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Lasemi N, Wicht T, Bernardi J, Liedl G, Rupprechter G. Defect-Rich CuZn Nanoparticles for Model Catalysis Produced by Femtosecond Laser Ablation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024. [PMID: 38934369 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c07766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Femtosecond laser ablation of Cu0.70Zn0.30 targets in ethanol led to the formation of periodic surface nanostructures and crystalline CuZn alloy nanoparticles with defects, low-coordinated surface sites, and, controlled by the applied laser fluence, different sizes and elemental composition. The Cu/Zn ratio of the nanoparticles was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. The CuZn nanoparticles were about 2-3 nm in size, and Cu-rich, varying between 70 and 95%. Increasing the laser fluence from 1.6 to 3.2 J cm-2 yielded larger particles, more stacking fault defects, and repeated nanotwinning, as evident from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, aided by (inverse) fast Fourier transform analysis. This is due to the higher plasma temperature, leading to increased random collisions/diffusion of primary nanoparticles and their incomplete ordering due to immediate solidification typical of ultrashort pulses. The femtosecond laser-synthesized often nanotwinned CuZn nanoparticles were supported on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and applied for ethylene hydrogenation, demonstrating their promising potential as model catalysts. Nanoparticles produced at 3.2 J cm-2 exhibited lower catalytic activity than those made at 2.7 J cm-2. Presumably, agglomeration/aggregation of especially 2-3 nm sized nanoparticles, as observed by postreaction analysis, resulted in a decrease in the surface area to volume ratio and thus in the number of low-coordinated active sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niusha Lasemi
- Institute of Materials Chemistry, TU Wien, 1060 Wien, Austria
| | - Thomas Wicht
- Institute of Materials Chemistry, TU Wien, 1060 Wien, Austria
| | - Johannes Bernardi
- University Service Center for Transmission Electron Microscopy, TU Wien, 1020 Wien, Austria
| | - Gerhard Liedl
- Institute of Production Engineering and Photonic Technologies, TU Wien, 1060 Wien, Austria
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Bauer EM, Bogliardi G, Ricci C, Cecchetti D, De Caro T, Sennato S, Nucara A, Carbone M. Syntheses of APTMS-Coated ZnO: An Investigation towards Penconazole Detection. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:8050. [PMID: 36431536 PMCID: PMC9697174 DOI: 10.3390/ma15228050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Extrinsic chemiluminescence can be an efficient tool for determining pesticides and fungicides, which do not possess any intrinsic fluorescent signal. On this basis, (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APTMS)-coated ZnO (APTMS@ZnO) was synthesized and tested as an extrinsic probe for the fungicide penconazole. Several synthetic routes were probed using either a one-pot or two-steps method, in order to ensure both a green synthetic pathway and a good signal variation for the penconazole concentration. The synthesized samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR), Raman and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and associated energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The average size of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) is 54 ± 10 nm, in line with previous preparations. Of all the samples, those synthesized in two steps, at temperatures ranging from room temperature (RT) to a maximum of 40 °C, using water solvent (G-APTMG@ZnO), appeared to be composed of nanoparticles, homogeneously coated with APTMS. Chemiluminescence tests of G-APTMG@ZnO, in the penconazole concentration range 0.7-1.7 ppm resulted in a quenching of the native signal between 6% and 19% with a good linear response, thus indicating a green pathway for detecting the contaminant. The estimated detection limit (LOD) is 0.1 ± 0.01 ppm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvira Maria Bauer
- Institute of Structure of Matter, Italian National Research Council (ISM-CNR), Via Salaria km 29.3, 00015 Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Gabriele Bogliardi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Cosimo Ricci
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Daniele Cecchetti
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Tilde De Caro
- Institute of Nanostructure Materials, National Research Council (ISMN-CNR), Via Salaria km 29.3, 00015 Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Simona Sennato
- Institute of Complex Systems, Italian National Research Council (ISC-CNR) Sapienza Unit, and Physics Department, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Alessandro Nucara
- Department of Physics, Sapienza University, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, RM, Italy
| | - Marilena Carbone
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, RM, Italy
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Gontrani L, Tagliatesta P, Donia DT, Bauer EM, Bonomo M, Carbone M. Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Inorganic Materials Using Environmentally Friendly Media. Molecules 2022; 27:2045. [PMID: 35408444 PMCID: PMC9000861 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Deep Eutectic Solvents have gained a lot of attention in the last few years because of their vast applicability in a large number of technological processes, the simplicity of their preparation and their high biocompatibility and harmlessness. One of the fields where DES prove to be particularly valuable is the synthesis and modification of inorganic materials-in particular, nanoparticles. In this field, the inherent structural inhomogeneity of DES results in a marked templating effect, which has led to an increasing number of studies focusing on exploiting these new reaction media to prepare nanomaterials. This review aims to provide a summary of the numerous and most recent achievements made in this area, reporting several examples of the newest mixtures obtained by mixing molecules originating from natural feedstocks, as well as linking them to the more consolidated methods that use "classical" DES, such as reline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Gontrani
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
| | - Pietro Tagliatesta
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Domenica Tommasa Donia
- Department of Surgical Science, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Elvira Maria Bauer
- Italian National Research Council-Institute of Structure of Matter (CNR-ISM), Via Salaria km 29.3, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy;
| | - Matteo Bonomo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, P.le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Department of Chemistry, NIS Interdepartmental Centre and INSTM Reference Centre, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Marilena Carbone
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
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Abstract
Personal, portable, and wearable electronics have become items of extensive use in daily life. Their fabrication requires flexible electronic components with high storage capability or with continuous power supplies (such as solar cells). In addition, formerly rigid tools such as electrochromic windows find new utilizations if they are fabricated with flexible characteristics. Flexibility and performances are determined by the material composition and fabrication procedures. In this regard, low-cost, easy-to-handle materials and processes are an asset in the overall production processes and items fruition. In the present mini-review, the most recent approaches are described in the production of flexible electronic devices based on NiO as low-cost material enhancing the overall performances. In particular, flexible NiO-based all-solid-state supercapacitors, electrodes electrochromic devices, temperature devices, and ReRAM are discussed, thus showing the potential of NiO as material for future developments in opto-electronic devices.
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Gontrani L, Pulci O, Carbone M, Pizzoferrato R, Prosposito P. Detection of Heavy Metals in Water Using Graphene Oxide Quantum Dots: An Experimental and Theoretical Study. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185519. [PMID: 34576990 PMCID: PMC8467530 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we investigate by ab initio calculations and optical experiments the sensitivity of graphene quantum dots in their use as devices to measure the presence, and concentration, of heavy metals in water. We demonstrate that the quenching or enhancement in the optical response (absorption, emission) depends on the metallic ion considered. In particular, two cases of opposite behaviour are considered in detail: Cd2+, where we observe an increase in the emission optical response for increasing concentration, and Pb2+ whose emission spectra, vice versa, are quenched along the concentration rise. The experimental trends reported comply nicely with the different hydration patterns suggested by the models that are also capable of reproducing the minor quenching/enhancing effects observed in other ions. We envisage that quantum dots of graphene may be routinely used as cheap detectors to measure the degree of poisoning ions in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Gontrani
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (R.P.)
| | - Olivia Pulci
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Roma, Italy;
| | - Marilena Carbone
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Roma, Italy;
| | - Roberto Pizzoferrato
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Roma, Italy;
- Correspondence: (L.G.); (R.P.)
| | - Paolo Prosposito
- Dipartimento di Ingegneria Industriale, Università di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Roma, Italy;
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Vavouraki AI, Gounaki I, Venieri D. Properties of Inorganic Polymers Based on Ground Waste Concrete Containing CuO and ZnO Nanoparticles. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13172871. [PMID: 34502911 PMCID: PMC8433799 DOI: 10.3390/polym13172871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on the mechanical and thermal properties of ground waste concrete inorganic polymers (GWC IPs) has been investigated. NPs are added to GWC IPs at loadings of 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2% w/w. The phase composition and microstructure of NPs GWC IPs have also been examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM/EDS) techniques. Results show that the mechanical properties of GWC IPs are improved (23 MPa) due to addition of NPs (1% ZnO). In particular, GWC IPs embedded with 0.5% CuO and 1% ZnO NPs exhibited relatively improved compressive strength. The addition of NPs decreases the macroporosity and increases the mesoporosity of IPs matrix and decreases relatively the ability of IPs matrix to water absorption. The antimicrobial activity of GWC IPs doped with 0.5 and 1% CuO NPs against E. coli was also determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini I. Vavouraki
- School of Mineral Resources Engineering, University Campus, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100 Chania, Greece
- Department of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Science, Hellenic Mediterranean University, GR-71004 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Iosifina Gounaki
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University Campus, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100 Chania, Greece; (I.G.); (D.V.)
| | - Danae Venieri
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University Campus, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100 Chania, Greece; (I.G.); (D.V.)
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Abstract
ZnO has many technological applications which largely depend on its properties, which can be tuned by controlled synthesis. Ideally, the most convenient ZnO synthesis is carried out at room temperature in an aqueous solvent. However, the correct temperature values are often loosely defined. In the current paper, we performed the synthesis of ZnO in an aqueous solvent by varying the reaction and drying temperatures by 10 °C steps, and we monitored the synthesis products primarily by XRD). We found out that a simple direct synthesis of ZnO, without additional surfactant, pumping, or freezing, required both a reaction (TP) and a drying (TD) temperature of 40 °C. Higher temperatures also afforded ZnO, but lowering any of the TP or TD below the threshold value resulted either in the achievement of Zn(OH)2 or a mixture of Zn(OH)2/ZnO. A more detailed Rietveld analysis of the ZnO samples revealed a density variation of about 4% (5.44 to 5.68 gcm−3) with the synthesis temperature, and an increase of the nanoparticles’ average size, which was also verified by SEM images. The average size of the ZnO synthesized at TP = TD = 40 °C was 42 nm, as estimated by XRD, and 53 ± 10 nm, as estimated by SEM. For higher synthesis temperatures, they vary between 76 nm and 71 nm (XRD estimate) or 65 ± 12 nm and 69 ± 11 nm (SEM estimate) for TP = 50 °C, TD = 40 °C, or TP = TD = 60 °C, respectively. At TP = TD = 30 °C, micrometric structures aggregated in foils are obtained, which segregate nanoparticles of ZnO if TD is raised to 40 °C. The optical properties of ZnO obtained by UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy indicate a red shift of the band gap by ~0.1 eV.
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NiO Pseudocapacitance and Optical Properties: Does The Shape Win? MATERIALS 2020; 13:ma13061417. [PMID: 32245018 PMCID: PMC7142826 DOI: 10.3390/ma13061417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
In the present paper, we investigate the effects of alkali and operational temperature on NiO capacitive and optical properties. The NiO samples were prepared by a straightforward, surfactant-free hydrothermal synthesis, employing Ni(NO3)2 and either urea or moderately sterically hindered triethylamine (TEA). The syntheses were followed by calcinations at either 400 or 600 °C. NiO samples were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption isotherms. The optical properties were investigated by reflectance spectroscopy, and the pseudocapacitance was studied by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge charge-discharge measurements. We found that the synthesis with TEA yielded nanoflowers whereas the morphology of the synthesis with urea varied with the calcination temperature and resulted in nanoparticles or nanoslices at calcination temperatures of 400 and 600 °C, respectively. The NiO samples prepared at a lower temperature displayed a favorable combination of surface area and porosity that allowed for high performance with capacitances of 502 and 520 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 for nanoflowers and nanoparticles, respectively. The band gaps of all the samples were compatible with the estimated nanoparticle sizes. Finally, we used the synthesized NiO samples for the preparation of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) modified by drop-casting and probed them against a [Fe(CN)6]3−/4− probe.
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Azeredo HMC, Otoni CG, Corrêa DS, Assis OBG, Moura MR, Mattoso LHC. Nanostructured Antimicrobials in Food Packaging—Recent Advances. Biotechnol J 2019; 14:e1900068. [DOI: 10.1002/biot.201900068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Henriette M. C. Azeredo
- Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical Fortaleza Ceará Brazil
- Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia para o Agronegócio (LNNA)Embrapa Instrumentação São Carlos São Paulo Brazil
| | - Caio G. Otoni
- Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia para o Agronegócio (LNNA)Embrapa Instrumentação São Carlos São Paulo Brazil
- Institute of ChemistryUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas São Paulo Brazil
| | - Daniel S. Corrêa
- Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia para o Agronegócio (LNNA)Embrapa Instrumentação São Carlos São Paulo Brazil
| | - Odílio B. G. Assis
- Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia para o Agronegócio (LNNA)Embrapa Instrumentação São Carlos São Paulo Brazil
| | - Márcia R. Moura
- Department of Physics and ChemistryFaculty of EngineeringSão Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP) Ilha Solteira São Paulo Brazil
| | - Luiz Henrique C. Mattoso
- Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia para o Agronegócio (LNNA)Embrapa Instrumentação São Carlos São Paulo Brazil
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