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.