Ralf Heinzmann

Study of local structure and Li dynamics in Li4+xTi5O12 (0≤x≤5) using 6Li and 7Li NMR spectroscopy

We studied the local structure and the Li ion dynamics in electrochemically and chemically prepared Li(4+x)Ti(5)O(12) with x = 0…5. We used magic-angle spinning (7)Li NMR on samples with different Li contents to investigate the sites that are occupied/emptied during Li insertion/removal. While the electrochemical measurements show a lithium insertion in two steps, 1D MAS NMR as a function of the lithium content shows that the overall spectral evolution observed during lithium insertion is inverted during lithium removal. Thereby the second insertion step is associated with an increased structural disorder. For samples with x = 0, 2, 3, and about 5, we performed temperature-dependent measurements of the (7)Li NMR relaxation rates T(1)(-1), T(2)(-1), and T(1ρ)(-1) to study the dynamics of the Li ions. For the samples with x = 0, 2, and 3, activation energies of (0.45 ± 0.1)eV were obtained. The highest mobility of the Li ions is observed for the samples with x = 2 and 3. Results from (6)Li and (7)Li 2D exchange MAS NMR spectroscopy on samples with x = 2 and 4 show that magnetization transfer for (7)Li below 323K is dominated by spin diffusion.

A kinked antimicrobial peptide from Bombina maxima. I. Three-dimensional structure determined by NMR in membrane-mimicking environments

Maximin-4 is a 27-residue cationic antimicrobial peptide exhibiting selectivity for bacterial cells. As part of the innate defense system in the Chinese red-belly toad, its mode of action is thought to be ion channel or pore formation and dissipation of the electrochemical gradient across the pathogenic cell membrane. Here we present the high-resolution structure of maximin-4 in two different membrane mimetics, sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles and 50% methanol, as determined by 1H solution NMR spectroscopy. In both environments, the peptide chain adopts a helix–break–helix conformation following a highly disordered N-terminal segment. Despite the similarities in the overall topology of the two structures, major differences are observed in terms of the interactions stabilizing the kink region and the arrangement of the four lysine residues. This has a marked influence on the shape and charge distribution of the molecule and may have implications for the bacterial selectivity of the peptide. The solution NMR results are complemented by CD spectroscopy and solid-state NMR experiments in lipid bilayers, both confirming the predominantly helical conformation of the peptide. As a first step in elucidating the membrane interactions of maximin-4, our study contributes to a better understanding of the mode of action of antimicrobial peptides and the factors governing their selectivity.

Electrolyte Mixtures Based on Ethylene Carbonate and Dimethyl Sulfone for Li-Ion Batteries with Improved Safety Characteristics

In this study, novel electrolyte mixtures for Li-ion cells are presented with highly improved safety features. The electrolyte formulations are composed of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl sulfone (80:20 wt/wt) as the solvent mixture and LiBF4 , lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)azanide, and lithium bis(oxalato)borate as the conducting salts. Initially, the electrolytes are characterized with regard to their physical properties, their lithium transport properties, and their electrochemical stability. The key advantages of the electrolytes are high flash points of >140 °C, which enhance significantly the intrinsic safety of Li-ion cells containing these electrolytes. This has been quantified by measurements in an accelerating rate calorimeter. By using the newly developed electrolytes, which are liquid down to T=-10 °C, it is possible to achieve C-rates of up to 1.5 C with >80 % of the initial specific capacity. During 100 cycles in cell tests (graphite||LiNi1/3 Co1/3 Mn1/3 O2 ), it is proven that the retention of the specific capacity is >98 % of the third discharge cycle with dependence on the conducting salt. The best electrolyte mixture yields a capacity retention of >96 % after 200 cycles in coin cells.

Orientation and Location of the Cyclotide Kalata B1 in Lipid Bilayers Revealed by Solid-State NMR

Cyclotides are ultra-stable cyclic disulfide-rich peptides from plants. Their biophysical effects and medically interesting activities are related to their membrane-binding properties, with particularly high affinity for phosphatidylethanolamine lipids. In this study we were interested in understanding the molecular details of cyclotide-membrane interactions, specifically with regard to the spatial orientation of the cyclotide kalata B1 from Oldenlandia affinis when embedded in a lipid bilayer. Our experimental approach was based on the use of solid-state 19F-NMR of oriented bilayers in conjunction with the conformationally restricted amino acid L-3-(trifluoromethyl)bicyclopent-[1.1.1]-1-ylglycine as an orientation-sensitive 19F-NMR probe. Its rigid connection to the kalata B1 backbone scaffold, together with the well-defined structure of the cyclotide, allowed us to calculate the protein alignment in the membrane directly from the orientation-sensitive 19F-NMR signal. The hydrophobic and polar residues on the surface of kalata B1 form well-separated patches, endowing this cyclotide with a pronounced amphipathicity. The peptide orientation, as determined by NMR, showed that this amphipathic structure matches the polar/apolar interface of the lipid bilayer very well. A location in the amphiphilic headgroup region of the bilayer was supported by 15N-NMR of uniformly labeled protein, and confirmed using solid-state 31P- and 2H-NMR. 31P-NMR relaxation data indicated a change in lipid headgroup dynamics induced by kalata B1. Changes in the 2H-NMR order parameter profile of the acyl chains suggest membrane thinning, as typically observed for amphiphilic peptides embedded near the polar/apolar bilayer interface. Furthermore, from the 19F-NMR analysis two important charged residues, E7 and R28, were found to be positioned equatorially. The observed location thus would be favorable for the postulated binding of E7 to phosphatidylethanolamine lipid headgroups. Furthermore, it may be speculated that this pair of side chains could promote oligomerization of kalata B1 through electrostatic intermolecular contacts via their complementary charges.

CEC AND 7Li MAS NMR STUDY OF INTERLAYER Li+ IN THE MONTMORILLONITE–BEIDELLITE SERIES AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND AFTER HEATING

The objective of the study was to contribute to the understanding of the influence of the structure and the 2:1 layer dimension of smectites on cation exchange capacity (CEC) reduction and the hydration behavior of Li-saturated smectites after heating. Five montmorillonites extracted from bentonites of different provenance were saturated with Li+ and heated to 300°C. Initial montmorillonites and montmorillonites with reduced layer charge (RCM) were characterized by comprehensive mineralogical analysis supplemented by CEC measurements, surface-area measurements by Ar adsorption, and 7Li, 27Al, and 29Si magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS NMR). The CEC of the initial montmorillonites varied between 89 and 130 cmol(+)/kg while the CEC of the RCM prepared at 300°C varied between 8 and 25 cmol(+)/kg. The lateral dimension of the 2:1 layers varied between 70 and 200 nm. The greatest decrease in CEC was observed for the montmorillonite with the largest diameter of the 2:1 layers and the smallest decrease was observed for the montmorillonite with the smallest diameter of the 2:1 layers. 7Li MAS NMR revealed an axially symmetric chemical environment of the hydrated interlayer Li+ with ηΔ = 0 for the chemical shift anisotropy tensor for unheated montmorillonites with >33% tetrahedral layer charge (ξ). The chemical environment is typical of innersphere hydration complexes of interlayer Li+. An axially non-symmetric chemical environment of the interlayer Li+ with ηCS of close to one was observed for all RCM. While the remaining CEC of RCM prepared at 300°C reflected the variable CEC at the edges, and thus the lateral size or aspect ratio of the 2:1 layers, the hydration complex of interlayer Li+ was strongly determined by the isomorphic substitutions in the dioctahedral 2:1 layers.

Synthesis of nanocrystalline solid solutions AlySn1−yO2−y/2 (y = 0.57, 0.4) investigated by XRD, 27Al/119Sn MAS NMR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Nanocrystalline AlySn1−yO2−y/2 (y = 0.57, 0.4) was prepared by a co-precipitation method and subsequent calcination at temperatures of up to 650 °C. Transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction reveal crystallite sizes of about 2 nm and a crystal structure equivalent to that of pure SnO2 cassiterite. The local structure was investigated by 27Al and 119Sn NMR as well as by Sn Mossbauer spectroscopy. The results show the formation of a solid solution with a random distribution of Al and Sn on the cation sites and a random distribution of oxygen vacancies on the anion sites.

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of nanocrystalline Al0.4Mg0.2Sn0.4O1.6 and Al0.25Mg0.38Sn0.38O1.5 investigated by in situ XRD, 27Al/119Sn MAS NMR, 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy, and galvanostatic cycling

Nanocrystalline Al0.4Mg0.2Sn0.4O1.6 and Al0.25Mg0.38Sn0.38O1.5 were prepared by a co-precipitation method from Al(NO3)3·9H2O, MgSO4, and SnCl4·5H2O, followed by calcination at different temperatures. We performed in situ X-ray diffraction measurements at temperatures between 307 K and 1173 K and transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal a crystal structure equivalent to that of SnO2 cassiterite, very small crystallite sizes of about 3–4 nm, and high thermal stability. The local structure around Al and Sn was investigated by 27Al/119Sn NMR and 119Sn Mossbauer spectroscopy. These measurements show that the calcination results in the formation of [AlO4] and [AlO5] units, in addition to the initial [AlO6] environment, and in local disorder around the Sn atoms. The electrochemical performance was studied by galvanostatic cycling against Li metal. These experiments were performed on bare and carbon coated materials. Sn is the active component in these materials and undergoes an alloying reaction. Both Al0.4Mg0.2Sn0.4O1.6 and Al0.25Mg0.38Sn0.38O1.5 exhibit good electrochemical performance with a very stable cycling and a discharge capacity of 522 mA h g−1 and 385 mA h g−1, respectively, after 100 cycles. Their performance is strongly improved in comparison with pure SnO2 prepared by the same synthesis route.

Study of local structure and Li dynamics in () using 6Li and 7Li NMR spectroscopy

We studied the local structure and the Li ion dynamics in electrochemically and chemically prepared Li(4+x)Ti(5)O(12) with x = 0…5. We used magic-angle spinning (7)Li NMR on samples with different Li contents to investigate the sites that are occupied/emptied during Li insertion/removal. While the electrochemical measurements show a lithium insertion in two steps, 1D MAS NMR as a function of the lithium content shows that the overall spectral evolution observed during lithium insertion is inverted during lithium removal. Thereby the second insertion step is associated with an increased structural disorder. For samples with x = 0, 2, 3, and about 5, we performed temperature-dependent measurements of the (7)Li NMR relaxation rates T(1)(-1), T(2)(-1), and T(1ρ)(-1) to study the dynamics of the Li ions. For the samples with x = 0, 2, and 3, activation energies of (0.45 ± 0.1)eV were obtained. The highest mobility of the Li ions is observed for the samples with x = 2 and 3. Results from (6)Li and (7)Li 2D exchange MAS NMR spectroscopy on samples with x = 2 and 4 show that magnetization transfer for (7)Li below 323K is dominated by spin diffusion.

Study of local structure and Li dynamics in Li4+xTi5O12Li4+xTi5O12 (0≤x≤50≤x≤5) using 6Li and 7Li NMR spectroscopy

We studied the local structure and the Li ion dynamics in electrochemically and chemically prepared Li(4+x)Ti(5)O(12) with x = 0…5. We used magic-angle spinning (7)Li NMR on samples with different Li contents to investigate the sites that are occupied/emptied during Li insertion/removal. While the electrochemical measurements show a lithium insertion in two steps, 1D MAS NMR as a function of the lithium content shows that the overall spectral evolution observed during lithium insertion is inverted during lithium removal. Thereby the second insertion step is associated with an increased structural disorder. For samples with x = 0, 2, 3, and about 5, we performed temperature-dependent measurements of the (7)Li NMR relaxation rates T(1)(-1), T(2)(-1), and T(1ρ)(-1) to study the dynamics of the Li ions. For the samples with x = 0, 2, and 3, activation energies of (0.45 ± 0.1)eV were obtained. The highest mobility of the Li ions is observed for the samples with x = 2 and 3. Results from (6)Li and (7)Li 2D exchange MAS NMR spectroscopy on samples with x = 2 and 4 show that magnetization transfer for (7)Li below 323K is dominated by spin diffusion.