0000000001077887
AUTHOR
Gonzalo Abellán Sáez
Controlling the formation of sodium/black phosphorus intercalated compounds towards high sodium content
The solid-state synthesis of pure sodium-black phosphorus intercalation compounds (Na-BPICs) has been optimized in bulk for two stoichiometric ratios. Specifically, in-situ X-Ray diffraction (XRD) allowed the precise identification of the optimal temperature range for the formation of Na-BPICs: 94 °C–96 °C. Moreover, as the undesired formation of Na3P takes place at this very same range, we succeeded in introducing a new synthetic route based on a fast-thermal ball milling implementation that results in the bulk production of BPIC without Na3P in 9 out of 10 cases. Finally, by combining XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and DFT calculations we developed a new structural model for Na-based BPICs show…
Hybrid magnetic materials based on layered double hydroxides: from the chemistry towards the applications
Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are the leitmotiv of this dissertation. Contradicting the assertion that “any past was better”, LDHs have been continuously revisited from the middle of the twentieth century, and represent an excellent example of the never-ending beauty of Chemistry. New synthetic perspectives are giving a new impetus to LDH chemistry, which among hybrid materials, are finding their heyday. This is resulting in novel materials and also paving the way for new fundamental and practical insights. This dissertation is focused on magnetic LDHs, and for the sake of clarity it is organized in three main parts: we will move from basic synthetic and physical aspects of LDHs, through…
Cover Feature: Boosting the Supercapacitive Behavior of CoAl Layered Double Hydroxides via Tuning the Metal Composition and Interlayer Space
The Cover Feature illustrates the improvement in the supercapacitive performance of CoAl layered double hydroxides (LDHs) after enlarging their interlayer space with anionic surfactants. This enhancement in the energy storage is ascribed to the increase in the electrochemical surface area (ECSA), the higher electrolyte diffusion, and the partial aluminum dissolution. PNICTOCHEM 804110 (G.A.) CIDEGENT/2018/001 Portada de revista, actividad de difusión.
Cover Picture. Energy Storage: Giant Enhancement in the Supercapacitance of NiFe-Graphene Nanocomposites Induced by a Magnetic Field (Adv. Mater. 28/2019)
The application of external magnetic fields to NiFe–graphene nanocomposites during the galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles induces a dramatic metal phase segregation, forming nanometric metal clusters of Ni with an outstanding electrochemical activity. This metal segregation leads to an enhancement in the capacitance of the nanocomposite, as described by Gonzalo Abellán, Eugenio Coronado, and co-workers in article number 1900189. PNICTOCHEM 804110 (G.A.) CIDEGENT/2018/001
Cover Feature: Few‐layer Black Phosphorous Catalyzes Radical Additions to Alkenes Faster than Low‐valence Metals
The Cover Feature shows how phosphorene can catalyse different radical additions to alkenes. These catalysts have an initial turnover frequency up to two orders of magnitude higher than representative state–of–the–art metal complex catalysts at room temperature. In their Full Paper, M. Tejeda-Serrano et al. describe how the electron–richness of the 2D material, either phosphorene or graphene, parallels the catalytic activity of different low-valence iron compounds as metal catalysts. These results showcase the advantages of substituting metals by p–block main-group elements not only because of their positive economic and ecological fingerprint, but also because of their higher catalytic eff…
Inside Back Cover: Rational Chemical Multifunctionalization of Graphene Interface Enhances Targeted Cancer Therapy
A multifunctional graphene conjugate was designed for cancer treatment, as reported by E. Miyako, A. Bianco, and co-workers in their Communication on page 14034. The image depicts the three regalia–crown, orb, and sword–representing triply chemically modified graphene as the strongest approach for cancer therapy. PNICTOCHEM 804110 (G.A.) PID2019-111742-GA-I00 CIDEGENT/2018/001 A multifunctional graphene conjugate was designed for cancer treatment, as reported by E. Miyako, A. Bianco, and co-workers in their Communication on page 14034. The image depicts the three regalia–crown, orb, and sword–representing triply chemically modified graphene as the strongest approach for cancer therapy. Es u…