Chemistry news and discussions

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Scientists solve long-standing block copolymer research conundrum through polymer chain end modifications
https://phys.org/news/2024-01-scientist ... lymer.html
by Pohang University of Science and Technology

Plumber's nightmare structure presents itself as an assemblage where all exits seem to converge inward—a plumber's nightmare but an anticipated uniqueness for researchers, suggesting distinctive traits divergent from traditional materials. Nonetheless, this intricate configuration was deemed unattainable, bordering on the realm of the impossible.

Recently, a research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) unearthed clues from neglected minuscule ends, transforming this dream into reality. The journal Science not only published this research but also spotlighted it as an article, sparking considerable interest within academic circles.

Professor Moon Jeong Park and Ph.D. candidate Hojun Lee from POSTECH's Department of Chemistry brought to life nanostructures of block copolymers (BCPs), which were previously only envisioned.

BCPs represent polymers constructed by linking blocks of one monomer with blocks of another. Capable of self-assembly, BCPs craft diverse nanoscale structures, finding widespread applications across fields covering semiconductor and medicine.

Recent studies have been vigorously exploring comparisons in optical and mechanical properties based on BCP structure. However, as structures grow more intricate, their thermodynamic stability diminishes, posing considerable challenges in their production.

Among these structures, the plumber's nightmare, exhibiting medial packing of polymer chain ends, stands as an immensely complex and distinctive formation. While real-life instances of its manifestation were absent, it was hypothesized to possess unique optical and mechanical traits due to its distinctive channel structure, setting it apart from other nanostructures.

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Team accomplishes precise measurements of the heaviest atoms
https://phys.org/news/2024-01-team-prec ... e_vignette
by Stephan Laudien, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena

An international research team has successfully conducted ultra-precise X-ray spectroscopic measurements of helium-like uranium. The team, which includes researchers from Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Helmholtz Institute Jena (both in Germany), has achieved results demonstrating their success in disentangling and separately testing one-electron two-loop and two-electron quantum electrodynamic effects for extremely strong Coulomb fields of the heaviest nuclei for the first time.

The researchers have now published their results in the journal Nature.

The published paper details basic research into the age-old question of what holds our world together at the innermost level. Dr. Robert Lötzsch, an experimental physicist at the Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics at the University of Jena, says that the special part of this project is that measurements were conducted on the heaviest stable atoms.

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The automation of chemistry lab work is continuing. This will let human chemists focus on harder problems and accelerate the pace of innovation.
https://www.science.org/content/blog-po ... mation-rip

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Evidence that atomically thin hafnium telluride is an excitonic insulator
https://phys.org/news/2024-02-evidence- ... uride.html
by Ingrid Fadelli , Phys.org

The condensation of excitons with non-zero momentum can give rise to so-called charge density waves (CDW). This phenomenon can prompt the transition of materials into a fascinating new quantum phase, known as an excitonic insulator.

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A new high-concentration solid polymer electrolyte for high-voltage lithium-metal batteries
https://techxplore.com/news/2024-02-hig ... ltage.html
by Ingrid Fadelli , Tech Xplore

Lithium-metal batteries, which contain anodes based on metallic lithium, are promising rechargeable batteries that could help to meet the growing demands of the electronics industry. These batteries have various advantages, including high energy density and fast charging times.

Researchers have recently been trying to design new electrolytes that could further advance the performance of lithium-metal batteries. These are often either organic liquid electrolytes or inorganic solid electrolytes.

While some of these electrolytes have performed better than others, both liquid and solid alternatives have significant limitations. Organic liquid electrolytes can compromise a battery's safety, while inorganic solid electrolytes typically exhibit a high interface resistance, resulting from poor contact between the solid electrolytes and solid electrodes.

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Looking at the importance of catalyst sites in electrochemical CO₂ conversion
https://phys.org/news/2024-02-importanc ... rsion.html
by Anne M. Stark, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Intense research efforts have been directed toward studying the electrochemical conversion of CO2, a major greenhouse gas, into platform chemicals and fuels. The success of this technology can enable the decarbonization of some of the largest CO2 emitters, including steel, cement, and chemical manufacturing industries.

Copper is unique in its ability to convert CO2 at low temperatures to a diverse range of products, such as carbon monoxide, ethylene, and ethanol at industrially viable current densities. As a result, there is widespread interest in understanding CO2 conversion on copper electrodes as efficient and stable CO2 electrolyzers.

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https://phys.org/news/2024-03-chemicals ... ethod.html

Harmful 'forever chemicals' removed from water with new electrocatalysis method

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A physics-based predictive tool to speed up battery and superconductor research
https://phys.org/news/2024-03-physics-b ... uctor.html
by University of Tokyo

From lithium-ion batteries to next-generation superconductors, the functionality of many modern, advanced technologies depends on the physical property known as intercalation. Unfortunately, it's difficult to identify in advance which of the many possible intercalated materials are stable, which necessitates a lot of trial-and-error lab work in product development.

Now, in a study recently published in ACS Physical Chemistry Au, researchers from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, and collaborating partners have devised a straightforward equation that correctly predicts the stability of intercalated materials. The systematic design guidelines enabled by this work will speed up the development of upcoming high-performance electronics and energy-storage devices.

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Engineers manage a first: Measuring pH in cell condensates
https://phys.org/news/2024-03-ph-cell-condensates.html
by Washington University in St. Louis

Scientists trying to understand the physical and chemical properties that govern biomolecular condensates now have a crucial way to measure pH and other emergent properties of these enigmatic, albeit important, cellular compartments.

Condensates are communities of proteins and nucleic acids. They lack a membrane and come together and fall apart as needed. The nucleolus is a prominent condensate in cells. It serves vital roles in cellular physiology and is the site of ribosome production.

Ribosomes are the multi-protein and RNA assemblies where the genetic code is translated to synthesize proteins. Impairment of ribosome production and other nucleolar dysfunctions lie at the heart of cancers, neurodegeneration, and developmental disorders.

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Using AI to develop a new method for improving electrocatalytic converters
https://phys.org/news/2024-03-ai-method ... lytic.html
by Jennifer Opel, Bayreuth University

Prof Dr. Johannes Margraf and a team of scientists have developed a promising method to improve the efficiency of electrocatalysts. Using simulations and artificial intelligence, the researchers have developed a computer program that can simultaneously optimize several properties of the catalyst. The results have now been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

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Study shows magnetic fields boosts electrocatalysis for sustainable fuel production
https://techxplore.com/news/2024-04-mag ... nable.html
by Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne

In an era where the quest for sustainable energy sources has become paramount, researchers are tirelessly exploring innovative avenues to enhance fuel production processes. One of the most important tools in converting chemical energy into electrical energy and vice versa is electrocatalysis, which is already used in various green-energy technologies.

Electrocatalysis speeds up electrochemical reactions through the use of catalysts—substances that increase reaction rates without being consumed themselves. Electrocatalysis is fundamental in devices like fuel cells and electrolyzers, where it enables the efficient transformation of fuels such as hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, or water into hydrogen and oxygen, respectively, facilitating a cycle of clean energy.

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A new method for storing and processing hydrogen chloride
https://phys.org/news/2024-04-method-hy ... oride.html
by Japhet Johnstone, Free University of Berlin

A research team at Freie Universität Berlin has successfully developed a method for storing and electrolyzing gaseous hydrogen chloride in the form of an ionic liquid. The method allows the hydrogen chloride created as a by-product in traditional chlorination processes to be recovered and recycled in a safer manner.

This development also represents an important contribution toward making the chemical industry more sustainable and offering alternative energy solutions. The results of the study were recently published in the journal Science Advances under the title "Bichloride-Based Ionic Liquids for the Merged Storage, Processing, and Electrolysis of Hydrogen Chloride."

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A simple, inexpensive way to make carbon atoms bind together
https://phys.org/news/2024-04-simple-in ... atoms.html
by The Scripps Research Institute

The active ingredient in many drugs is what's known as a small molecule: bigger than water, much smaller than an antibody and mainly made of carbon. It's tough, however, to make these molecules if they require a quaternary carbon—a carbon atom bonded to four other carbon atoms. But now, Scripps Research scientists have uncovered a potential cost-effective way to produce these tricky motifs.

In the new findings, which were published in Science on April 5, 2024, Scripps Research chemists show that it's possible to convert feedstock chemicals into quaternary carbons using a single, inexpensive iron catalyst. This method could benefit drug developers by making molecules cheaper and easier to produce at small and large scales.

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New statistical-modeling workflow may help advance drug discovery and synthetic chemistry
https://phys.org/news/2024-04-statistic ... overy.html
by Theresa Duque, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

A new automated workflow developed by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has the potential to allow researchers to analyze the products of their reaction experiments in real time, a key capability needed for future automated chemical processes.

The developed workflow—which applies statistical analysis to process data from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy—could help speed the discovery of new pharmaceutical drugs, and accelerate the development of new chemical reactions.

The Berkeley Lab scientists who developed the groundbreaking technique say that the workflow can quickly identify the molecular structure of products formed by chemical reactions that have never been studied before. They recently reported their findings in the Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling.

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New colorful plastic films for versatile sensors and electronic displays
https://phys.org/news/2024-04-plastic-v ... plays.html
by Osaka University

Innovative electronics is one of the many applications of modern plastics. Some recent research efforts have used plastic to improve the color realism of display technologies.

Now, in a study recently published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition, researchers from Osaka University and collaborating partners have developed a borane molecule that exhibits unusual light emission upon binding to fluoride. Incorporating their molecule into common plastic is straightforward, resulting in versatile materials for electronic display and chemical sensing applications.

A class of molecules known as triarylboranes (TABs) has photochemical properties that are useful in optics. For example, upon binding to an anion such as fluoride, disruption of the TAB electronic structure often does two things to the light emission: shortens the wavelength (blue-shift) and reduces the intensity (turn-off response).

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Harnessing solar energy for high-efficiency NH₃ production
https://techxplore.com/news/2024-04-har ... iency.html
by JooHyeon Heo, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

A technology that harnesses solar energy to produce high-efficiency ammonia (NH3) has been unveiled by a research team affiliated with UNIST.

Led by Professor Sung-Yeon Jang and Professor Ji-Wook Jang from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST, in collaboration with Professor Thomas F. Jaramillo from Stanford University, the team has developed an eco-friendly perovskite-based photoelectrode system for NH3 production that has surpassed the commercialization standard of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by an impressive 1.7 times, setting a new world record in ammonia production efficiency.

The work is published in the journal Nature Catalysis.

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AI designs active pharmaceutical ingredients quickly and easily based on protein structures
https://phys.org/news/2024-04-ai-pharma ... asily.html
by Fabio Bergamin, ETH Zurich

A new computer process developed by chemists at ETH Zurich makes it possible to generate active pharmaceutical ingredients quickly and easily based on a protein's three-dimensional surface. The new process, detailed in Nature Communications, could revolutionize drug research.

"It's a real breakthrough for drug discovery," says Gisbert Schneider, Professor at ETH Zurich's Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences. Together with his former doctoral student Kenneth Atz, he has developed an algorithm that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to design new active pharmaceutical ingredients.

For any protein with a known three-dimensional shape, the algorithm generates the blueprints for potential drug molecules that increase or inhibit the activity of the protein. Chemists can then synthesize and test these molecules in the laboratory.

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Scientists discover method to prevent coalescence in immiscible liquids
https://phys.org/news/2024-04-scientist ... quids.html
by Bob Yirka , Phys.org

A team of chemical engineers from Université PSL, CNRS, Harvard University and chemical company Calyxia, has discovered a way to prevent or delay coalescence in some immiscible liquids.

In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes how experiments they conducted led to the discovery of a way to get some fluids such as water and oil, to remain as an emulsion for long periods of time without the use of surfactants.

It is widely known that when two immiscible liquids, such as water and oil are mixed, they do not remain so for very long—they slowly separate into two layers. This is because they never really mix to begin with; instead, they coexist as droplets that coalesce when they come into contact with one another.

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