometallic Tb–Gd, Tb–La, and Tb–Y terephthalate metal–organic frameworks, namely (TbxM1−x)2(1,4-bdc)3∙4H2O (M = Gd, La, Y), were studied in detail in a wide concentration range (x =
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The structural features and luminescent properties of heterometallic Tb–Gd, Tb–La, and Tb–Y terephthalate metal–organic frameworks, namely (TbxM1−x)2(1,4-bdc)3∙4H2O (M = Gd, La, Y), were studied in detail in a wide concentration range (x = 0.001–1). The crystalline phase of synthesized compounds corresponds to Ln2(1,4-bdc)3·4H2O. The lifetime of 5D4 decreased with increased Tb3+ concentration, but PLQY depends non-linearly on the Tb3+ concentration. The 50% substitution of Tb3+ for Y3+, Gd3+, or La3+ ions result in the significant enhancement of photoluminescence quantum yield, up to 1.6 times. The morphology, thermal stability, and vibrational structure of the selected homo- and bi-metallic materials is reported as well.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Rare-Earth Metal Compounds)
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Nanoporous Copper Films: How to Grow Porous Films by Magnetron Sputter Deposition
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Michał A. Borysiewicz, Patrycja Barańczyk, Jakub Zawadzki, Marek Wzorek, Rafał Zybała, Beata Synkiewicz-Musialska and Paweł Krzyściak
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110965 - 7 Nov 2024
Abstract
Porous copper films used in current collectors have been shown to improve the stability of Li-ion batteries. They can be applied in Si-based photodiodes, sensors or as microradiators. Their fabrication, however, remains a challenge. In this work, we report on the direct deposition
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Porous copper films used in current collectors have been shown to improve the stability of Li-ion batteries. They can be applied in Si-based photodiodes, sensors or as microradiators. Their fabrication, however, remains a challenge. In this work, we report on the direct deposition of porous copper films using magnetron sputtering in regular chamber geometry. We show how by using appropriate process gases and substrate temperatures, it is possible to control the morphology of the deposited films. In particular, the optimization of the argon to oxygen flow ratios and flow values leads to small porosification of the deposited copper films. Further, heating the substrate during deposition enables the growth of pore sizes into mesoporous and macroporous ranges. This approach is scalable, and since it does not require glancing angle deposition enables the easy coverage of large surfaces with uniformly porous films.
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(This article belongs to the Section Crystalline Metals and Alloys)
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Three-Dimensional Axisymmetric Analysis of Annular One-Dimensional Hexagonal Piezoelectric Quasicrystal Actuator/Sensor with Different Configurations
by
Yang Li and Yang Gao
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110964 - 6 Nov 2024
Abstract
The presented article is about the axisymmetric deformation of an annular one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasicrystal actuator/sensor with different configurations, analyzed by the three-dimensional theory of piezoelectricity coupled with phonon and phason fields. The state space method is utilized to recast the basic equations
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The presented article is about the axisymmetric deformation of an annular one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasicrystal actuator/sensor with different configurations, analyzed by the three-dimensional theory of piezoelectricity coupled with phonon and phason fields. The state space method is utilized to recast the basic equations of one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasicrystals into the transfer matrix form, and the state space equations of a laminated annular piezoelectric quasicrystal actuator/sensor are obtained. By virtue of the finite Hankel transform, the ordinary differential equations with constant coefficients for an annular quasicrystal actuator/sensor with a generalized elastic simple support boundary condition are derived. Subsequently, the propagator matrix method and inverse Hankel transform are used together to achieve the exact axisymmetric solution for the annular one-dimensional hexagonal piezoelectric quasicrystal actuator/sensor. Numerical illustrations are presented to investigate the influences of the thickness-to-span ratio on a single-layer annular piezoelectric quasicrystal actuator/sensor subjected to different top surface loads, and the effect of material parameters is also presented. Afterward, the present model is applied to compare the performance of different piezoelectric quasicrystal actuator/sensor configurations: the quasicrystal multilayer, quasicrystal unimorph, and quasicrystal bimorph.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structures, Properties and Applications of Quasicrystals)
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Liquid Crystal Ordering in Densely Packed Colloidal Suspensions of Highly Anisotropic Monolayer Nanosheets
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Yue Shi, Min Shuai, Yongqiang Shen, Dong Chen, Joseph E. Maclennan, Zhengdong Cheng and Noel A. Clark
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 963; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110963 - 6 Nov 2024
Abstract
Monolayer nanosheets of zirconium phosphate in aqueous suspension exhibit short-range repulsion and long-range attraction, producing, at overall volume fractions larger than about half a percent, phase separation into higher-concentration liquid crystal and lower-concentration isotropic regions. At high concentrations, this phase separation takes the
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Monolayer nanosheets of zirconium phosphate in aqueous suspension exhibit short-range repulsion and long-range attraction, producing, at overall volume fractions larger than about half a percent, phase separation into higher-concentration liquid crystal and lower-concentration isotropic regions. At high concentrations, this phase separation takes the form of an emulsion of condensed, liquid-crystalline droplets, which anneal to form lens-shaped tactoids. These tactoids provide an opportunity to study the liquid crystal ordering of inorganic nanosheets in the limit of large shape anisotropy (diameter/thickness~400) and high packing fraction (volume fraction 70%). The internal liquid crystal structure of the tactoids remains nematic even under conditions that would usually favor ordering into lamellar smectics. Local lamellar ordering is suggested by short-range, smectic-like layer correlations, but a full transition into a smectic phase appears to be inhibited by the nanosheet edges, which act as a perturbative population of dislocation loops in the system of layers. Under conditions of thermal equilibrium, the nanoplates organize positionally to enable bend deformation of the director, a hallmark of the nematic phase and its principal distinction from the smectic, where bend must be expelled.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Thermochromic Liquid Crystals and Functional Colour-Changing Materials)
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Effect of Molybdenum Concentration and Deposition Temperature on the Structure and Tribological Properties of the Diamond-like Carbon Films
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Hassan Zhairabany, Hesam Khaksar, Edgars Vanags and Liutauras Marcinauskas
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 962; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110962 - 5 Nov 2024
Abstract
Two series of non-hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) films and molybdenum doped diamond-like carbon (Mo-DLC) films were grown on the silicon substrate using direct current magnetron sputtering. The influence of molybdenum doping (between 6.3 and 11.9 at.% of Mo), as well as the deposited
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Two series of non-hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) films and molybdenum doped diamond-like carbon (Mo-DLC) films were grown on the silicon substrate using direct current magnetron sputtering. The influence of molybdenum doping (between 6.3 and 11.9 at.% of Mo), as well as the deposited temperature (between 185 and 235 °C) on the surface morphology, elemental composition, bonding microstructure, friction force, and nanohardness of the films, were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman spectroscopy, and a nanoindenter. It was found that the increase in the metal dopant concentration led to a higher metallicity and graphitization of the DLC films. The surface roughness and sp3/sp2 ratio were obtained as a function of the Mo concentration and formation temperature. The nanohardness of DLC films was improved by up to 75% with the addition of Mo. Meanwhile, the reduction in the deposition temperature decreased the nanohardness of the DLC films. The friction coefficient of the DLC films was slightly reduced with addition of the molybdenum.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Characterization of Optoelectronic Functional Films)
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Exploring Multi-Parameter Effects on Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis by SAXS Analysis
by
Marco Eigenfeld, Marco Reindl, Xiao Sun and Sebastian P. Schwaminger
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110961 - 4 Nov 2024
Abstract
Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) are extensively used in biomedical applications due to their unique magnetic properties. This study optimized ION synthesis via the co-precipitation method, exploring the impact of the reactant concentrations (Fe(II) and Fe(III)), NaOH concentration, temperature (30 °C–80 °C), stirring speed
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Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) are extensively used in biomedical applications due to their unique magnetic properties. This study optimized ION synthesis via the co-precipitation method, exploring the impact of the reactant concentrations (Fe(II) and Fe(III)), NaOH concentration, temperature (30 °C–80 °C), stirring speed (0–1000 rpm), and dosing rate (10–600 s) on particle size and growth. Using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), we observed, for example, that higher temperatures (e.g., 67 °C compared with 53 °C) led to a 50% increase in particle size, while the stirring speed and NaOH concentration also influenced nucleation and aggregation. These results provide comprehensive insights into optimizing synthetic conditions for targeted applications in biomedical fields, such as drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where precise control over nanoparticle size and properties is crucial.
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(This article belongs to the Section Inorganic Crystalline Materials)
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Assessment of Classical Force-Fields for Graphene Mechanics
by
Zhiwei Ma, Yongkang Tan, Xintian Cai, Xue Chen, Tan Shi, Jianfeng Jin, Yifang Ouyang and Qing Peng
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110960 - 2 Nov 2024
Abstract
The unique properties of graphene have attracted the interest of researchers from various fields, and the discovery of graphene has sparked a revolution in materials science, specifically in the field of two-dimensional materials. However, graphene synthesis’s costly and complex process significantly impairs researchers’
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The unique properties of graphene have attracted the interest of researchers from various fields, and the discovery of graphene has sparked a revolution in materials science, specifically in the field of two-dimensional materials. However, graphene synthesis’s costly and complex process significantly impairs researchers’ endeavors to explore its properties and structure experimentally. Molecular dynamics simulation is a well-established and useful tool for investigating graphene’s atomic structure and dynamic behavior at the nanoscale without requiring expensive and complex experiments. The accuracy of the molecular dynamics simulation depends on the potential functions. This work assesses the performance of various potential functions available for graphene in mechanical properties prediction. The following two cases are considered: pristine graphene and pre-cracked graphene. The most popular fifteen potentials have been assessed. Our results suggest that diverse potentials are suitable for various applications. REBO and Tersoff potentials are the best for simulating monolayer pristine graphene, and the MEAM and the AIREBO-m potentials are recommended for those with crack defects because of their respective utilization of the electron density and inclusion of the long-range interaction. We recommend the AIREBO-m potential for a general case of classical molecular dynamics study. This work might help to guide the selection of potentials for graphene simulations and the development of further advanced interatomic potentials.
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(This article belongs to the Section Inorganic Crystalline Materials)
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Complex Coacervates: From Polyelectrolyte Solutions to Multifunctional Hydrogels for Bioinspired Crystallization
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Dominik Gruber, Cristina Ruiz-Agudo, Ashit Rao, Simon Pasler, Helmut Cölfen and Elena V. Sturm
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110959 - 2 Nov 2024
Abstract
Hydrogels represent multifarious functional materials due to their diverse ranges of applicability and physicochemical properties. The complex coacervation of polyacrylate and calcium ions or polyamines with phosphates has been uncovered to be a fascinating approach to synthesizing of multifunctional physically crosslinked hydrogels. To
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Hydrogels represent multifarious functional materials due to their diverse ranges of applicability and physicochemical properties. The complex coacervation of polyacrylate and calcium ions or polyamines with phosphates has been uncovered to be a fascinating approach to synthesizing of multifunctional physically crosslinked hydrogels. To obtain this wide range of properties, the synthesis pathway is of great importance. For this purpose, we investigated the entire mechanism of calcium/polyacrylate, as well as phosphate/polyamine coacervation, starting from early dynamic ion complexation by the polymers, through the determination of the phase boundary and droplet formation, up to the growth and formation of thermodynamically stable macroscopic coacervate hydrogels. By varying the synthesis procedure, injectable hydrogels, as well as plastic coacervates, are presented, which cover a viscosity range of three orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the high calcium content of the calcium/polyacrylate coacervate (~19 wt.%) enables the usage of those coacervates as an ions reservoir for the formation of amorphous and crystalline calcium-containing salts like calcium carbonates and calcium phosphates. The exceptional properties of the coacervates obtained here, such as thermodynamic stability, viscosity/plasticity, resistance to acids, and adhesive strength, combined with the straightforward synthesis and the character of an ions reservoir, open a promising field of bioinspired composite materials for osteology and dentistry.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Topic Collection: Mineralogical Crystallography)
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Open AccessEditorial
Progress in the Applications of Photovoltaic Functional Crystals and Ceramics
by
Linghang Wang and Gang Xu
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110958 - 1 Nov 2024
Abstract
With the progression of mankind and the development of technology, great strides have been made regarding the application of inorganic crystalline materials in a number of fields such as high-energy and nuclear physics, environmental and safety inspection, the optoelectronics and communication fields, energy,
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With the progression of mankind and the development of technology, great strides have been made regarding the application of inorganic crystalline materials in a number of fields such as high-energy and nuclear physics, environmental and safety inspection, the optoelectronics and communication fields, energy, and aerospace engineering, particularly the industrialization of photovoltaic and detector materials, which has brought mankind’s knowledge of natural disciplines to an all-time high [...]
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Photovoltaic Functional Crystals and Ceramics)
Open AccessArticle
Design and Application of a Lightweight Plate-Type Acoustic Metamaterial for Vehicle Interior Low-Frequency Noise Reduction
by
Yudong Wu, Wang Yan, Guang Wen, Yanyong He, Shiqi Deng and Weiping Ding
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110957 - 31 Oct 2024
Abstract
To reduce the low-frequency noise inside automobiles, a lightweight plate-type locally resonant acoustic metamaterial (LRAM) is proposed. The design method for the low-frequency bending wave bandgap of the LRAM panel was derived. Prototype LRAM panels were fabricated and tested, and the effectiveness of
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To reduce the low-frequency noise inside automobiles, a lightweight plate-type locally resonant acoustic metamaterial (LRAM) is proposed. The design method for the low-frequency bending wave bandgap of the LRAM panel was derived. Prototype LRAM panels were fabricated and tested, and the effectiveness of the bandgap design was verified by measuring the vibration transmission characteristics of the steel panels with the installed LRAM. Based on the bandgap design method, the influence of geometric and material parameters on the bandgap of the LRAM panel was investigated. The LRAM panel was installed on the inner side of the tailgate of a traditional SUV, which effectively reduced the low-frequency noise (around 34 Hz) during acceleration and constant-speed driving, improving the subjective perception of the low-frequency noise from “very unsatisfactory” to “basically satisfactory”. Furthermore, the noise reduction performance of the LRAM panel was compared with that of traditional damping panels. It was found that, with a similar installation area and lighter weight than the traditional damping panels, the LRAM panel still achieved significantly better low-frequency noise reduction, exhibiting the advantages of lightweight, superior low-frequency performance, designable bandgap and shape, and high environmental reliability, which suggests its great potential for low-frequency noise reduction in vehicles.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Applications of Acoustic Metamaterials)
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Influence of Ionic Liquids on the Functionality of Optoelectronic Devices Employing CsPbBr3 Single Crystals
by
Faisal Alresheedi
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110956 - 31 Oct 2024
Abstract
Regulating the nucleation temperature and growth rates during inverse temperature crystallization (ITC) is vital for obtaining high-quality perovskite single crystals via this technique. Precise control over these parameters enables growing crystals optimized for various optoelectronic devices. In this study, it is demonstrated that
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Regulating the nucleation temperature and growth rates during inverse temperature crystallization (ITC) is vital for obtaining high-quality perovskite single crystals via this technique. Precise control over these parameters enables growing crystals optimized for various optoelectronic devices. In this study, it is demonstrated that incorporating a 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (BMIB) ionic liquid into the precursor solution of cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr3) brings about a dual enhancement effect. This includes a reduction in nucleation temperature from 85 °C to 65 °C and a significant improvement in both optoelectronic characteristics and crystal properties. The CsPbBr3 single crystals grown using ITC with BMIB added (method (2)) demonstrate improved chemical and physical properties (crystallinity, lattice strain, nonradioactive recombination, and trap density) compared to CsPbBr3 single crystals produced through conventional 85 °C ITC alone (method (1)). The exceptional quality of CsPbBr3 single crystals produced with the inclusion of BMIB allowed for the development of a highly responsive optoelectronic device, demonstrating heightened sensitivity to green light. The findings of this investigation reveal that the growth of perovskite single crystals assisted by ionic liquid exerts a substantial impact on the characteristics of the crystals. This influence proves advantageous for the development of optoelectronic devices based on single crystals.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crystal Structures and Applications of Perovskite Halides in Solar Cells)
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Crystallographic Orientation of Grains Formed in the Laser Melt-Pool of (CoCuFeZr)17Sm2 Anisotropic Permanent Magnets
by
Felix Trauter, Ralf Loeffler, Gerhard Schneider and Dagmar Goll
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 955; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110955 - 31 Oct 2024
Abstract
Textured microstructures and anisotropic properties are key factors for the optimization of magnetic materials. Only for high texture grades can the remanence Jr and the maximum energy product (BH)max be maximized. In additive manufacturing such as laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB),
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Textured microstructures and anisotropic properties are key factors for the optimization of magnetic materials. Only for high texture grades can the remanence Jr and the maximum energy product (BH)max be maximized. In additive manufacturing such as laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB), methods to achieve texture have to be developed. In this work, anisotropic (CoCuFeZr)17Sm2 sintered magnets have been used as a substrate in experiments featuring single laser tracks to study the relationships between crystallographic orientation of the substrate grains and crystallographic orientation of grain growth in the melt-pool. The <0001> crystal direction (c-axis) of the substrate has been systematically varied with respect to the orientation of the laser scan track on the specimen surface. Crystallographic orientations of the melt-pool and the substrate have been analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). It is found that if the c-axis is oriented perpendicular to the temperature gradient in the melt-pool, grains grow with orientation similar to that of the substrate grain. If the c-axis and the temperature gradient are oriented in the same direction, the grains grow with high misorientation to the substrate. The highest anisotropy in the melt-pool is achieved when the substrate’s c-axis is oriented along the laser scan track. Under these conditions, 98.7% of the melt-pool area shows a misorientation <45° compared to the substrate orientation. The texture grade of the melt-pool area is comparable to that of the substrate magnet, at 91.8% and 92.2%, respectively.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Microstructure and Properties of Metals and Alloys)
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Open AccessCommunication
Empirical Analysis of Stability of An+1BnO3n+1 Ruddlesden–Popper Phases Using Reciprocal n-Values
by
Sergei Vereshchagin and Vyacheslav Dudnikov
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110954 - 31 Oct 2024
Abstract
Layered An+1BnO3n+1 (n = 1…∞) Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) phases are a promising system for a variety of applications. Within the RP family, the thermodynamic properties of the phases are essentially additive with variation in the n value, but
[...] Read more.
Layered An+1BnO3n+1 (n = 1…∞) Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) phases are a promising system for a variety of applications. Within the RP family, the thermodynamic properties of the phases are essentially additive with variation in the n value, but at present, there are no general approaches that would allow one to evaluate the individual stability of the RP phases and the possibility of their interconversion. The aim of this paper is to present a novel concept for performing a thermodynamic analysis of RP phases using the reciprocal values of the index n. We present an empirical equation ΔG1/n = ΔGP + B1/n + B2/n2, where ΔG1/n and ΔGP are the molar Gibbs energies of formation of the Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) phase (AO)1/nABO3 and the parent ABO3 perovskite, respectively, and n is a stoichiometry index of An+1BnO3n+1 RP phase. The correlation was validated using available thermodynamic data for the systems Sr-Ti-O, Ca-Ti-O, Sr-Zr-O, La-Ni-O, and La-Co-O. For all A-B combinations, the equation quantitatively describes the Gibbs energy of RP phase formation. Predicted values for the non-linear approximation lie within the experimental uncertainty in determining ΔG1/n. The proposed correlation was used to analyze the relative stability of the RP phases and to determine the feasibility of synthesizing new compounds.
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(This article belongs to the Section Materials for Energy Applications)
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Open AccessArticle
Self-Organization of Micro- and Nanosystems in the Form of Patterns
by
Vyacheslav Perekrestov, Anna Kornyushchenko, Yuliia Kosminska, Maksym Kubakh and Gerhard Wilde
Crystals 2024, 14(11), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14110953 - 31 Oct 2024
Abstract
In this work, the peculiarities of self-organization of patterned micro- and nanosystems under near-equilibrium condensation conditions were consistently considered. The criteria for stationarity of near-equilibrium condensation were introduced, and interrelations between the condensate local growth kinetics and the corresponding local technological parameters were
[...] Read more.
In this work, the peculiarities of self-organization of patterned micro- and nanosystems under near-equilibrium condensation conditions were consistently considered. The criteria for stationarity of near-equilibrium condensation were introduced, and interrelations between the condensate local growth kinetics and the corresponding local technological parameters were described. Dissipative self-organization of small supersaturations in physically and chemically active medium-condensate systems were compared. The effectiveness of the unification of dissipative self-organization of small supersaturations and conservative self-organization of patterned micro- and nanosystems formation was shown, which forms the basis of a new concept of complete self-organized systems.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Inorganic Crystalline Materials)
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