Research into energy materials is of utmost importance regarding for example energy harvesting and energy storage. Novel materials with new functional properties often form the backbone in emerging energy technologies. Therefore, experimental screening approaches are needed to discover and investigate novel materials. Mechanochemical synthesis combined with characterization using time-resolved in situ synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (SR-PXD) at variable temperature (VT) and pressures provide simultaneous unprecedented information about material composition, structure, and properties, such as chemical reactions and thermal decomposition pathways. [1][2][3] We illustrate the efficiency and versatility of this approach by studying a series of novel cadmium-based metal borohydrides.During the past decade, a number of monometallic borohydrides, such as Mg(BH 4 ) 2 and Ca(BH 4 ) 2 , have been characterized in great detail and are now available commercially. [4][5][6][7] In the past few years we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of novel borohydrides combining different metals, filling the gap between the stable alkali and the unstable transition metal borohydrides. [2,[5][6][7][8] Bonding in metal borohydrides can in general be ionic, partly covalent, or a combination of both, resulting in complex structures. In bimetallic borohydrides, metal atoms of the more electronegative elements and BH 4 groups form partly covalent complex anions, such as [Zn 2 (BH 4 ) 5 ] À and [Sc(BH 4 ) 4 ] À . The complex anions combine with alkali metal cations, forming for example Li[Zn 2 (BH 4 ) 5 ], Na[Zn 2 (BH 4 ) 5 ], Li[Sc(BH 4 ) 4 ], and Na[Sc(BH 4 ) 4 ] in the solid state. [2,6,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15] Realization of the two bonding modes allows the composition and properties of this emerging group of hydrides to be tuned, and an empirical relation is established between the decomposition temperature and the electronegativity of the complex-forming metal. [6,[16][17][18] The most electronegative element incorporated into borohydrides to date is zinc; its compounds show decomposition temperatures as low as 100 8C. [13][14][15] Our aim is to extend this series to more electronegative elements, such as cadmium, forming less stable metal borohydrides with anticipated decomposition temperatures below 100 8C.The information on cadmium borohydrides is sparse, and their structures have not previously been reported. [19] Herein, the existence of alkali-metal (M = Li, Na or K) cadmium borohydrides is screened by mechanochemical treatment (ball milling) of MBH 4 and CdCl 2 in various ratios and the resulting materials are characterized by time-resolved in situ VT SR-PXD studies. A three-parameter space is mapped: composition (M = Li, Na, K)

KZn(BH4)Cl2, synthesized for the first time, contains a heteroleptic complex anion [Zn(BH4)Cl2]–, extending the structural diversity of metal borohydrides. In‐situ synchrotron powder diffraction, NMR and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize KZn(BH4)Cl2 and to evaluate the mechanism for its thermal decomposition. The title compound decomposes at a significantly lower temperature than KBH4 and may be used for inspiration for the design of novel hydrogen storage materials. Combining different ligands in modified metal borohydrides is proposed as a way to adjust stability with respect to hydrogen desorption.

Identification and directed development of non-organic catalysts with apparent pan-enzymatic mimicry into nanozymes for efficient prodrug conversion

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This is a retrospective study to investigate whether motivational interviewing increases weight loss among obese or overweight women prior to fertility treatment. Women with body mass index (BMI) > 30 kg/m(2) approaching the Fertility Clinic, Regional Hospital Skive, were given advice about diet and physical activity with the purpose of weight loss. In addition, they were asked if they wanted to receive motivational interviewing. Among other data, age, height and weight were obtained. Main outcomes were weight loss measured in kg and decrease in BMI. We studied 187 women: 110 received sessions of motivational interviewing (intervention group, n = 110), 64 received motivational support by phone or e-mail only and 13 women did not wish any motivational support (control group, n = 77). The mean weight loss and decrease in BMI was greater in the intervention group compared with the control group (9.3 kg versus 7.3 kg, difference p = 0.01, 3.3 kg/m(2) versus 2.6 kg/m(2), difference p = 0.02). The mean period of intervention was comparable in the two groups, 7.9 month and 7.3 month, respectively, (difference non significant: NS). The study indicates that motivational interviewing may be a valuable tool in weight loss programs for obese and overweight women prior to fertility treatment.