Thermal energy storage – overview and specific insight into nitrate salts for sensible and latent heat storage

• Nicole Pfleger,
• Thomas Bauer,
• Claudia Martin,
• Markus Eck and
• Antje Wörner

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1487–1497, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.154

• candidates. However experience with oxyanion salts and halogen salts is currently limited to theoretical studies [1][2]. Physico-chemical properties: thermal properties Characterization of thermal energy storage in molten salts requires data of salt properties in the liquid phase. For sensible storage media

• species the salt mixture contains. Therefore the innovative method was developed to find salts with lower melting temperature without the need to fully determine phase diagrams. The method is based on liquid phase formation which is known from several processes: Eutectic bonding is a method to combine

• surfaces by eutectic alloy formation which occurs upon heating above the eutectic temperature. Similarly liquid phase sintering (LPS) is used in the field of high-temperature ceramics and metals. The innovative salt synthesis approach described in this section utilizes the liquid phase formation at the

The Kirkendall effect and nanoscience: hollow nanospheres and nanotubes

• Abdel-Aziz El Mel,
• Ryusuke Nakamura and
• Carla Bittencourt

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1348–1361, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.139

• to the interplay between the surface tension of the metal bismuth present in a liquid phase and the curved inner surface of the oxide shell. It is also believed that the wetting behavior of bismuth on the inner surface of the oxide shell can be influenced by other parameters such as the vapor

Nanomechanical humidity detection through porous alumina cantilevers

• Olga Boytsova,
• Alexey Klimenko,
• Vasiliy Lebedev,
• Alexey Lukashin and
• Andrey Eliseev

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 1332–1337, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.137

• specific mechanical response. To predict the behavior of the cantilever in the gas/liquid phase we investigated alterations of the amplitude–frequency characteristics when changing pressure and humidity. The frequency response of elastic beam is strongly dependent on the fluid it is vibrating in [2]. In

Nanostructuring of GeTiO amorphous films by pulsed laser irradiation

• Valentin S. Teodorescu,
• Cornel Ghica,
• Adrian V. Maraloiu,
• Mihai Vlaicu,
• Andrei Kuncser,
• Magdalena L. Ciurea,
• Ionel Stavarache,
• Ana M. Lepadatu,
• Nicu D. Scarisoreanu,
• Andreea Andrei,
• Valentin Ion and
• Maria Dinescu

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 893–900, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.92

• in the solid phase cannot be expected. However, the experimental data show that the diffusion length of Ge atoms is about 10 nm during the laser pulse action, corresponding to a diffusivity in the range of 10−5 to 10−6 m2/s, which is typical for the liquid phase. In the viscous phase the

• diffusivities are much smaller than in the liquid phase as the fraction of the broken bonds in the viscous phase is much smaller than in the liquid phase. The fast diffusion of Ge in the solid matrix was also evidenced in the case of laser irradiation of amorphous SiGe films [18]. The prolonged high-resolution

• transition effect is expected in the amorphous GeTiO film, transforming the matrix in a viscous one. This is supposed to favor the formation of the wave relief at the film surface. We show that the Ge segregation takes place through fast Ge diffusion, at diffusivity values typical for the liquid phase. The

Stiffness of sphere–plate contacts at MHz frequencies: dependence on normal load, oscillation amplitude, and ambient medium

• Jana Vlachová,
• Rebekka König and
• Diethelm Johannsmann

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 845–856, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.87

• bulk modulus in this way stiffens the contact. Again, this effect is genuinely linked to the experiment occurring at MHz frequency. It will be important when applying this methodology to biomaterials (which are usually studied in the liquid phase). The above interpretation clearly is tentative

Entropy effects in the collective dynamic behavior of alkyl monolayers tethered to Si(111)

• Christian Godet

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 583–594, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.60

• response. Here, a mixed alkyl/acid-functionalized monolayer with 5% acid molar fraction (in the liquid phase) was chosen to avoid acid–acid dipole interactions at the OML surface (Figure 1). Using low-doped n-type Si (1–10 Ω·cm) provides strong rectification [27][32][38][39][40] with a very low dc current

• of 52 ± 5 meV for the activation energy of Δε (B2) (Figure 7). This trans–gauche isomerization energy for tethered n-alkyl chains is larger than the value deduced from the density of vibrational states for short n-alkanes in the liquid phase (34 meV) [55][56] and comparable to that of perfluoro-n

• Thermal bath excitations (227 ± 10 cm−1) revealed by dipolar relaxation dynamics can be compared with vibrational energies of n-alkanes, either in the liquid phase or in a two-dimensionally tethered phase. For n-alkanes in the liquid phase, low vibration energies correspond to skeletal deformations, i.e

Nanoparticle shapes by using Wulff constructions and first-principles calculations

• Georgios D. Barmparis,
• Zbigniew Lodziana,
• Nuria Lopez and
• Ioannis N. Remediakis

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2015, 6, 361–368, doi:10.3762/bjnano.6.35

• theorem is a generalization that considers lateral strain [14]. When the material under study is at equilibrium with another gas- or liquid-phase material, the interface tension, , is used in the Wulff construction instead of the surface tension, γhkl. The two are connected by a simple formula that

Intake of silica nanoparticles by giant lipid vesicles: influence of particle size and thermodynamic membrane state

• Florian G. Strobl,
• Florian Seitz,
• Christoph Westerhausen,
• Armin Reller,
• Adriano A. Torrano,
• Christoph Bräuchle,
• Achim Wixforth and
• Matthias F. Schneider

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 2468–2478, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.256

• models and indicate that these models have to be extended in order to capture the interaction between nanomaterials and biological membranes correctly. Keywords: cells; endocytosis; engulfment; fission; gel phase; giant unilamellar lipid vesicles (GUV); lipid membranes; liquid phase; nanoparticle

• from the membrane. The particle uptake induces substantial membrane tension but is not limited by the associated negative area excess of the GUVs. The process occurs for liquid-phase as well as for gel-phase vesicles and small particles are internalized more effectively than large particles. The latter

Liquid-phase exfoliated graphene: functionalization, characterization, and applications

• Mildred Quintana,
• Jesús Iván Tapia and
• Maurizio Prato

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 2328–2338, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.242

• strategies presents advantages and disadvantages depending on the type of application. In this contribution, we summarize some of the chemical procedures used to obtain graphene dispersions for various applications. Special emphasis is placed on the liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite by ultrasonic

• conditions, graphite is exfoliated as high-quality graphene [18]. Ultrasonic techniques A versatile and simple strategy to exfoliate graphite in liquid phase is based on the use of ultrasonic wave treatment. Ultrasound techniques have important applications in a wide range of materials synthesis strategies

Liquid fuel cells

• Grigorii L. Soloveichik

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 1399–1418, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.153

A nanometric cushion for enhancing scratch and wear resistance of hard films

• Katya Gotlib-Vainshtein,
• Olga Girshevitz,
• Chaim N. Sukenik,
• David Barlam and
• Sidney R. Cohen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 1005–1015, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.114

• polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using liquid phase deposition [34][35][36]. In this work, we further apply the technique to polycarbonate (PC) substrates, which are used in the lens industry and carry requirement of scratch/wear resistance. In addition to scratch and wear resistance, we demonstrate that the soft polymer

• overlayer and polymer resulting from the liquid phase deposition procedure ensures the robustness of the film. These effects can be tuned by varying titania thickness while preserving the bulk properties and surface chemical properties. AFM/LFM measurements are powerful tools for determining scratch

Controlling mechanical properties of bio-inspired hydrogels by modulating nano-scale, inter-polymeric junctions

• Seonki Hong,
• Hyukjin Lee and
• Haeshin Lee

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 887–894, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.101

• parameter. A poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) surface was set up at a 45° slope angle, and drops of 6Arm-PEG-NH-catechol (Figure 3d, right) and 6Arm-PEG-catechol (Figure 3d, left) solutions were applied to observe the gelation time. The PEG solution flowed in the liquid phase but stopped in the gel phase

Applicability and costs of nanofiltration in combination with photocatalysis for the treatment of dye house effluents

• Wolfgang M. Samhaber and
• Minh Tan Nguyen

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 476–484, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.55

• can be applied in the pre-treatment prior to the catalytic reactor or in connection with the reactor to separate the liquid phase from the reaction system and to recycle finely suspended catalysts and/or organic compounds. When concerning such reaction systems on a bigger scale, cost figures will

Nanoscale particles in technological processes of beneficiation

• Sergey I. Popel,
• Vitaly V. Adushkin and
• Anatoly P. Golub'

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2014, 5, 458–465, doi:10.3762/bjnano.5.53

• opens up, the pressure decreases, resulting in phase separation of the fluid, which stratifies into an essentially liquid phase and a gas phase existing in the form of gas bubbles. When the fluid goes into the narrowing of the canal cavity, the pressure is reestablished and the bubbles collapse. The

Adsorption of the ionic liquid [BMP][TFSA] on Au(111) and Ag(111): substrate effects on the structure formation investigated by STM

• Benedikt Uhl,
• Florian Buchner,
• Dorothea Alwast,
• Nadja Wagner and
• R. Jürgen Behm

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 903–918, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.102

• islands and a 2D gas/liquid of IL adsorbates. Again those regions, which are apparently free of adsorbate appear with streaky features, which we attribute to highly mobile molecules in a 2D gas/liquid phase, which diffuse to fast to be resolved with STM. Round shaped protrusion in the inner parts of the

• conclusions and adsorption characteristics: 1) Upon adsorption at room temperature, the [BMP][TFSA] adsorbates form a 2D gas/2D liquid phase with highly mobile adsorbed species on the surface. The integrity of the ions is maintained and both ions are in direct contact with the substrate surface. Interaction

Lithium peroxide crystal clusters as a natural growth feature of discharge products in Li–O₂ cells

• Tatiana K. Zakharchenko,
• Anna Y. Kozmenkova,
• Daniil M. Itkis and
• Eugene A. Goodilin

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 758–762, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.86

• oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This feature limits the rechargeability of Li–O2 cells, but at the same time it can be beneficial for both capacity improvement and gain in recharge rate if a proper liquid phase mediator can be found. Keywords: lithium–air batteries; lithium peroxide; oxygen reduction

• films that might allow a faster recharge. This idea becomes highly interesting in view of recent findings of Chen et al. [17] who suggested a liquid phase mediator. Further work on this topic is in progress. (a) Typical SEM image of the pristine porous gold electrodes. (b) Discharge voltage profiles

Site-selective growth of surface-anchored metal-organic frameworks on self-assembled monolayer patterns prepared by AFM nanografting

• Tatjana Ladnorg,
• Alexander Welle,
• Stefan Heißler,
• Christof Wöll and
• Hartmut Gliemann

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 638–648, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.71

• -epitaxial layer-by-layer method (liquid-phase epitaxy, or LPE). The chemical termination of the supporting substrate is crucial, because the most convenient method for substrate modification is the formation of a suitable self-assembled monolayer. The choice of a particular SAM also allows for control over

Large-scale atomistic and quantum-mechanical simulations of a Nafion membrane: Morphology, proton solvation and charge transport

• Pavel V. Komarov,
• Pavel G. Khalatur and
• Alexei R. Khokhlov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 567–587, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.65

Influence of the solvent on the stability of bis(terpyridine) structures on graphite

• Daniela Künzel and
• Axel Groß

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 269–277, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.29

• adsorption of BTP on graphite in the presence of a liquid phase in order to assess the explicit influence of the solvent on the molecular adsorption at the solid/liquid interface. Note that the modeling of a liquid requires the determination of free energies instead of just total energies, which means that

Functionalization of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes

• Eloise Van Hooijdonk,
• Carla Bittencourt,
• Rony Snyders and
• Jean-François Colomer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2013, 4, 129–152, doi:10.3762/bjnano.4.14

• traditional organic electrolytes, they used ionic liquids because of their nonflammability, nonvolatility, nontoxicity, large electrochemical window, and wide liquid-phase range. Practically, VA-CNTs were etched by H2O plasma in order to open the extremities of the nanotubes prior to an electrochemical

Synthesis and electrical characterization of intrinsic and in situ doped Si nanowires using a novel precursor

• Wolfgang Molnar,
• Alois Lugstein,
• Tomasz Wojcik,
• Peter Pongratz,
• Norbert Auner,
• Christian Bauch and
• Emmerich Bertagnolli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 564–569, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.65

• straight, crystalline, nanometre-sized wires. During VLS growth a Si precursor is introduced, which is cracked and dissolved into the catalytic liquid phase. Generally Au is used as the catalyst on Si substrates, forming a liquid alloy with a eutectic temperature of 364 °C, which, upon supersaturation

Mapping mechanical properties of organic thin films by force-modulation microscopy in aqueous media

• Jianming Zhang,
• Zehra Parlak,
• Carleen M. Bowers,
• Terrence Oas and
• Stefan Zauscher

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2012, 3, 464–474, doi:10.3762/bjnano.3.53

• microscopy (AFAM) [31], and contact resonance AFM (CR-AFM) [32][33][34][35], contact resonance frequencies are deliberately chosen to enhance the imaging sensitivity. However, acoustic AFM imaging in solution is challenging since the liquid phase complicates the cantilever dynamics through fluid damping. To

Self-assembled monolayers and titanium dioxide: From surface patterning to potential applications

• Yaron Paz

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 845–861, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.94

• often observed both in the liquid phase and in the gas phase, suggesting, albeit not proving [11][12] the need for adsorption as a prerequisite for photocatalysis. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) being chemisorbed in an ordered manner on surfaces such as metals (Au, Ag), oxides (SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2) and

• methods for growing titanium dioxide particles and films on SAMs: Liquid-phase deposition (LPD), atomic-layer deposition, and sol–gel. Within the context of growing TiO2 on SAMs, the LPD method is probably the most popular. It employs a solution containing TiF62− anions together with boric acid. The

• -productive bias had been measured with a liquid-phase contaminant, one could have claimed that the observed decrease in the rate was due to a significant decrease in the adsorption rate of the target molecule. Here, the fact that the OCTS molecules were chemically and irreversibly attached to the TiO2

Novel acridone-modified MCM-41 type silica: Synthesis, characterization and fluorescence tuning

• Maximilian Hemgesberg,
• Gunder Dörr,
• Yvonne Schmitt,
• Andreas Seifert,
• Zhou Zhou,
• Robin Klupp Taylor,
• Sarah Bay,
• Stefan Ernst,
• Markus Gerhards,
• Thomas J. J. Müller and
• Werner R. Thiel

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 284–292, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.33

• at resonance frequencies of 400 MHz, 101 MHz and 80 MHz for 1H, 13C or 29Si nuclei, respectively. Liquid phase 1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker Spectrospin DPX-400 and Avance 600 devices at resonance frequencies of 400 MHz or 151 MHz for 1H or 13C nuclei, respectively. These spectra are

Schottky junction/ohmic contact behavior of a nanoporous TiO₂ thin film photoanode in contact with redox electrolyte solutions

• Masao Kaneko,
• Hirohito Ueno and
• Junichi Nemoto

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2011, 2, 127–134, doi:10.3762/bjnano.2.15

• electron can migrate towards inside of the semiconductor bulk, thus the hole and the electron are now separated. After such migration of holes and electrons, when an electron donor (such as ethanol) is present in the contacted liquid phase, the holes can oxidize the donor in the liquid, and the electrons

• various electron donors and acceptors and other redox compounds in the liquid phase. Such Schottky junction/ohmic contact characteristics of nanoporous semiconductor thin films could be applied to a variety of photonic and electronic devices in the future. Experimental Materials and electrodes preparation

• ambient air (Figure 1). For Figure 8, the larger size G2 TiO2 was used, and Pt black was deposited electrochemically from K2[PtCl6] on a Pt plate (1 cm × 1 cm) in order to use it as an O2-reduction cathode in the liquid phase. Cell, irradiation, and measurements A cell (1 cm × 1 cm × 3 cm) was designed