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Water-Stable Carborane-Based Eu3+/Tb3+ Metal–Organic Frameworks for Tunable Time-Dependent Emission Color and Their Application in Anticounterfeiting Bar-Coding

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Título : Water-Stable Carborane-Based Eu3+/Tb3+ Metal–Organic Frameworks for Tunable Time-Dependent Emission Color and Their Application in Anticounterfeiting Bar-Coding
Autores: Zhen LiZhen Li, Rosario Núñez, Mark E. Light, Eliseo Ruiz, Francesc Teixidor, Clara Viñas, Daniel Ruiz-Molina, Claudio Roscini*, and José Giner Planas*
Citation and DOI:
Chem. Mater. 2022, 34, 10, 4795–4808
Publication Date:April 29, 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.2c00323
PlumX: Water-Stable Carborane-Based Eu3+/Tb3+ Metal–Organic Frameworks for Tunable Time-Dependent Emission Color and Their Application in Anticounterfeiting Bar-Coding
Luminescent lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) have been shown to exhibit relevant optical properties of interest for practical applications, though their implementation still remains a challenge. To be suitable for practical applications, Ln-MOFs must be not only water stable but also printable, easy to prepare, and produced in high yields. Herein, we design and synthesize a series of mCB-EuyTb1–y (y = 0–1) MOFs using a highly hydrophobic ligand mCBL1: 1,7-di(4-carboxyphenyl)-1,7-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane. The new materials are stable in water and at high temperature.

Biomaterials

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Identifying structure–absorption relationships and predicting absorption strength of non-fullerene acceptors for organic photovoltaics

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Título : Identifying structure–absorption relationships and predicting absorption strength of non-fullerene acceptors for organic photovoltaics
Autores: Jun Yan, Xabier Rodríguez-Martínez, Drew Pearce, Hana Douglas, Danai Bili, Mohammed Azzouzi, Flurin Eisner, Alise Virbule, Elham Rezasoltani, Valentina Belova, Bernhard Dörling, Sheridan Few, Anna A. Szumska, Xueyan Hou, Guichuan Zhang, Hin-Lap Yip, Mariano Campoy-Quiles* and Jenny Nelson*
Citation and DOI: Energy Environ. Sci., 2022, Advance Article
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EE00887D
PlumX: Identifying structure–absorption relationships and predicting absorption strength of non-fullerene acceptors for organic photovoltaics
Non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) are excellent light harvesters, yet the origin of their high optical extinction is not well understood. In this work, we investigate the absorption strength of NFAs by building a database of time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations of ∼500 π-conjugated molecules. The calculations are first validated by comparison with experimental measurements in solution and solid state using common fullerene and non-fullerene acceptors. We find that the molar extinction coefficient (εd,max) shows reasonable agreement between calculation in vacuum and experiment for molecules in solution, highlighting the effectiveness of TDDFT for predicting optical properties of organic π-conjugated molecules.

Energy

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Congratulations Dr. Martí Gibert, new ICMAB Graduate!

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Date: 2022-06-15

Doctor Martí Gibert, from the NANOPTO Group at ICMAB-CSIC, defended his PhD thesis titled "On Improving the Efficiency of Organic Photovoltaic Devices: Novel Strategies" on Wednesday, 15 June 2022. Congrats!

PhD Congrats

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You can now vote for the best FOTICMAB 2022 photo!

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Date: 2022-06-26
The voting is now open, and until Sunday 26 June at midnight. Vote so that the best photos can win!
 
Our photo and video contest FOTICMAB continues to strike back! The contest was open for all ICMAB members, from 13 May to 19 June 2022. And now it's time to vote, until the 26 June! 
 
This year we have three categories, and we have participants from each one:
 
  • SCIENTIFIC: 20 photos
  • ARTISTIC: 28 photos
  • FAUNA AND FLORA: 34 photos
Some of them are amazing! Thank you for participating with such nice pictures! 

Breaking News

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Water soluble organometallic small molecules as promising antibacterial agents: synthesis, physical–chemical properties and biological evaluation to tackle bacterial infections

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Título : Water soluble organometallic small molecules as promising antibacterial agents: synthesis, physical–chemical properties and biological evaluation to tackle bacterial infections
Autores: Ines Bennour, M. Núria Ramos, Miquel Nuez-Martínez, Jewel Ann Maria Xavier, Ana B. Buades, Reijo Sillanpää, Francesc Teixidor, Duane Choquesillo-Lazarte, Isabel Romero, Margarita Martinez-Medinad and Clara Viñas
Citation and DOI: Dalton Trans., 2022,51, 7188-7209
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2DT01015A
PlumX: Water soluble organometallic small molecules as promising antibacterial agents: synthesis, physical–chemical properties and biological evaluation to tackle bacterial infections
The Na[3,3′-Fe(8-I-1,2-C2B9H10)2] and Na[2,2′-M(1,7-C2B9H11)] (M = Co3+, Fe3+) small molecules are synthesized and the X-ray structures of [(H3O)(H2O)5][2,2′-Co(1,7-C2B9H11)2] and [Cs(MeCN)][8,8′-I2-Fe(1,2 C2B9H10)2], both displaying a transoid conformation of the [M(C2B9)2]− framework, are reported. Importantly, the supramolecular structure of [(H3O)(H2O)5][2,2′-Co(1,7-C2B9H11)2] presents 2D layers leading to a lamellar arrangement of the anions while the cation layers form polymeric water rings made of six- and four-membered rings of water molecules connected via OH⋯H hydrogen bonds; B–H⋯O contacts connect the cationic and anionic layers.

Biomaterials

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Matching electron transport layers with a non-halogenated and low synthetic complexity polymer:fullerene blend for efficient outdoor and indoor organic photovoltaics

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Título : Matching electron transport layers with a non-halogenated and low synthetic complexity polymer:fullerene blend for efficient outdoor and indoor organic photovoltaics
Autores: Xabier Rodríguez-Martínez, Sergi Riera-Galindo, * Jiayan Cong, Thomas Österberg, Mariano Campoy-Quiles and Olle Inganäsa
Citation and DOI: J. Mater. Chem. A, 2022,10, 10768-10779
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2TA01205G
PlumX: Matching electron transport layers with a non-halogenated and low synthetic complexity polymer:fullerene blend for efficient outdoor and indoor organic photovoltaics
The desired attributes of organic photovoltaics (OPV) as a low cost and sustainable energy harvesting technology demand the use of non-halogenated solvent processing for the photoactive layer (PAL) materials, preferably of low synthetic complexity (SC) and without compromising the power conversion efficiency (PCE). Despite their record PCEs, most donor–acceptor conjugated copolymers in combination with non-fullerene acceptors are still far from upscaling due to their high cost and SC. Here we present a non-halogenated and low SC ink formulation for the PAL of organic solar cells, comprising PTQ10 and PC61BM as donor and acceptor materials, respectively, showing a record PCE of 7.5% in blade coated devices under 1 sun, and 19.9% under indoor LED conditions.

Energy

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Phonon transport in the gigahertz to terahertz range: Confinement, topology, and second sound

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Título : Phonon transport in the gigahertz to terahertz range: Confinement, topology, and second sound
Autores: Thomas Vasileiadis, Juan Sebastian Reparaz, and Bartlomiej Graczykowski
Citation and DOI: Journal of Applied Physics 131, 180901 (2022)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0073508
PlumX: Phonon transport in the gigahertz to terahertz range: Confinement, topology, and second sound

Transport of heat and hypersound with gigahertz (GHz) to terahertz (THz) phonons is crucial for heat management in electronics, mediating signal processing with microwave radiation, thermoelectrics, and various types of sensors based on nanomechanical resonators. Efficient control of heat and sound transport requires new materials, novel experimental techniques, and a detailed knowledge of the interaction of phonons with other elementary excitations.

Energy

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Curved Magnetism in CrI3

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Título : Curved Magnetism in CrI3
Autores: Alexander Edström, Danila Amoroso, Silvia Picozzi, Paolo Barone, and Massimiliano Stengel
Citation and DOI: Phys. Rev. Lett. 128, 177202 – Published 28 April 2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.128.177202
PlumX: Curved Magnetism in CrI3
Curved magnets attract considerable interest for their unusually rich phase diagram, often encompassing exotic (e.g., topological or chiral) spin states. Micromagnetic simulations are playing a central role in the theoretical understanding of such phenomena; their predictive power, however, rests on the availability of reliable model parameters to describe a given material or nanostructure. Here we demonstrate how noncollinear-spin polarized density-functional theory can be used to determine the flexomagnetic coupling coefficients in real systems.

Energy

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Aromaticity and Extrusion of Benzenoids Linked to [o-COSAN]−: Clar Has the Answer

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Título : Aromaticity and Extrusion of Benzenoids Linked to [o-COSAN]−: Clar Has the Answer
Autores: Prof. Dr. Jordi Poater, Prof. Dr. Clara Viñas, Dr. David Olid, Prof. Dr. Miquel Solà, Prof. Dr. Francesc Teixidor
Citation and DOI:

Angew. Chem.Int. Ed. 2022, 61, e202200672
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202200672
PlumX: Aromaticity and Extrusion of Benzenoids Linked to [o-COSAN]−: Clar Has the Answer

Clar has the answer! Clar's π-sextets justify the reason why the linked system of [o-COSAN]− and benzenoid drives to extrusion in the case of naphthalene or anthracene, but not for benzene, pyrene or perylene. Benzene and pyrene can be synthetically linked to [o-COSAN]− keeping their aromaticity. In contrast, naphthalene and anthracene are extruded in the same reaction. We have proven that extrusion is only favorable if the number of Clar's π-sextets remains constant. Thus, Clar has the answer to whether an attached polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon to [o-COSAN]− is extruded or not.

Biomaterials

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Welcome Nataša Tomic at ICMAB!

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Nombre y apellidos: Nataša Tomic
Hello everyone, my name is Nataša. I finished PhD in Physical Chemistry (Belgrade, Serbia). I came to stay at ICMAB for more than 1 month time through COST action OPERA. I am happy to meet new people, to upgrade my knowledge and to be in collaborative environment. Hope to have nice experience!

Serbia

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Adrián Tamayo holding his PhD

Congratulations Dr. Adrián Tamayo, new ICMAB Graduate

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Date: 2022-06-03

Doctor Adrián Tamayo, from the eMolMat Group at ICMAB-CSIC, defended his PhD thesis titled "Printing of organic semiconductors: morphology, crystal structure and interfaces" on Friday, 3 June 2022. Congrats!

PhD Congrats

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Exploring the impact of the recombinant Escherichia coli strain on defensins antimicrobial activity: BL21 versus Origami strain

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Título : Exploring the impact of the recombinant Escherichia coli strain on defensins antimicrobial activity: BL21 versus Origami strain
Autores: Adrià López-Cano, Marc Martínez-Miguel, Judith Guasch, Imma Ratera, Anna Arís & Elena Garcia-Fruitós
Citation and DOI: Microb Cell Fact 21, 77 (2022).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-022-01803-7
PlumX: Exploring the impact of the recombinant Escherichia coli strain on defensins antimicrobial activity: BL21 versus Origami strain
The growing emergence of microorganisms resistant to antibiotics has prompted the development of alternative antimicrobial therapies. Among them, the antimicrobial peptides produced by innate immunity, which are also known as host defense peptides (HDPs), hold great potential. They have been shown to exert activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including those resistant to antibiotics. These HDPs are classified into three categories: defensins, cathelicidins, and histatins. Traditionally, HDPs have been chemically synthesized, but this strategy often limits their application due to the high associated production costs.

Biomaterials

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Artur Romanov holding his thesis.

Congratulations Dr. Artur Romanov, new ICMAB Graduate

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Date: 2022-05-27

Doctor Artur Romanov, from the SUMAN Group at ICMAB, defended his PhD thesis titled "Superconducting Coated Conductors for Proton Beam Screens in High-Energy Particle Accelerators" on Thursday, 19 May 2022. Congrats!

PhD Congrats

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Defining inkjet printing conditions of superconducting cuprate films through machine learning

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Título : Defining inkjet printing conditions of superconducting cuprate films through machine learning
Autores: Albert Queraltó, * Adrià Pacheco, Nerea Jiménez, Susagna Ricart, Xavier Obradors and Teresa Puig*
Citation and DOI: J. Mater. Chem. C, 2022,10, 6885-6895
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D1TC05913K
PlumX: Defining inkjet printing conditions of superconducting cuprate films through machine learning
The design and optimization of new processing approaches for the development of rare earth cuprate (REBCO) high temperature superconductors is required to increase their cost-effective fabrication and promote market implementation. The exploration of a broad range of parameters enabled by these methods is the ideal scenario for a new set of high-throughput experimentation (HTE) and data-driven tools based on machine learning (ML) algorithms that are envisaged to speed up this optimization in a low-cost and efficient manner compatible with industrialization.

Superconductors

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Welcome Thomas Vassiliades at ICMAB!

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Nombre y apellidos: Thomas Vassiliades
French student from high school of engineering Materials in Nantes. Here for a 3 months internship to validate my school year. I love life in its simplicity.

France

  • Hits: 407

Welcome Bocquin Clément at ICMAB!

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Nombre y apellidos: Bocquin Clément
Hello everyone, my name is Clément. I am at the ICMAB for a 3 months internship.
I like sports and I have been playing rugby for 9 years. I also like to enjoy life and have fun.
See you soon at the ICMAB.

France

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JAE Intro 2022: CSIC Introduction to Research Grants for University Students

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Deadline: 2022-06-23
The CSIC launches the JAE Intro 2022 call "Introduction to Research Fellowships for University Students". This call is open to University students who are willing to begin working in the field of research in Materials Science, Phyiscs, Chemistry, Biology, Biomedicine and related areas in an attractive environment in a CSIC Research Center.

Closed Jobs

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Voltage-driven strain-mediated modulation of exchange bias in Ir20Mn80/Fe80Ga20/Ta/⟨011⟩-oriented PMN-32PT heterostructures

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Título : Voltage-driven strain-mediated modulation of exchange bias in Ir20Mn80/Fe80Ga20/Ta/⟨011⟩-oriented PMN-32PT heterostructures
Autores: E. Demirci, J. de Rojas, A. Quintana, I. Fina, E. Menéndez, and J. Sort
Citation and DOI: Appl. Phys. Lett. 120, 142406 (2022)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0091231
PlumX: Voltage-driven strain-mediated modulation of exchange bias in Ir20Mn80/Fe80Ga20/Ta/⟨011⟩-oriented PMN-32PT heterostructures
Manipulation of exchange bias with electric field is appealing to boost energy efficiency in spintronic devices. Here, this effect is shown at room temperature in Ir20Mn80/Fe80Ga20/Ta layers grown onto ⟨011⟩-oriented PMN-32PT single crystals. After magnetic field-cooling (FC) along the [01-1] and [100] in-plane directions of PMN-32PT and upon allowing the system to relax through consecutive hysteresis loops (training effect), the exchange bias field (HEB) is measured under the action of voltage (out-of-plane poling). Depending on the applied voltage (magnitude and sign), HEB can either increase or decrease with respect to its value at 0 V. The relative variations of HEB are 24% and 5.5% after FC along the [01-1] and [100] directions, respectively.

Oxides

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Riboflavin–citrate conjugate multicore SPIONs with enhanced magnetic responses and cellular uptake in breast cancer cells

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Título : Riboflavin–citrate conjugate multicore SPIONs with enhanced magnetic responses and cellular uptake in breast cancer cells
Autores: Wid Mekseriwattana, Pablo Guardia, Beatriz Torres Herrero, Jesus M. de la Fuente, Chutima Kuhakarn, Anna Roig and Kanlaya Prapainop Katewongsa *
Citation and DOI: Nanoscale Adv., 2022,4, 1988-1998 DOI
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NA00015F
PlumX: Riboflavin–citrate conjugate multicore SPIONs with enhanced magnetic responses and cellular uptake in breast cancer cells
Breast cancer accounts for up to 10% of the newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide, making it the most common cancer found in women. The use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) has been beneficial in the advancement of contrast agents and magnetic hyperthermia (MH) for the diagnosis and treatment of cancers. To achieve delivery of SPIONs to cancer cells, surface functionalization with specific ligands are required. Riboflavin carrier protein (RCP) has been identified as an alternative target for breast cancer cells. Here, we report a novel riboflavin (Rf)-based ligand that provides SPIONs with enhanced colloidal stability and high uptake potential in breast cancer cells.

Biomaterials

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