HIGH-PRESSURE STUDIES WITH SYNCHROTRON LIGHT REVEAL NEW PROPERTIES OF A PROMISING MATERIAL FOR MODERN ELECTRONICS

Researchers from different universities and research facilities, have unveiled how a topological semimetal reacts under high pressure. This compound has great potential in multiple applications such as optical detectors, spintronics, water-splitting devices or 2D field effect transistors. By using X-ray diffraction at the ALBA Synchrotron and Elettra (Italy), along with other techniques, they found out the structural, vibrational and electronic fingerprints of two pressure-induced phase transitions in this material/compound. Results have been published in Materials Today Advances.

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REGISTRATION OPEN FOR THE 6TH EDITION OF ALBA MISSION

Primary school teachers can sign up their groups of 10-12 years old children for the sixth edition of ALBA Mission at www.misionalba.es. From its beginning, 59.000 students from all over Spain have participated in this science educational project of ALBA. Registration open till 13th October 2023.

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SWITCHING THE SPIN STATE OF A MONOLAYER OF COBALT (II) COMPLEXES DIRECTLY LINKED TO A METAL SURFACE

CNR, University of Florence and ICMol researchers in collaboration with the ALBA Synchrotron (BOREAS beamline) demonstrated that a spin-crossover (SCO) phenomenon can be observed in a monolayer of Cobalt (II) complexes anchored from solution to a metallic substrate. This strategy paves the way to the realization of smart SCO nanodevices through soft methodologies with prospective applications in spintronics.

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FIRST STUDY HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE NEW MATERIALS SCIENCE MICROSCOPE AT JEMCA

Scientists from ICN2 and IREC used the electron microscope dedicated to materials science at JEMCA to study the atomic structure of catalytic materials that are crucial for the functioning of a new type of battery. The images obtained with the microscope were key to resolving the atomic structure of the nanoparticles of spinel catalysts. The results have been published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. JEMCA, located at ALBA, was inaugurated in February 2023.

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TOWARDS GREENER CHEMICAL PROCESSES WITH A NEW CATALYST FOR ETHYLENE HYDROFORMYLATION

A research led by ITQ (UPV-CSIC) has demonstrated the possibility to replace molecular catalysts in solution for all-solid catalysts based on isolated metal atoms for selective gas-phase ethylene hydroformylation, an important industrial chemical reaction. The discovery paves the way for greener chemical processes, with greater energy efficiency and lower carbon footprint, for the valorization of unconventional raw materials, alternative to crude oil. To test the designed catalyst, synchrotron light techniques have been used, among others, at the ALBA Synchrotron.

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