José Nuno Almeida, Lu Song, Sohrab Askarli, Sang-Ho Chung, Javier Ruiz-Martínez
{"title":"Cover Picture: Zeolite–Water Chemistry: Characterization Methods to Unveil Zeolite Structure (Chem. Methods 4/2025)","authors":"José Nuno Almeida, Lu Song, Sohrab Askarli, Sang-Ho Chung, Javier Ruiz-Martínez","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202580401","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cmtd.202580401","url":null,"abstract":"<p><b>The Front Cover</b> illustrates a zeolite framework enclosed within a protective dome, symbolizing its characterization under water-free conditions. This review explores the impact of water on zeolite structure, acidity, and stability. It highlights advanced in-situ NMR and FTIR techniques for probing how water interacts with active sites, along with complementary dehydration strategies to remove water from zeolites. By refining zeolite characterization, this study offers valuable insights into optimizing their catalytic performance. For more details, see the Review Article by Sang-Ho Chung, Javier Ruiz-Martínez, and co-workers (DOI: 10.1002/cmtd.202400076).\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202580401","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143793311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Martina Rüscher, Joon Baek Jang, Andrea Martini, Petrik Bischoff, Wiebke Frandsen, Janis Timoshenko, Beatriz Roldan Cuenya
{"title":"Laboratory-Based Time-Resolved In Situ X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Tracking Transformations of Working Electrocatalysts","authors":"Martina Rüscher, Joon Baek Jang, Andrea Martini, Petrik Bischoff, Wiebke Frandsen, Janis Timoshenko, Beatriz Roldan Cuenya","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202500016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cmtd.202500016","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The field of electrocatalysis can play a transformative role in the utilization of renewable electricity and the sustainable production of value-added products. However, to enhance the performance and drive the industrial applicability, the electrocatalysts’ properties and their evolution need to be thoroughly understood and characterized under relevant working conditions and at industrially relevant time-scales. Laboratory-based X-ray absorption spectrometers are promising devices for accessible catalyst characterization, enabling X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) experiments that are not compatible with the traditional synchrotron beamtime access mode. In particular, they allow the screening of a large number of catalysts or experimental parameters and also long-term studies of catalysts’ (de-)activation processes. Here, the feasibility of carrying out laboratory-based in situ and operando XAS studies in combination with electrocatalytic studies at solid–liquid interfaces are demonstrated. In particular, the challenges and possibilities are discussed for tracking the electronic and structural transformations in electrocatalysts with a laboratory-based spectrometer operated in transmission and fluorescence modes. The methodologies presented here will accelerate catalyst development by providing easier access to in situ and operando XAS and will pave the way for new experiment designs and durability studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202500016","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145243126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Modification Strategies for Enhancing the Performance of Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate Cathodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries","authors":"Zijian Qiu, Quanyan Man, Yongbiao Mu, Huicun Gu, Zhiyu Zou, Meisheng Han, Lin Zeng","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202400065","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cmtd.202400065","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In recent years, lithium manganese iron phosphate (LiMn<sub><i>x</i></sub>Fe<sub>1–<i>x</i></sub>PO<sub>4</sub>, LMFP) has attracted considerable interest, primarily because of its high energy density, remarkable thermal stability, and relatively low manufacturing costs, thus positioning it as a highly promising contender for the next generation of lithium-ion battery cathodes. However, low electronic conductivity and ionic diffusion rate of LMFP hinder its ability in rapid charging applications. Currently, systematic reviews on this topic are still relatively scarce, and thus the aim of this review is to offer a thorough summary of the advancements in research concerning LMFP cathode materials. This review focuses on the structural and performance characteristics of LMFP, along with the effects of various modification strategies on its electrochemical performance. An in-depth analysis is conducted on exotic element doping, surface coating, and material nanostructuring, with a focus on their mechanisms for improving the electrochemical characteristics of LMFP. In conclusion, the review outlines potential future development directions for LMFP in the realms of interface engineering and structural design. This review aims to provide valuable perspectives into the research and innovation of LMFP materials, promote the advancement of high-performance, low-cost LMFP cathode materials, and ultimately advance the technology and commercial applications of lithium-ion batteries.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202400065","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144213909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Mechanochemical Route for the Synthesis of Diphenyleneiodonium Salts and the Estimation of Their Relative Solid-State Reactivities","authors":"Ipsha Shruti, Tejender S. Thakur","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202500002","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cmtd.202500002","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Hypervalent halogen-containing compounds are recognized as green reagents for chemical synthesis. Iodonium (III) salts are regarded as the most beneficial classes of hypervalent halogen derivatives because of their advantageous reactivity and biological activities. A solvent-free, high-yielding, mechanochemical route is developed for the synthesis of diphenyleneiodonium (III) salts (DPI<sup>+</sup>X<sup>−</sup>). The optimal synthesis of several DPI salts, including triflate, mesylate, esylate, besylate, tosylate, and saccharinate, is reported in the study with high reaction yields. All reported salts are thoroughly characterized with the help of powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. We also report the isolation of a new polymorph of DPI chloride salt, DPI-CHL2 which appears concomitantly with the known polymorph, DPI-CHL1. A optimized protocol for obtaining the pure bulk phases of the polymorphs is also presented in the study. We also performed a detailed computational analysis of the synthesized diphenyleneiodonium salts with the help of morphology predictions, and Hirshfeld surface analysis, to understand the effect of crystal morphology, crystal packing, and counterions on their solid-state reactivities. The reactivity comparison can help choose the most reactive DPI salts for further use as reagents or catalysts in mechanochemical solid-state reactions.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202500002","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144998609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xian-Xian Xiao, Kai Zheng, Hao-Ran Yu, Fang-Di Dong, Ding-Yi Hu, Rui-Biao Lin
{"title":"Charge-Assisted Hydrogen-Bonded Organic Frameworks: From Crystal Engineering to Multifunctional Materials","authors":"Xian-Xian Xiao, Kai Zheng, Hao-Ran Yu, Fang-Di Dong, Ding-Yi Hu, Rui-Biao Lin","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202400082","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cmtd.202400082","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Crystalline porous materials formed through intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding interactions and van der Waals forces are known as hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs). As a type of HOFs, charge-assisted HOFs are composed of organic acids and bases jointly interacted through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. Charge-assisted HOFs show the advantages of high crystallinity, ease of processing, recyclability, and low toxicity. Moreover, the introduction of additional electrostatic interactions can enhance the binding energy of hydrogen bonds, which not only improves the stability of the framework but also endows the channels with unique charge-separation characteristics. This review highlights the important factors affecting the design and synthesis of charge-assisted HOFs, including the acidity and basicity of monomers, solvent effects, and the role of topology in guiding the design. Additionally, it briefly introduces the applications of charge-assisted HOFs in the fields of negative linear compressibility, proton conduction, atmospheric water harvesting, gas adsorption and separation, molecular rotors, optics, and biological applications. The challenges and future prospects in the design and synthesis of charge-assisted HOFs are also explored.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202400082","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144615290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yujun Li, Lin Zhao, Zhenrui Li, Zhihui Wang, Zhenbing Sun, Haifeng Zuo, Xing'e Liu
{"title":"Self-Supporting Bamboo Charcoal with Outstanding Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Performance","authors":"Yujun Li, Lin Zhao, Zhenrui Li, Zhihui Wang, Zhenbing Sun, Haifeng Zuo, Xing'e Liu","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202400091","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cmtd.202400091","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Biochar materials have become an emerging choice for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding functional materials due to their inherent layered porous structure and sustainability. However, previous studies have primarily focused on the compositional and structural design of biochar with functional nanomaterials and overlooked the relationship between its intrinsic physicochemical properties and EMI shielding performance. In this study, the relationship between the preparation conditions of bamboo charcoal (BC) and its subsequent microstructure evolution, phase composition, electrical conductivity, and EMI shielding properties is investigated. BC with abundant hierarchical pores and continuous conductive networks is prepared by a one-step pyrolysis process. This structure facilitates the internal conduction of electrons, thereby enhancing EMI shielding performance. Notably, the electrical conductivity of BC is sharply improved from 1.3 × 10<sup>−5</sup> to 31.2 S cm<sup>−1</sup> as the pyrolysis temperature increases from 600 to 1000 °C. Correspondingly, the EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) improves from 0.29 to 73.63 dB with a shielding efficiency exceeding 99.99%, demonstrating exceptional EM wave shielding capabilities. The continuous conductive networks induced by increased carbonization degree cause a pronounced impedance mismatch between the air and the BC surface, leading to intense EM wave reflections. This work unlocks a novel prospect for the high-value utilization of bamboo resources.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202400091","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144869269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
José Nuno Almeida, Lu Song, Sohrab Askarli, Sang-Ho Chung, Javier Ruiz-Martínez
{"title":"Zeolite–Water Chemistry: Characterization Methods to Unveil Zeolite Structure","authors":"José Nuno Almeida, Lu Song, Sohrab Askarli, Sang-Ho Chung, Javier Ruiz-Martínez","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202400076","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cmtd.202400076","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This review provides comprehensive aspects of the interaction of water with zeolites, focusing on its influence on the structural and catalytic properties of zeolites. It details how water can alter zeolite acidity by forming hydrogen bonding or hydronium ions through different modes of water in zeolite topologies. Moreover, it summarizes the risks of zeolite stability loss <i>via</i> hydrolysis of Si−O−T bonds to influence the stability, structure, and catalytic reactivity of zeolites. To address water interference, various strategies for water removal from zeolite frameworks are reviewed and proposed from the structural perspective of the zeolites. By combining advanced <i>in-situ</i> techniques, FTIR and solid-state NMR have proven effective in providing atomic-level insights, as they eliminate the masking effects of water to enable precise characterization of the zeolite framework. This work underscores the importance of these methods in minimizing the influence of water, enhancing the reliability of zeolite characterization for catalytic applications, and providing insights into recent advancements, challenges, and future directions in the related fields.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202400076","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143793347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdul Mannan Butt, Abhijit Nag, Praveen B. Managutti, Sharmarke Mohamed, Faisal AlMarzooqi, Ahsanulhaq Qurashi
{"title":"Method-Induced Isomerism and Concentration Mediated Isolation of Two (Cu14 and Cu41) Atomically Precise Copper Nanoclusters","authors":"Abdul Mannan Butt, Abhijit Nag, Praveen B. Managutti, Sharmarke Mohamed, Faisal AlMarzooqi, Ahsanulhaq Qurashi","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202400031","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cmtd.202400031","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Ligand-protected atomically precise metal nanoclusters (MNCs) have attracted peculiar interest not only for their distinct molecular structure but also for their unique physiochemical properties, providing an ideal platform for developing structure-activity correlation at the atomic level. In this work, we have presented the isolation of two nanoclusters (NCs) [Cu<sub>14</sub>H<sub>10</sub>(DMBT)<sub>3</sub>(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>8</sub>][BF<sub>4</sub>] (<b>Cu<sub>14</sub></b>) and [Cu<sub>41</sub>H<sub>21</sub>Cl<sub>8</sub>(DMBT)<sub>12</sub>(PPh<sub>3</sub>)<sub>6</sub>] (<b>Cu<sub>41</sub></b>) [DMBT=2,4-dimethylbenzenethiol and PPh<sub>3</sub>=Triphenylphosphine] upon manipulating the concentration of thiol ligand. A correlation between thiolate ligand's concentration and product selectivity was noticed. Further, the presence of R and S isomerism was observed in Cu<sub>14</sub> unit cell. Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction (SC-XRD) data revealed that Cu<sub>14</sub> crystallized in the cubic space group <i>Pa</i>-3, while Cu<sub>41</sub> in hexagonal space group <i>P</i>6<sub>3</sub>/<i>m</i>. The crystal structure of Cu<sub>14</sub> and Cu<sub>41</sub> NCs were supported using high resolution electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI MS) and other spectroscopic approaches. We believe this study will serve as a guide for controllable synthesis of MNCs.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202400031","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143793809","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gayathri Dev Ammini, Lakshani J. Weerarathna, Prof. Tanja Junkers
{"title":"Continuous Flow Block Copolymer Nanoaggregate Synthesis and Their Flow Dialysis Purification","authors":"Gayathri Dev Ammini, Lakshani J. Weerarathna, Prof. Tanja Junkers","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202500025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/cmtd.202500025","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Block copolymer self-assembly into nanoparticles of defined size and morphology is facilitated via continuous flow synthesis methods. Using flow, nanoparticles are obtained at higher rates, with improved consistency, under greener conditions and with significantly reduced batch-to-batch variability when compared to traditional batch processes. The methodology to formulate block copolymers in a flow setup is described, and design strategies explained. Further, the purification of the obtained particles via flow dialysis is described, marking a second important step in synthesis, which when performed in batch is time and resource intensive. The described methods open the pathway for reproducible block copolymer nanoparticle synthesis, and towards automation and high-throughput screening of materials.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202500025","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145243103","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonas Schwan, Dr. Sabine Rosenfeldt, Prof. Anna S. Schenk
{"title":"Monitoring Nanostructural Dynamics During the Electrochemical Growth of Metal Hydroxide Thin Films by in-situ Small-Angle X-Ray Scattering","authors":"Jonas Schwan, Dr. Sabine Rosenfeldt, Prof. Anna S. Schenk","doi":"10.1002/cmtd.202400069","DOIUrl":"10.1002/cmtd.202400069","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Understanding structural dynamics on the nanoscale is essential for progress in current research areas such as catalysis, energy storage, and nanotechnology. In this study, we introduce an in-house electrochemical flow cell for real-time small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) experiments to monitor cobalt hydroxide (Co(OH)<sub>2</sub>) electrocrystallization under controlled conditions. Co(OH)<sub>2</sub> films were produced <i>via</i> cathodic electrochemical deposition (CED) from a Co(NO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub> solution. SAXS data, complemented by electron microscopy and spectroscopy, reveal the formation of nanoscale Co(OH)<sub>2</sub> platelets with an average thickness of ~13 nm and a lateral size of ~600 nm. Time-resolved <i>in-situ</i> SAXS tracks the steady growth of these platelets, from 7.8 nm to 15.7 nm thickness over 120 min. In addition, SAXS measurements demonstrate the influence of citrate ligands, which initially suppress platelet formation and stabilize spherical nanostructures. As citrate depletes in the electrolyte, platelets begin to form, indicating a dynamic shift in crystallization mechanism. By employing <i>in-situ</i> SAXS, we successfully monitor the temporal evolution of nanoscale structures, offering insights into the mechanisms governing crystallization under electrochemically controlled conditions. These findings underscore the versatility of in-house SAXS setups for real-time analysis of material formation and growth processes, with implications for tailoring the synthetic parameters towards materials with dedicated nanostructures for various technological applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":72562,"journal":{"name":"Chemistry methods : new approaches to solving problems in chemistry","volume":"5 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cmtd.202400069","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144615497","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}