Interplay of crystal phase and morphology in WO3 for aqueous ammonium ion batteries: Decoupling their respective roles in NH4+ storage performance

Calcium oxalate biomineralization in plants is phylogenetically widespread and morphologically diverse, but the function of these inorganic crystals is an area of active debate. The variety of environmental conditions that produce the crystals, as well as the inconsistent evidence that they provide antiherbivore defense across plant and herbivore species, suggests that different crystal morphologies might have different functions. Using Vitis riparia, or riverbank grape, we experimentally investigated the environmental influence of excess calcium and simulated herbivory on the formation of calcium oxalate druse and raphide crystals in leaves. We also investigated the putative defensive function of these crystals by using a no-choice herbivore bioassay manipulating herbivore diet composition to test for impacts of crystal shape on herbivore growth, both on its own and with plant chemistry. We found that the addition of calcium to soil increased the density of both raphide and druse crystals in V. riparia leaves. Contrary to expectations, the herbivory treatment decreased the density of raphides in leaves, and V. riparia-derived crystals did not impact weight gain, time to pupation, or survival of moth larvae. Our multifaceted test of the formation and function of calcium oxalate crystals in riverbank grape demonstrates that an abiotic factor (i.e., soil calcium) is a relatively stronger determinant of crystal production and that, contrary to hundreds of years of speculation on their function, these crystals do not seem to mediate plant-insect herbivory in all plant taxa. Instead, the alternative hypothesis of calcium regulation was supported by our experimental evidence.

SCM-10 is an SFE-type borosilicate zeolite featuring one-dimensional 12-ring channels and holds promise for catalytic and separation applications, yet its crystallization and morphology control remain insufficiently understood. Herein, we investigate the crystallization of SCM-10 and elucidate the effects of synthesis parameters, including SiO2/B2O3, OSDA/SiO2, and H2O/SiO2 molar ratios, crystallization temperature, and heteroatom substitution, on crystal morphology. SCM-10 crystallizes via an induction period (30 h) followed by rapid crystal growth (12 h), yielding uniform needle-like crystals with dimensions of 0.05 × 1 μm (diameter × length; aspect ratio = 20). Increasing the SiO2/B2O3 ratio induces a morphology transition from needles to plates, whereas variations in the OSDA/SiO2 and H2O/SiO2 ratios largely preserve the needle-like morphology. Elevating the crystallization temperature transforms needles into nanowires, with the aspect ratio rising to 83 (0.03 × 2.5 μm). Heteroatom substitution further induces distinct morphology modulation: Al yields nanoparticles (100 nm), V shortens crystal lengths to 500 nm (50 × 500 nm; aspect ratio = 10), Fe produces nanowires (0.02 × 1.3 μm; aspect ratio = 65), and Ge forms peanut-like needle aggregates (0.05 × 10 μm; aspect ratio = 200). This work establishes morphology-regulation rules for SCM-10, enabling the rational design of tailored morphologies for applications.

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the growth morphology of TNT/ATL cocrystal (in a 1:1M ratio) which is formed by the intermolecular interactions between ATL (1-amino-1,2,3-triazole, a new energetic material) and TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, a traditional explosive) in vacuum and various solvents. The attachment energies for four crystal planes (020, 011, 100, and 11 ) and the morphological changes in six solvents (ethanol, acetonitrile, methanol, water, acetone, and ethyl acetate) at different temperatures were predicted. The results show that the aspect ratio of crystals grown in water, acetonitrile, and methanol solvents are smaller than in other solvents. While in ethanol, the predicted crystal morphology has a relative smaller aspect ratio of 4.60 at 318K in comparison with other temperatures. The predicted results are highly consistent with the experiment. Furthermore, the solvent-crystal surface interactions and their influence on crystalline morphology were probed through solvent diffusion characteristics. TNT/ATL cocrystal morphologies in vacuum and different solvents and temperatures were obtained by COMPASS force field and MAE (modified attachment energy) model, which considers the direct impact of intermolecular interactions on crystal morphology via the molecular dynamics simulation at Materials Studio 7.0 platform. The geometry optimization using fine precision with a 1.55-nm cutoff distance was performed with Forcite module, incorporating Ewald summation for electrostatic interactions and atomic-based summation for van der Waals forces. Comprehensive crystal morphology predictions were performed through the Morphology module, utilizing three distinct algorithms: growth morphology, BFDH (Bravais-Friedel-Donnay-Harker), and equilibrium morphology methodologies. The BFDH model predicts crystal growth using geometric calculations based on the symmetry of the crystal and lattice parameters. The NVT (isothermal and isochoric) system was used for molecular dynamics simulation. The simulation step size was 1fs, the total simulation time was 500ps, and data were collected every 5000 steps.

The use of reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) plays a critical role for in situ characterization in molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, and sputtering. While sensitive to crystal symmetries and morphology, it is used ubiquitously to determine the growth modes of thin films. However, analysis of RHEED patterns depends on skilled experts and is, therefore, difficult to incorporate into the growth strategy in real time. The development of machine learning (ML) processes, specifically convolutional neural networks (CNNs), presents a unique opportunity toward real-time RHEED pattern recognition. In this study, we develop a CNN model that can accurately classify four common and distinct RHEED patterns present in chalcogenide thin film growth. Its accuracy reached 94.9% for single run and 91.2% when averaged over 20 seeds. Our network is able to distinguish the nucleation of three common growth modes encountered in epitaxy, namely, Volmer–Weber (VW), Stransky–Krastanov (SK), and Frank–van der Merwe, potentially enabling future automation of substrate temperature and shutter control informed by RHEED data. The network is material-agnostic and distinguishes the VW process with greater than 98% accuracy but is somewhat more limited in its ability to properly classify roughening and the initiation of SK growth. Our findings show that ML techniques can be successfully implemented even in cases where there is no detailed knowledge of growth chemistry providing an avenue toward real-time incorporation of ML to control nanostructure nucleation and thin film morphology.

Interfacial instability remains the primary obstacle to realizing high-energy Li-metal batteries (LMBs). Here, we demonstrate that ZnO can function not as a conventional anode material but as a facet-engineered interfacial regulator that stabilizes Li-metal deposition. Using electrothermal-wave (ETW) processing, we precisely modulate atomic diffusion kinetics to tailor the crystal facet orientation and morphology of ZnO nanostructures on carbon fibers. This controllable platform enables decoupling the facet- and morphology-dependent effects on interfacial stability. Mechanistic analyses reveal that the semipolar (101) facet forms a conductive Li-Zn interface that promotes uniform Li nucleation and enables long-term plating/stripping stability (>800h), whereas the polar (002) facet generates an insulating Li2O-rich layer that impedes charge transfer. Concurrently, a 2D planar morphology enhances the electrochemically active surface area and exchange current density, yielding more favorable Li plating kinetics than 3D architectures. The optimized ZnO@CF electrode, integrating the (101)-dominant facet and planar configuration, delivers stable reversibility in half-cells and retains 80 % capacity over 200 cycles at 0.5 C in full-cell pairing with a commercial NCM523 cathode. This study establishes a design framework where facet-dependent interfacial reactivity and morphology-dependent kinetic regulation act synergistically to stabilize reactive metal interfaces, offering a new paradigm for durable and efficient LMB anodes.

Oleogels in flour-based foods: an overview from the perspective of crystalline structure and functional performance.

Crystal morphology characterization and initial concentration effect study of 2,6-Diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide (LLM-105) grown in DMSO solution

This study presents an innovative application of high-pressure homogenization (HPH) for the synthesis of micro- and nanocrystalline pharmaceutical salts, offering a scalable and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional crystallization techniques. Using ketoconazole (KTZ) and oxalic acid (OA) as a model system, salt formation was successfully achieved through HPH processing in the presence of various stabilizers (Pharmacoat® 606, Pluronic® F127, Soluplus®, and TPGS) at different concentrations and process temperatures. Structural analysis by XRPD and FT-IR confirmed the formation of a new multicomponent salt through proton transfer and hydrogen bonding, while SEM imaging revealed controlled crystal morphology and significant particle size reduction to the submicron range. The process demonstrated remarkable reproducibility and flexibility, allowing morphological tuning through simple adjustments in stabilizer concentration and temperature. Dissolution studies performed at pH 4.4 showed up to an 80% drug release within 15min for HPH-processed KTZ:OA salts, a substantial improvement over bulk KTZ. The findings establish HPH as a versatile, solvent-free, and continuous manufacturing platform for the production of high-purity pharmaceutical salts with superior dissolution performance, highlighting its potential to transform solid-state drug formulation and process intensification strategies in pharmaceutical development.

Effect of crystal morphology of nickel-rich cathode materials on electrochemical stability and ion transport kinetics of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries

Purification of antifreeze proteins from tussah silkworm (Antheraea pernyi) via polyethylene glycol precipitation coupled with aqueous two-phase extraction.

Controlled synthesis of Mg(OH)2 with tailored crystal morphologies from brucite via hydration: Morphological evolution mechanism and hydration kinetics

The effects of solution concentration, admixtures, erosion form, and age on the flexural and compressive strength of Portland cement subjected to a sulfate environment were investigated, and the corresponding relationship between the mechanical properties and influencing factors of the cement specimen was proposed. Furthermore, the phase components, crystal morphology, microstructure, and morphology of erosion products were also investigated. The research findings indicate that the flexural and compressive strengths of specimens subjected to a sulfate environment for 4 months decreased as the content of admixture increased. There exists a GaussMod function between the content of fly ash and flexural strength of a specimen subjected to a sulfate environment, and the Boltzmann function can be used to characterize the variation between the slag content and compressive strength of the specimen. After being attacked by a saturated sulfate solution, the strength of specimens with fly ash increased at first and then decreased as the content of fly ash increased. In the semi-immersion erosion form, the strength of the specimens containing admixture that were attacked by sulfate was lower than that of the control sample. Admixture can observably change the morphology and microstructure of the specimens. Rodlike and slab-like sulfate erosion products can be easily observed in the specimens containing admixture that were attacked in the semi-immersion form. This is significant for further research on the mechanism and evolution process of concrete sulfate erosion and for predicting durability and conducting an operational life assessment of concrete constructions subjected to a sulfate environment.

When phospholipids crystallize within the otherwise fluid membranes of giant unilamellar vesicles, the resulting molecularly thin "2D" solids exhibit great variety in their morphology evolution. For instance, within membranes containing moderate amounts of the crystallizing component, crystals grow with a fixed morphology depending on vesicle size. Conversely for membranes containing large amounts of the crystallizing species, we find small compact crystals on vesicles of all sizes. However, on large vesicles, growing crystals sprout flower petals that lengthen progressively. These behaviors result from two combined mechanisms: first, like other 2D solids, the shear rigidity of phospholipid crystals renders them intolerant to morphologies with nonzero Gaussian curvature. As a result and especially at elevated membrane tension, the cost of bending elasticity is reduced at the expense of line energy by the formation of flowers as opposed to compact crystals. Second, the composition-dependent tension rise during cooling relaxes via water permeation of the membrane with a time constant scaling as R2. The amount of crystal formed for a small decrease in temperature determines this composition-dependent increase in stress from thermal contractions versus solidification. Surface Evolver computations were motivated using the predicted tension evolution to develop a processing space that maps to experimental observations for initial and growing crystal morphology. Important variable groups are identified, including a scaled ratio of bending to line energy, a vesicle-size-independent group for membrane contractions, and a time constant for stress relaxation. Though processing stresses ultimately relax, the crystal morphology persists well beyond the processing window.

This review article provides a systematic analysis of synthesis methods, structural characteristics, and functional properties of spinel-structured ferrite nanoparticles (MFe2O4). The physicochemical principles, advantages, and limitations of various synthesis techniques-including co-precipitation, combustion, sol-gel, thermal decomposition, hydrothermal, solvothermal, microwave-assisted, sonochemical, electrochemical, and solid-state reaction methods-are comparatively discussed. The influence of synthesis parameters on crystal structure, morphology, and cation distribution between tetrahedral and octahedral sites, as well as on magnetic, dielectric, and optical properties, is critically analyzed. Furthermore, the capabilities of characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), FT-Raman spectroscopy, dielectric measurements, and magnetic measurements for investigating spinel ferrites are comprehensively summarized. Finally, the high potential of spinel ferrite nanoparticles for applications in electronics, microwave devices, water treatment, catalysis, sensors, and biomedical fields is highlighted.

To address the scaling issues encountered during the oilfield water injection process, citric acid was employed as the carbon source, and three amino acids with distinct side chain structures glutamic acid, glutamine, and methionine, were individually introduced to synthesize Glu-CQDs, Gln-CQDs, and Met-CQDs via a one-pot hot-melt polycondensation method. At a concentration of 50 mg/L, the scale inhibition efficiency of Glu-CQDs and GIn-CQDs were 89.91% and 57.78%, respectively, while that of Met-CQDs was only 22.15%. This suggests that the -S-CH3 group in methionine’s side chain exhibits negligible chelating or solubilizing effects on Ca2+. FT-IR, XPS, TEM, Uv-vis, and Fluorescence spectrophotometer are used to analyze the micro structure and optical properties of AA-CQDs. The delaying effect of AA-CQDs on scale formation was evaluated through laser turbidimetry, while their regulatory influence on scale crystal morphology was investigated via SEM and XRD. This indicates that AA-CQDs inhibit the formation of calcium carbonate scale through combined mechanisms such as chelation and lattice distortion. Quantum chemical calculations were conducted to assess the coordination and binding affinity between AA-CQDs and Ca2+, that the ΔE value of Glu-CQDs is 3.36907. This indicates that Glu-CQDs exhibit more outstanding nucleophilic and electrophilic properties, stronger electron transfer ability, and a stronger binding affinity to the calcite crystal surface. This comprehensive study elucidates the impact of functional side chain groups, such as -COOH, -CONH2, and -S-CH3 on the scale inhibition performance and crystallization behavior of carbon dots.

Regulating the oxygen vacancy concentration and active sites of Co3O4 through crystal facet engineering and morphological modulation can significantly optimize its catalytic performance. In this study, a ligand-mediated synergistic strategy for crystal facet and morphology regulation was employed to construct Co3O4 catalysts exposing distinct facets, including {001}, {011}, {111}, and {110}, and the catalytic activity of these catalysts was evaluated for the oxidation of toluene. Catalytic tests revealed that Co3O4-S achieved a T90 (temperature for 90% toluene conversion) of 259 °C, with the activity order being dodecahedron Co3O4-S {110} > flower-like Co3O4-H {011} > disciform Co3O4-Y {111} > cube-type Co3O4-L {001}. The superior catalytic activity of Co3O4-S is attributed to its exposed {110} crystal facets, which feature abundant oxygen vacancies, a higher concentration of Co3+ active sites, and a larger specific surface area. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the {110} crystal plane of Co3O4-S features the lowest oxygen vacancy formation energy (EVO {110} = 4.41 eV), the optimal O2 adsorption energy (Eads {110} = -1.88 eV), and toluene adsorption energy (Eads {110} = -2.38 eV), indicating strong ability for oxygen activation. This study clarifies the mechanism of the ligand-mediated facet-morphology synergistic regulation strategy, establishes a complete structure-activity chain of "facet/morphology → oxygen vacancy → adsorption energy → catalytic activity" for toluene oxidation, and provides key theoretical support and technical references for the rational design of high-efficiency non-noble metal catalysts for toluene oxidation.

ABSTRACT Lipid crystallization plays a key role in determining the structure, stability, and functional performance of fat‐based products, as it is a hierarchical process involving nucleation, crystal growth, aggregation, and the formation of a three‐dimensional network, with each stage strongly influenced by both compositional and processing variables. The triacylglycerol molecular profile, along with minor lipid constituents and additives, governs polymorphic transitions and crystalline organization, while external parameters—such as shear, cooling rate, isothermal crystallization temperature, and ultrasound treatment—further modulate nucleation kinetics, crystal morphology, and network connectivity. The interplay between these internal and external factors dictates the formation of metastable and stable polymorphs (α, β′, β), which are critical to the physical properties and sensory attributes of high‐fat containing foods, particularly in confectionery applications. This review summarizes both fundamental concepts and recent advances in lipid crystallization, with an emphasis on engineered lipid systems and processing innovations aimed at controlling polymorphism, preventing undesirable textural changes while also examining the effects of chemical composition and processing conditions in depth and presenting successful examples of alternatives to trans fats and cocoa butter in confectionery fats.

Abstract. Cirrus clouds play a critical role in the Earth's radiation budget, yet their shortwave optical properties remain poorly constrained. In particular, the short wave asymmetry parameter (g), which governs the angular distribution of scattered light, is particularly sensitive to ice crystal morphology, a property that varies widely in cirrus. To provide observational constraints on g and to investigate its relationship with ice microphysical properties, we analysed simultaneous in situ measurements of particle morphology and angular light scattering using the Particle Habit Imaging and Polar Scattering (PHIPS) probe. The measurements were obtained during the Cirrus in High Latitudes (CIRRUS-HL) campaign in June and July 2021, sampling both mid-latitude and Arctic cirrus across a range of cloud types and temperatures down to −63 °C. Across both regions, we found consistently low median asymmetry parameters, with a campaign-wide median of 0.738. The observed g values were largely insensitive to variations in temperature, humidity, and crystal aspect ratio, and showed only minor differences between ice habits. In contrast, a systematic decrease in g with increasing particle size was identified, median g ranging from 0.777 for sub-30 µm particles in mid-latitude cirrus to minimum values of 0.719 and 0.713 for 175 µm particles in mid-latitude and Arctic cirrus, respectively. The measured values are substantially lower than those commonly used in current radiative transfer schemes, suggesting that the shortwave warming effect of cirrus clouds may be overestimated in many climate models. These results provide improved observational constraints for the representation of ice cloud optical properties and support efforts to reduce uncertainties in cirrus cloud radiative forcing.

ABSTRACT This study synthesised gold-decorated cuprous oxide (Au-Cu2O) photocatalysts via a precipitation method for the photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4). The Au loading was varied to optimise photocatalytic performance and quantum yield. The materials were comprehensively characterised by XRD, SEM, TEM, and XPS to analyse their crystal structure, morphology, composition, and electronic properties, thereby informing the proposed reaction mechanism. Results indicate that the 0.1 wt% Au-Cu2O composite exhibited the highest activity under 15 W green LED irradiation, producing 33.50 μmol g− 1 of CH4 and 23.85 μmol g−1 of CO. The corresponding quantum yields for CH4 and CO were 0.35% and 0.06%, respectively, representing a 1.6-fold enhancement over pristine Cu2O. Based on the experimental and characterisation data, a plausible photocatalytic mechanism for CO2 reduction on the Au-Cu2O surface is proposed.