P. J. Baker

Bio: P. J. Baker is an academic researcher from New York University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Muon spin spectroscopy & Antiferromagnetism. The author has an hindex of 14, co-authored 29 publications receiving 1076 citations.

Enhancement of superconducting transition temperature of FeSe by intercalation of a molecular spacer layer

Abstract: The recent discovery of high temperature superconductivity in a layered iron arsenide has led to an intensive search to optimize the superconducting properties of iron-based superconductors by changing the chemical composition of the spacer layer that is inserted between adjacent anionic iron arsenide layers. Until now, superconductivity has only been found in compounds with a cationic spacer layer consisting of metal ions: Li+, Na+, K+, Ba2+ or a PbO-type or perovskite-type oxide layer. Electronic doping is usually necessary to control the fine balance between antiferromagnetism and superconductivity. Superconductivity has also been reported in FeSe, which contains neutral layers similar in structure to those found in the iron arsenides but without the spacer layer. Here we demonstrate the synthesis of Lix(NH2)y(NH3)1-yFe2Se2 (x ~0.6 ; y ~ 0.2), with lithium ions, lithium amide and ammonia acting as the spacer layer, which exhibits superconductivity at 43(1) K, higher than in any FeSe-derived compound reported so far and four times higher at ambient pressure than the transition temperature, Tc, of the parent Fe1.01Se. We have determined the crystal structure using neutron powder diffraction and used magnetometry and muon-spin rotation data to determine the superconducting properties. This new synthetic route opens up the possibility of further exploitation of related molecular intercalations in this and other systems in order to greatly optimize the superconducting properties in this family.

Coexistence of static magnetism and superconductivity in SmFeAsO1-xFx as revealed by muon spin rotation

Abstract: The recent observation of superconductivity with critical temperatures up to 55 K in the FeAs based pnictide compounds marks the first discovery of a non copper-oxide based layered high-Tc superconductor (HTSC) [1-3]. It has raised the suspicion that these new materials share a similar pairing mechanism to the cuprates, since both exhibit superconductivity following charge doping of a magnetic parent material. Here we present a muon spin rotation study on SmFeAsO1-xFx (x=0-0.30), which shows that static magnetism persists well into the superconducting regime. The analogy with the cuprates is quite surprising since the parent compounds appear to have different magnetic ground states: itinerant spin density wave for the pnictides contrasted with the Mott-Hubbard insulator in the cuprates. Our findings suggest that proximity to magnetic order and associated soft magnetic fluctuations, rather than the strong electronic correlations in the vicinity of a Mott-Hubbard-metal-to-insulator transition, may be the key ingredients of HTSC.

Structural and functional studies of Aspergillus oryzae cutinase: enhanced thermostability and hydrolytic activity of synthetic ester and polyester degradation.

Abstract: Cutinases are responsible for hydrolysis of the protective cutin lipid polyester matrix in plants and thus have been exploited for hydrolysis of small molecule esters and polyesters. Here we explore the reactivity, stability, and structure of Aspergillus oryzae cutinase and compare it to the well-studied enzyme from Fusarium solani. Two critical differences are highlighted in the crystallographic analysis of the A. oryzae structure: (i) an additional disulfide bond and (ii) a topologically favored catalytic triad with a continuous and deep groove. These structural features of A. oryzae cutinase are proposed to result in an improved hydrolytic activity and altered substrate specificity profile, enhanced thermostability, and remarkable reactivity toward the degradation of the synthetic polyester polycaprolactone. The results presented here provide insight into engineering new cutinase-inspired biocatalysts with tailor-made properties.

Identification and comparison of cutinases for synthetic polyester degradation

Abstract: Cutinases have been exploited for a broad range of reactions, from hydrolysis of soluble and insoluble esters to polymer synthesis. To further expand the biotechnological applications of cutinases for synthetic polyester degradation, we perform a comparative activity and stability analysis of five cutinases from Alternaria brassicicola (AbC), Aspergillus fumigatus (AfC), Aspergillus oryzae (AoC), Humicola insolens (HiC), and the well-characterized Fusarium solani (FsC). Of the cutinases, HiC demonstrated enhanced poly(e-caprolactone) hydrolysis at high temperatures and under all pH values, followed by AoC and AfC. Both AbC and FsC are least stable and function poorly at high temperatures as well as at acidic pH conditions. Surface charge calculations and phylogenetic analysis reveal two important modes of cutinase stabilization: (1) an overall neutral surface charge within the “crowning area” by the active site and (2) additional disulfide bond formation. These studies provide insights useful for reengineering such enzymes with improved function and stability for a wide range of biotransformations.

Magnetic metal-organic frameworks.

Abstract: The purpose of this critical review is to give a representative and comprehensive overview of the arising developments in the field of magnetic metal–organic frameworks, in particular those containing cobalt(II). We examine the diversity of magnetic exchange interactions between nearest-neighbour moment carriers, covering from dimers to oligomers and discuss their implications in infinite chains, layers and networks, having a variety of topologies. We progress to the different forms of short-range magnetic ordering, giving rise to single-molecule-magnets and single-chain-magnets, to long-range ordering of two- and three-dimensional networks (323 references).

Supramolecular Hydrogelators and Hydrogels: From Soft Matter to Molecular Biomaterials

Abstract: In this review we intend to provide a relatively comprehensive summary of the work of supramolecular hydrogelators after 2004 and to put emphasis particularly on the applications of supramolecular hydrogels/hydrogelators as molecular biomaterials. After a brief introduction of methods for generating supramolecular hydrogels, we discuss supramolecular hydrogelators on the basis of their categories, such as small organic molecules, coordination complexes, peptides, nucleobases, and saccharides. Following molecular design, we focus on various potential applications of supramolecular hydrogels as molecular biomaterials, classified by their applications in cell cultures, tissue engineering, cell behavior, imaging, and unique applications of hydrogelators. Particularly, we discuss the applications of supramolecular hydrogelators after they form supramolecular assemblies but prior to reaching the critical gelation concentration because this subject is less explored but may hold equally great promise for helping ...

The puzzle of high temperature superconductivity in layered iron pnictides and chalcogenides

Abstract: The response of the worldwide scientific community to the discovery in 2008 of superconductivity at T c = 26 K in the Fe-based compound LaFeAsO1−x F x has been very enthusiastic. In short order, ot...

Superconductivity in iron compounds

Abstract: Kamihara and coworkers' report of superconductivity at ${T}_{c}=26\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{K}$ in fluorine-doped LaFeAsO inspired a worldwide effort to understand the nature of the superconductivity in this new class of compounds. These iron pnictide and chalcogenide (FePn/Ch) superconductors have Fe electrons at the Fermi surface, plus an unusual Fermiology that can change rapidly with doping, which lead to normal and superconducting state properties very different from those in standard electron-phonon coupled ``conventional'' superconductors. Clearly, superconductivity and magnetism or magnetic fluctuations are intimately related in the FePn/Ch, and even coexist in some. Open questions, including the superconducting nodal structure in a number of compounds, abound and are often dependent on improved sample quality for their solution. With ${T}_{c}$ values up to 56 K, the six distinct Fe-containing superconducting structures exhibit complex but often comparable behaviors. The search for correlations and explanations in this fascinating field of research would benefit from an organization of the large, seemingly disparate data set. This review provides an overview, using numerous references, with a focus on the materials and their superconductivity.

High-temperature superconductivity in iron-based materials

Abstract: The surprising discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in a material containing a strong magnet—iron—has led to thousands of publications. By placing all the data in context, it becomes clear what we know and where we are headed.