Exploring the role of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in the study of biorelevant nanocomposites and electrochemical reactions

DIPC Seminars

Speaker

Anastasia Vyalikh
Dresden University of Technology

When

2024/05/03
12:00

Place

Donostia International Physics Center (Hybrid Seminar)

Host

Eugene Chulkov

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Fast-emerging fields of life science and energy conservation require the application of experimental techniques with a broad range of spatial and temporal resolutions. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a method that provides unique insights into the structural properties of various media, including gases, liquids, crystalline and amorphous solids, and their interfaces, and is sensitive to changes in the local environment around nuclei. Using solid state NMR, we studied the interfacial mineral-organic structure on a molecular level to gain insight into biomineralization processes in bio(mimetic)-materials. We performed the 2D heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) experiments, which provide signal separation, and therefore resolution for identifying mineral phases and interfacial organic-inorganic structures that may not be visible in imaging and diffraction techniques. Using HETCOR and a multinuclear approach, we thoroughly addressed the structural properties of the biomimetic system fluoroapatite-gelatin grown by double- diffusion. Namely, we have found that the crystalline fluorapatite nanodomains are covered by a thin boundary apatite-like layer, which is in contact with an amorphous interparticle layer. As the glue (or cohesive force) that holds the composite materials together, hydrogen bond interactions have been identified. Over the last decade, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has raised remarkably leading to the “greenhouse effect”. From the perspective of mitigating climate change, CO2 capture and utilization can be an important environmental and economic incentive. Thus, the direct electrochemical reduction of captured CO2 to functional molecules is therefore of high relevance. The non-invasiveness of NMR and its ability to quantitatively identify various species in a system make it a valuable tool for electrochemistry research. In particular, in situ redox- flow NMR has been shown to directly monitor reaction intermediates and products during the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into hydrocarbon products. These findings help to elucidate reaction mechanisms for the efficient and selective production of valuable hydrocarbon products with the benefit of the CO2 conversion.

Zoom: https://dipc-org.zoom.us/j/96677603340
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/m9UtfOMnMQ8