We are pleased to present the newly achieved research results recognized world-wide within the field of technology at nanoscale within the STIM-REI Center of Excellence for Science and Technology - Integration of the Mediterranean Region (STIM) project that combines research (R), innovation (I) and education (E).
Based on the discovery of prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Vlasta Bonačić-Koutecký, metal nanoparticles of only a few atoms, with unique structural, optical and reactive properties that connect metalic with molecular properties, opened a new unexpected dimension of traditional nanoscience. This led to application of small metal nanoparticles in the regime where “each atom counts” in two fields: nanocatalysis for renewable energy sources, and nano-bio sensorics for medical diagnostics.
Within this concept, the latest results of young researchers/doctoral students within the project element of Advanced Technology at Nanoscale under the mentorship of the Head of the STIM Center: prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Vlasta Bonačić-Koutecký, were published on cover pages in scientific journals of a significant impact factor and in the quartile categories Q1 and Q2.
Brief description of the research results and their application allows to gain the overview of scientific contributions achieved in the last two years.
New Metal-Organic Catalysts for Selective Decomposition of Formic Acid
into Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide
The key process for production of hydrogen used in transport is selective decomposition of formic acid into H2 and CO2. For this purpose, new class of porous materials metal-organic frameworks MOFs containing catalytic metal centers, is proposed.
“Models Facilitating the Design of a New Metal-Organic Framework Catalyst for the Selective Decomposition of Formic Acid into Hydrogen and Carbon Dioxide”
R. O’Hair, A. Mravak, M. Krstić, V. Bonačić-Koutecký, ChemCatChem, 11, 2443-2448, DOI:10.1002/cctc.201900346, (2019).
Importance of the results in cooperation with Prof. R. O’Hair from University of Melbourne (Australia) has been highlighted by the cover page of the ChemCatChem journal.
Selective Methanation of Carbon Monoxide for Advancement of Hydrogen Fuel Cells
In order to minimize CO poisoning of the fuel cell anode, the selective CO methanation is essential for application in the centralized heating system and transportation. Insights obtained by theoretical modeling might guide the synthesis of novel catalysts opening new avenues for the design of such materials which will serve for the development of “green” renewable energy in the future.
“Intrazeolite CO Methanation by Small Ruthenium Carbonyl Complexes: Translation from Free Clusters into the Cage”
A. Mravak, M. Krstić, S. M. Lang, T. M. Bernhardt, V. Bonačić-Koutecký, ChemCatChem, 12, 3857-3862, DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202000716 (2020).
Importance of the results in cooperation with Prof. T. M. Bernhardt from University of Ulm (Germany) has been highlighted by the cover page of the ChemCatChem journal.
Design of Novel Nanostructured Biosensing Materials and their Application
in Medical Diagnostics
For early medical diagnostics metallic gold and silver quantum nanoclusters, with the size of several atoms, were found to be unique building subunits of new materials with application in "bioimaging". Quantum clusters of silver and gold stabilized by biomolecular ligands show multiphoton light absorption of several orders of magnitude stronger than commercially available organic dyes. The design of a new class of nanoclusters with such desired properties, which have been experimentally synthesized in the group of Dr. R. Antoine in the University of Lyon (France), allows the application for imaging of cells "in vitro" and "in vivo".
”Sub-100 nanometer silver doped gold-cysteine supramolecular assemblies with enhanced nonlinear optical properties”
H. Fakhouri, M. Perić, F. Bertorelle, P. Dugourd, X. Dagany, I. Russier-Antoine, P.-F. Brevet, V. Bonačić-Koutecký and R. Antoine: PCCP, 21(23), 12091-12099, DOI: 10.1039/C9CP00829B, (2019).
Importance of the results has been showcased by cover page of the PCCP journal and selected for HOT TOPIC PCCP 2019 Articles collection.
“Enhanced two-photon absorption of ligated silver and gold nanoclusters: theoretical and experimental assessments”, Vlasta Bonačić-Koutecký and Rodolphe Antoine: NANOSCALE, Advance Article (2019.).
Importance of the results has been highlighted in “Recent Review Articles” collection of the NANOSCALE article with inside cover.
“Rationale Strategy to Tune the Optical Properties of Gold Catenane Nanoclusters by Doping with Silver Atoms”
Srestha Basu, Martina Perić Bakulić, Hussein Fakhouri, Isabelle Russier-Antoine, Christophe Moulin, Pierre-François Brevet, Vlasta Bonačić-Koutecký, and Rodolphe Antoine: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2020 124 (35), 19368-19374, DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcc.0c05402
Importance of the results has been showcased by the Supplementary Cover Art of the Journal of Physical Chemistry C https://pubs.acs.org/toc/jpccck/124/35
“Liganded Silver and Gold Quantum Clusters. Towards a New Class of Nonlinear Optical Nanomaterials”
Rodolphe Antoine and Vlasta Bonačić-Koutecký, Springer, SpringerBriefs in Materials, (2018).