76
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Castelli A, Biffi G, Ceseracciu L, Spirito D, Prato M, Altamura D, Giannini C, Artyukhin S, Krahne R, Manna L, Arciniegas MP. Revealing Photoluminescence Modulation from Layered Halide Perovskite Microcrystals upon Cyclic Compression. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1805608. [PMID: 30393907 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201805608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Halide perovskites show promise for high-efficiency solar energy conversion and light-emitting diode devices owing to their bandgap, which falls within the visible optical range. However, due to their rigidity, GPa pressures are necessary to control the complex interplay between their electronic and crystallographic structure. Layered perovskites are likely to be controlled using much lower pressures by exploiting the optical anisotropy of the embedded organic molecules in the structure. This work introduces layered perovskite microplatelets and demonstrates the extreme sensitivity of their emission to cyclic mechanical loading in the range of tens of MPa. A drastic change in their emission is observed in situ, from near-white to an enhanced blue color. This process is reversible, as is evident from a hysteresis loop in the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the microplatelets. A combination of experimental analysis and computational modelling shows that such behavior cannot be attributed to changes in the crystallographic structure of the flakes. Instead, it suggests that, thanks to their structural anisotropy, microplate alignment and reorientation are responsible for the observed PL modulation. The possibility to tune the optical emission of layered perovskite crystals via low pressures makes them highly interesting as active materials in applications where stress sensing or light modulation is desired.
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77
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Tapeinos C, Marino A, Battaglini M, Migliorin S, Brescia R, Scarpellini A, De Julián Fernández C, Prato M, Drago F, Ciofani G. Stimuli-responsive lipid-based magnetic nanovectors increase apoptosis in glioblastoma cells through synergic intracellular hyperthermia and chemotherapy. NANOSCALE 2018; 11:72-88. [PMID: 30357214 PMCID: PMC6336008 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr05520c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In this study, taking into consideration the limitations of current treatments of glioblastoma multiforme, we fabricated a biomimetic lipid-based magnetic nanovector with a good loading capacity and a sustained release profile of the encapsulated chemotherapeutic drug, temozolomide. These nanostructures demonstrated an enhanced release after exposure to an alternating magnetic field, and a complete release of the encapsulated drug after the synergic effect of low pH (4.5), increased concentration of hydrogen peroxide (50 μM), and increased temperature due to the applied magnetic field. In addition, these nanovectors presented excellent specific absorption rate values (up to 1345 W g-1) considering the size of the magnetic component, rendering them suitable as potential hyperthermia agents. The presented nanovectors were progressively internalized in U-87 MG cells and in their acidic compartments (i.e., lysosomes and late endosomes) without affecting the viability of the cells, and their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier was preliminarily investigated using an in vitro brain endothelial cell-model. When stimulated with alternating magnetic fields (20 mT, 750 kHz), the nanovectors demonstrated their ability to induce mild hyperthermia (43 °C) and strong anticancer effects against U-87 MG cells (scarce survival of cells characterized by low proliferation rates and high apoptosis levels). The optimal anticancer effects resulted from the synergic combination of hyperthermia chronic stimulation and the controlled temozolomide release, highlighting the potential of the proposed drug-loaded lipid magnetic nanovectors for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.
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78
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Imran M, Ijaz P, Baranov D, Goldoni L, Petralanda U, Akkerman Q, Abdelhady AL, Prato M, Bianchini P, Infante I, Manna L. Shape-Pure, Nearly Monodispersed CsPbBr 3 Nanocubes Prepared Using Secondary Aliphatic Amines. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:7822-7831. [PMID: 30383965 PMCID: PMC6428374 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b03598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Fully inorganic cesium lead halide perovskite (CsPbX3) nanocrystals (NCs) have been extensively studied due to their excellent optical properties, especially their high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and the ease with which the PL can be tuned across the visible spectrum. So far, most strategies for synthesizing CsPbX3 NCs are highly sensitive to the processing conditions and ligand combinations. For example, in the synthesis of nanocubes of different sizes, it is not uncommon to have samples that contain various other shapes, such as nanoplatelets and nanosheets. Here, we report a new colloidal synthesis method for preparing shape-pure and nearly monodispersed CsPbBr3 nanocubes using secondary amines. Regardless of the length of the alkyl chains, the oleic acid concentration, and the reaction temperature, only cube-shaped NCs were obtained. The shape purity and narrow size distribution of the nanocubes are evident from their sharp excitonic features and their ease of self-assembly in superlattices, reaching lateral dimensions of up to 50 μm. We attribute this excellent shape and phase purity to the inability of secondary amines to find the right steric conditions at the surface of the NCs, which consequently limits the formation of low-dimensional structures. Furthermore, no contamination from other phases was observed, not even from Cs4PbBr6, presumably due to the poor ability of secondary aliphatic amines to coordinate to PbBr2 and, hence, to provide a reaction environment that is depleted in Pb.
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79
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Carli S, Fioravanti G, Armirotti A, Ciarpella F, Prato M, Ottonello G, Salerno M, Scarpellini A, Perrone D, Marchesi E, Ricci D, Fadiga L. A New Drug Delivery System based on Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid and PEDOT. Chemistry 2018; 25:2322-2329. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201805285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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80
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Najafi L, Taheri B, Martín-García B, Bellani S, Di Girolamo D, Agresti A, Oropesa-Nuñez R, Pescetelli S, Vesce L, Calabrò E, Prato M, Del Rio Castillo AE, Di Carlo A, Bonaccorso F. MoS 2 Quantum Dot/Graphene Hybrids for Advanced Interface Engineering of a CH 3NH 3PbI 3 Perovskite Solar Cell with an Efficiency of over 20. ACS NANO 2018; 12:10736-10754. [PMID: 30240189 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b05514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Interface engineering of organic-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) plays a pivotal role in achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE). In fact, the perovskite photoactive layer needs to work synergistically with the other functional components of the cell, such as charge transporting/active buffer layers and electrodes. In this context, graphene and related two-dimensional materials (GRMs) are promising candidates to tune "on demand" the interface properties of PSCs. In this work, we fully exploit the potential of GRMs by controlling the optoelectronic properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO) hybrids both as hole transport layer (HTL) and active buffer layer (ABL) in mesoscopic methylammonium lead iodide (CH3NH3PbI3) perovskite (MAPbI3)-based PSCs. We show that zero-dimensional MoS2 quantum dots (MoS2 QDs), derived by liquid phase exfoliated MoS2 flakes, provide both hole-extraction and electron-blocking properties. In fact, on one hand, intrinsic n-type doping-induced intraband gap states effectively extract the holes through an electron injection mechanism. On the other hand, quantum confinement effects increase the optical band gap of MoS2 (from 1.4 eV for the flakes to >3.2 eV for QDs), raising the minimum energy of its conduction band (from -4.3 eV for the flakes to -2.2 eV for QDs) above the one of the conduction band of MAPbI3 (between -3.7 and -4 eV) and hindering electron collection. The van der Waals hybridization of MoS2 QDs with functionalized reduced graphene oxide (f-RGO), obtained by chemical silanization-induced linkage between RGO and (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane, is effective to homogenize the deposition of HTLs or ABLs onto the perovskite film, since the two-dimensional nature of RGO effectively plugs the pinholes of the MoS2 QD films. Our "graphene interface engineering" (GIE) strategy based on van der Waals MoS2 QD/graphene hybrids enables MAPbI3-based PSCs to achieve a PCE up to 20.12% (average PCE of 18.8%). The possibility to combine quantum and chemical effects into GIE, coupled with the recent success of graphene and GRMs as interfacial layer, represents a promising approach for the development of next-generation PSCs.
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81
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Zhang Y, Liu Y, Lim KH, Xing C, Li M, Zhang T, Tang P, Arbiol J, Llorca J, Ng KM, Ibáñez M, Guardia P, Prato M, Cadavid D, Cabot A. Tin Diselenide Molecular Precursor for Solution-Processable Thermoelectric Materials. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:17063-17068. [PMID: 30398301 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201809847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
In the present work, we detail a fast and simple solution-based method to synthesize hexagonal SnSe2 nanoplates (NPLs) and their use to produce crystallographically textured SnSe2 nanomaterials. We also demonstrate that the same strategy can be used to produce orthorhombic SnSe nanostructures and nanomaterials. NPLs are grown through a screw dislocation-driven mechanism. This mechanism typically results in pyramidal structures, but we demonstrate here that the growth from multiple dislocations results in flower-like structures. Crystallographically textured SnSe2 bulk nanomaterials obtained from the hot pressing of these SnSe2 structures display highly anisotropic charge and heat transport properties and thermoelectric (TE) figures of merit limited by relatively low electrical conductivities. To improve this parameter, SnSe2 NPLs are blended here with metal nanoparticles. The electrical conductivities of the blends are significantly improved with respect to bare SnSe2 NPLs, what translates into a three-fold increase of the TE Figure of merit, reaching unprecedented ZT values up to 0.65.
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82
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Zhang Y, Liu Y, Lim KH, Xing C, Li M, Zhang T, Tang P, Arbiol J, Llorca J, Ng KM, Ibáñez M, Guardia P, Prato M, Cadavid D, Cabot A. Tin Diselenide Molecular Precursor for Solution‐Processable Thermoelectric Materials. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201809847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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83
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Bellani S, Wang F, Longoni G, Najafi L, Oropesa-Nuñez R, Del Rio Castillo AE, Prato M, Zhuang X, Pellegrini V, Feng X, Bonaccorso F. WS 2-Graphite Dual-Ion Batteries. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:7155-7164. [PMID: 30285447 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b03227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
A novel WS2-graphite dual-ion battery (DIB) is developed by combining a conventional graphite cathode and a high-capacity few-layer WS2-flake anode. The WS2 flakes are produced by exploiting wet-jet milling (WJM) exfoliation, which allows large-scale and free-material loss production (i.e., volume up to 8 L h-1 at concentration of 10 g L-1 and exfoliation yield of 100%) of few-layer WS2 flakes in dispersion. The WS2 anodes enable DIBs, based on hexafluorophosphate (PF6-) and lithium (Li+) ions, to achieve charge-specific capacities of 457, 438, 421, 403, 295, and 169 mAh g-1 at current rates of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.0 A g-1, respectively, outperforming conventional DIBs. The WS2-based DIBs operate in the 0 to 4 V cell voltage range, thus extending the operating voltage window of conventional WS2-based Li-ion batteries (LIBs). These results demonstrate a new route toward the exploitation of WS2, and possibly other transition-metal dichalcogenides, for the development of next-generation energy-storage devices.
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84
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Christodoulou S, Climente JI, Planelles J, Brescia R, Prato M, Martín-García B, Khan AH, Moreels I. Chloride-Induced Thickness Control in CdSe Nanoplatelets. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:6248-6254. [PMID: 30178676 PMCID: PMC6526959 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b02361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Current colloidal synthesis methods for CdSe nanoplatelets (NPLs) routinely yield samples that emit, in discrete steps, from 460 to 550 nm. A significant challenge lies with obtaining thicker NPLs, to further widen the emission range. This is at present typically achieved via colloidal atomic layer deposition onto CdSe cores, or by synthesizing NPL core/shell structures. Here, we demonstrate a novel reaction scheme, where we start from 4.5 monolayer (ML) NPLs and increase the thickness in a two-step reaction that switches from 2D to 3D growth. The key feature is the enhancement of the growth rate of basal facets by the addition of CdCl2, resulting in a series of nearly monodisperse CdSe NPLs with thicknesses between 5.5 and 8.5 ML. Optical characterization yielded emission peaks from 554 nm up to 625 nm with a line width (fwhm) of 9-13 nm, making them one of the narrowest colloidal nanocrystal emitters currently available in this spectral range. The NPLs maintained a short emission lifetime of 5-11 ns. Finally, due to the increased red shift of the NPL band edge photoluminescence excitation spectra revealed several high-energy peaks. Calculation of the NPL band structure allowed us to identify these excited-state transitions, and spectral shifts are consistent with a significant mixing of light and split-off hole states. Clearly, chloride ions can add a new degree of freedom to the growth of 2D colloidal nanocrystals, yielding new insights into both the NPL synthesis as well as their optoelectronic properties.
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85
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Maraschi F, Speltini A, Tavani T, Gulotta MG, Dondi D, Milanese C, Prato M, Profumo A, Sturini M. Silica-supported pyrolyzed lignin for solid-phase extraction of rare earth elements from fresh and sea waters followed by ICP-MS detection. Anal Bioanal Chem 2018; 410:7635-7643. [DOI: 10.1007/s00216-018-1376-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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86
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Locardi F, Cirignano M, Baranov D, Dang Z, Prato M, Drago F, Ferretti M, Pinchetti V, Fanciulli M, Brovelli S, De Trizio L, Manna L. Colloidal Synthesis of Double Perovskite Cs 2AgInCl 6 and Mn-Doped Cs 2AgInCl 6 Nanocrystals. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:12989-12995. [PMID: 30198712 PMCID: PMC6284204 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.8b07983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
![]()
We show here the first colloidal
synthesis of double perovskite
Cs2AgInCl6 nanocrystals (NCs) with a control
over their size distribution. In our approach, metal carboxylate precursors
and ligands (oleylamine and oleic acid) are dissolved in diphenyl
ether and reacted at 105 °C with benzoyl chloride. The resulting
Cs2AgInCl6 NCs exhibit the expected double perovskite
crystal structure, are stable under air, and show a broad spectrum
white photoluminescence (PL) with quantum yield of ∼1.6 ±
1%. The optical properties of these NCs were improved by synthesizing
Mn-doped Cs2AgInCl6 NCs through the simple addition
of Mn-acetate to the reaction mixture. The NC products were characterized
by the same double perovskite crystal structure, and Mn doping levels
up to 1.5%, as confirmed by elemental analyses. The effective incorporation
of Mn ions inside Cs2AgInCl6 NCs was also proved
by means of electron spin resonance spectroscopy. A bright orange
emission characterized our Mn-doped Cs2AgInCl6 NCs with a PL quantum yield as high as ∼16 ± 4%.
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87
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Shinde DV, Dang Z, Petralanda U, Palei M, Wang M, Prato M, Cavalli A, De Trizio L, Manna L. In Situ Dynamic Nanostructuring of the Cu-Ti Catalyst-Support System Promotes Hydrogen Evolution under Alkaline Conditions. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:29583-29592. [PMID: 30088758 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b09493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We report an interesting case of in situ dynamic nanostructuring of catalyst and support under hydrogen evolution conditions in basic media. When solution-grown CuO nanoplates on titanium substrates are subjected to hydrogen evolution reaction, besides the reduction of CuO to metallic Cu nanoplates, both catalyst and support simultaneously undergo a nanostructuring process. The process is driven by the dissolution-redeposition of Cu and the alkaline etching of the titanium support. The morphology of the resulting nanocomposite material consists of a porous matrix made of ultrasmall Cu nanocrystals and amorphous TiO x nanoparticles. Interestingly, the nanostructuring of the catalyst can be finely controlled by varying the applied potential. Such a process leads to a 5.4-fold improvement in the catalyst activity, which is attributed not only to its large active surface area (formed upon nanostructuring), but also to an improved water dissociation activity, provided by the in situ formation of TiO x nanoparticles. The final catalyst exhibits -10 mA/cm2 of current density at a small overpotential of -108 mV and a long-term operational stability up to 50 h. Density functional theory calculations show that the co-presence of Cu and TiO2 nanoparticles optimizes the free energy of hydrogen adsorption in the final catalyst. Our work highlights the importance of studying the dynamic evolution of catalysts under operational conditions and choice of proper support that enhances the catalyst activity.
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88
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Tapeinos C, Battaglini M, Prato M, La Rosa G, Scarpellini A, Ciofani G. CeO 2 Nanoparticles-Loaded pH-Responsive Microparticles with Antitumoral Properties as Therapeutic Modulators for Osteosarcoma. ACS OMEGA 2018; 3:8952-8962. [PMID: 31459028 PMCID: PMC6644480 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.8b01060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Osteosarcoma is an aggressive form of bone cancer mostly affecting young people. To date, the most effective strategy for the treatment of osteosarcoma is the surgical removal of the tumor with or without combinational chemotherapy. In this study, we present the development of a pH-sensitive drug-delivery system in the form of microparticles, with increased chemotherapeutic action against the osteosarcoma cell line SAOS-2, and with reduced toxicity against the heart myoblastic cell line H9C2. The delivery system is composed of calcium carbonate and collagen type I, and is loaded with cerium dioxide (CeO2) nanoparticles (<25 nm) and the anticancer drug doxorubicin. The fabricated microparticles were fully characterized morphologically and physicochemically, and their ability to induce or inhibit apoptosis/necrosis was assessed using in vitro functional assays and flow cytometry. The results presented in this study show that the highest concentration (250 μg/mL) of the therapeutic microparticles (CaCO3-based therapeutic modulators (C-TherMods)), which corresponds to 6.4 μg/mL of encapsulated doxorubicin, can protect the H9C2 cells even after 120 h, since the percentage of viable cells at this time point is 65%. On the contrary, when H9C2 cells are treated with 0.5 μg/mL of free doxorubicin, 75% of the cells are dead only after 24 h. When SAOS-2 cells are treated with the same concentration of C-TherMods (250 μg/mL), the viability of SAOS-2 cells is 80% after 24 h, while it reduces to 50% after 120 h. At pH 6.0, the synergic effect of the pro-oxidant CeO2 nanoparticles and of the encapsulated doxorubicin leads to almost 100% of cell death, even at the lowest concentration of C-TherMods (50 μg/mL).
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89
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Negro E, Nale A, Vezzù K, Pagot G, Polizzi S, Bertoncello R, Ansaldo A, Prato M, Bonaccorso F, Rutkowska IA, Kulesza PJ, Di Noto V. Hierarchical oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts based on FeSn0.5 species embedded in carbon nitride-graphene based supports. Electrochim Acta 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2018.05.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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90
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Negro E, Nale A, Vezzù K, Pagot G, Herve Bang Y, Polizzi S, Colombo M, Prato M, Crociani L, Bonaccorso F, Di Noto V. (Co, Ni)Sn0.5
Nanoparticles Supported on Hierarchical Carbon Nitride-Graphene-Based Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction. ChemElectroChem 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201800664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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91
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Carli S, Trapella C, Armirotti A, Fantinati A, Ottonello G, Scarpellini A, Prato M, Fadiga L, Ricci D. Biochemically Controlled Release of Dexamethasone Covalently Bound to PEDOT. Chemistry 2018; 24:10300-10305. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201801499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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92
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Petroni E, Lago E, Bellani S, Boukhvalov DW, Politano A, Gürbulak B, Duman S, Prato M, Gentiluomo S, Oropesa-Nuñez R, Panda JK, Toth PS, Del Rio Castillo AE, Pellegrini V, Bonaccorso F. Liquid-Phase Exfoliated Indium-Selenide Flakes and Their Application in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2018; 14:e1800749. [PMID: 29845748 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201800749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Single- and few-layered InSe flakes are produced by the liquid-phase exfoliation of β-InSe single crystals in 2-propanol, obtaining stable dispersions with a concentration as high as 0.11 g L-1 . Ultracentrifugation is used to tune the morphology, i.e., the lateral size and thickness of the as-produced InSe flakes. It is demonstrated that the obtained InSe flakes have maximum lateral sizes ranging from 30 nm to a few micrometers, and thicknesses ranging from 1 to 20 nm, with a maximum population centered at ≈5 nm, corresponding to 4 Se-In-In-Se quaternary layers. It is also shown that no formation of further InSe-based compounds (such as In2 Se3 ) or oxides occurs during the exfoliation process. The potential of these exfoliated-InSe few-layer flakes as a catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is tested in hybrid single-walled carbon nanotubes/InSe heterostructures. The dependence of the InSe flakes' morphologies, i.e., surface area and thickness, on the HER performances is highlighted, achieving the best efficiencies with small flakes offering predominant edge effects. The theoretical model unveils the origin of the catalytic efficiency of InSe flakes, and correlates the catalytic activity to the Se vacancies at the edge of the flakes.
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93
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Santiago-Gonzalez B, Monguzzi A, Capitani C, Prato M, Santambrogio C, Meinardi F, Brovelli S. Bottom-up Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Copper Clusters into Permanent Excimer Supramolecular Nanostructures. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201801806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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94
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Santiago-Gonzalez B, Monguzzi A, Capitani C, Prato M, Santambrogio C, Meinardi F, Brovelli S. Bottom-up Synthesis and Self-Assembly of Copper Clusters into Permanent Excimer Supramolecular Nanostructures. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018; 57:7051-7055. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201801806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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95
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Kakwere H, Materia ME, Curcio A, Prato M, Sathya A, Nitti S, Pellegrino T. Dually responsive gold-iron oxide heterodimers: merging stimuli-responsive surface properties with intrinsic inorganic material features. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:3930-3944. [PMID: 29423465 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr06726g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a versatile approach for the preparation of dually responsive smart inorganic heterostructures (HSs) with the potential for exploitation in nanomedicine. We utilize Au-FexOy dimers as templates for generating smart inorganic HSs with a pH-responsive coating and a thermo-responsive coating attached to iron oxide and gold nanoparticles (NPs), respectively. First, a thiol-modified thermo-responsive (PNIPAAM-co-PEGA) polymer could be selectively attached to the gold domain by ligand exchange. The sequential attachment of a catechol-modified initiator to the iron oxide surface enables the in situ polymerization of a pH-responsive (PDMAEA) polymer. As hereby shown, the presence of the two distinct polymer domains on each NP subdomain enables each side of the HS to be loaded with different agents. Indeed, by a gel electrophoresis experiment we demonstrate the loading of siRNA on the pH-responsive polymer and the loading of Nile Blue dye, used as a drug model molecule, on the thermo-responsive polymer. The smart HSs exhibited good biocompatibility and downregulated GFP production when loaded with anti-GFP siRNA molecules. In addition, an investigation of the magnetic relaxivity times revealed that the high R2 relaxivity values of the HSs suggest their potential as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.
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96
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Jin X, Cerea A, Messina GC, Rovere A, Piccoli R, De Donato F, Palazon F, Perucchi A, Di Pietro P, Morandotti R, Lupi S, De Angelis F, Prato M, Toma A, Razzari L. Reshaping the phonon energy landscape of nanocrystals inside a terahertz plasmonic nanocavity. Nat Commun 2018; 9:763. [PMID: 29472554 PMCID: PMC5823850 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03120-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Phonons (quanta of collective vibrations) are a major source of energy dissipation and drive some of the most relevant properties of materials. In nanotechnology, phonons severely affect light emission and charge transport of nanodevices. While the phonon response is conventionally considered an inherent property of a nanomaterial, here we show that the dipole-active phonon resonance of semiconducting (CdS) nanocrystals can be drastically reshaped inside a terahertz plasmonic nanocavity, via the phonon strong coupling with the cavity vacuum electric field. Such quantum zero-point field can indeed reach extreme values in a plasmonic nanocavity, thanks to a mode volume well below λ3/107. Through Raman measurements, we find that the nanocrystals within a nanocavity exhibit two new “hybridized” phonon peaks, whose spectral separation increases with the number of nanocrystals. Our findings open exciting perspectives for engineering the optical phonon response of functional nanomaterials and for implementing a novel platform for nanoscale quantum optomechanics. Here the authors show that the dipole-active phonon resonance of semiconducting nanocrystals can be hybridized by a strongly concentrated terahertz vacuum field of a plasmonic nanocavity, thus achieving strong plasmon–phonon coupling even in the absence of direct terahertz illumination.
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97
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Sulleiro MV, Quiroga S, Peña D, Pérez D, Guitián E, Criado A, Prato M. Microwave-induced covalent functionalization of few-layer graphene with arynes under solvent-free conditions. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:2086-2089. [PMID: 29334096 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc08676h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A non-conventional modification of exfoliated few-layer graphene (FLG) with different arynes under microwave (MW) irradiation and solvent-free conditions is reported. The described approach allows reaching fast, efficient and mild covalent functionalization of FLG.
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98
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Imran M, Caligiuri V, Wang M, Goldoni L, Prato M, Krahne R, De Trizio L, Manna L. Benzoyl Halides as Alternative Precursors for the Colloidal Synthesis of Lead-Based Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:2656-2664. [PMID: 29378131 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b13477/suppl_file/ja7b13477_si_001.pdf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
We propose here a new colloidal approach for the synthesis of both all-inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). The main limitation of the protocols that are currently in use, such as the hot injection and the ligand-assisted reprecipitation routes, is that they employ PbX2 (X = Cl, Br, or I) salts as both lead and halide precursors. This imposes restrictions on being able to precisely tune the amount of reaction species and, consequently, on being able to regulate the composition of the final NCs. In order to overcome this issue, we show here that benzoyl halides can be efficiently used as halide sources to be injected in a solution of metal cations (mainly in the form of metal carboxylates) for the synthesis of APbX3 NCs (in which A = Cs+, CH3NH3+, or CH(NH2)2+). In this way, it is possible to independently tune the amount of both cations and halide precursors in the synthesis. The APbX3 NCs that were prepared with our protocol show excellent optical properties, such as high photoluminescence quantum yields, low amplified spontaneous emission thresholds, and enhanced stability in air. It is noteworthy that CsPbI3 NCs, which crystallize in the cubic α phase, are stable in air for weeks without any postsynthesis treatment. The improved properties of our CsPbX3 perovskite NCs can be ascribed to the formation of lead halide terminated surfaces, in which Cs cations are replaced by alkylammonium ions.
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Imran M, Caligiuri V, Wang M, Goldoni L, Prato M, Krahne R, De Trizio L, Manna L. Benzoyl Halides as Alternative Precursors for the Colloidal Synthesis of Lead-Based Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals. J Am Chem Soc 2018; 140:2656-2664. [PMID: 29378131 PMCID: PMC5908184 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.7b13477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 235] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
We propose here a new colloidal approach for the synthesis of both all-inorganic and hybrid organic-inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). The main limitation of the protocols that are currently in use, such as the hot injection and the ligand-assisted reprecipitation routes, is that they employ PbX2 (X = Cl, Br, or I) salts as both lead and halide precursors. This imposes restrictions on being able to precisely tune the amount of reaction species and, consequently, on being able to regulate the composition of the final NCs. In order to overcome this issue, we show here that benzoyl halides can be efficiently used as halide sources to be injected in a solution of metal cations (mainly in the form of metal carboxylates) for the synthesis of APbX3 NCs (in which A = Cs+, CH3NH3+, or CH(NH2)2+). In this way, it is possible to independently tune the amount of both cations and halide precursors in the synthesis. The APbX3 NCs that were prepared with our protocol show excellent optical properties, such as high photoluminescence quantum yields, low amplified spontaneous emission thresholds, and enhanced stability in air. It is noteworthy that CsPbI3 NCs, which crystallize in the cubic α phase, are stable in air for weeks without any postsynthesis treatment. The improved properties of our CsPbX3 perovskite NCs can be ascribed to the formation of lead halide terminated surfaces, in which Cs cations are replaced by alkylammonium ions.
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100
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Gulzar U, Li T, Bai X, Colombo M, Ansaldo A, Marras S, Prato M, Goriparti S, Capiglia C, Proietti Zaccaria R. Nitrogen-Doped Single-Walled Carbon Nanohorns as a Cost-Effective Carbon Host toward High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:5551-5559. [PMID: 29359910 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b17602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Nitrogen-doped single-walled carbon nanohorns (N-SWCNHs) are porous carbon material characterized by unique horn-shape structures with high surface areas and good conductivity. Moreover, they can be mass-produced (tons/year) using a novel proprietary process technology making them an attractive material for various industrial applications. One of the applications is the encapsulation of sulfur, which turns them as promising conductive host materials for lithium-sulfur batteries. Therefore, we explore for the first time the electrochemical performance of industrially produced N-SWCNHs as a sulfur-encapsulating conductive material. Fabrication of lithium-sulfur cells based on N-SWCNHs with sulfur composite could achieve a remarkable initial gravimetric capacity of 1650 mA h g-1, namely equal to 98.5% of the theoretical capacity (1675 mA h g-1), with an exceptional sulfur content as high as 80% in weight. Using cyclic chronopotentiometry and impedance spectroscopy, we also explored the dissolution mechanism of polysulfides inside the electrolyte.
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