1
|
Javaid S, Zanoletti A, Serpe A, Bontempi E, Alessandri I, Vassalini I. Glassy Powder Derived from Waste Printed Circuit Boards for Methylene Blue Adsorption. Molecules 2024; 29:400. [PMID: 38257313 PMCID: PMC10821274 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world and Europe is classified as the first producer in terms of per capita amount. To reduce the environmental impact of e-waste, it is important to recycle it. This work shows the possibility of reusing glassy substrates, derived from the MW-assisted acidic leaching of Waste Printed Circuit Boards (WPCBs), as an adsorbent material. The results revealed an excellent adsorption capability against methylene blue (MB; aqueous solutions in the concentration range 10-5 M-2 × 10-5 M, at pH = 7.5). Comparisons were performed with reference samples such as activated carbons (ACs), the adsorbent mostly used at the industrial level; untreated PCB samples; and ground glass slides. The obtained results show that MW-treated WPCB powder outperformed both ground glass and ground untreated PCBs in MB adsorption, almost matching AC adsorption. The use of this new adsorbent obtained through the valorization of e-waste offers advantages not only in terms of cost but also in terms of environmental sustainability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saad Javaid
- Sustainable Chemistry and Materials Laboratory, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.J.); (I.A.)
| | - Alessandra Zanoletti
- Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
- Unit of National Interuniversity Consortium for Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Angela Serpe
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture (DICAAR), INSTM Unit, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy;
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering (CNR-IGAG), Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elza Bontempi
- Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy;
- Unit of National Interuniversity Consortium for Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- Sustainable Chemistry and Materials Laboratory, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.J.); (I.A.)
- Unit of National Interuniversity Consortium for Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- CNR-INO (National Research Council-National Institute of Optics), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Irene Vassalini
- Sustainable Chemistry and Materials Laboratory, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy; (S.J.); (I.A.)
- Unit of National Interuniversity Consortium for Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- CNR-INO (National Research Council-National Institute of Optics), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Vassalini I, Maddaloni M, Depedro M, De Villi A, Ferroni M, Alessandri I. From Water for Water: PEDOT:PSS-Chitosan Beads for Sustainable Dyes Adsorption. Gels 2023; 10:37. [PMID: 38247760 PMCID: PMC10815287 DOI: 10.3390/gels10010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the viability of developing chitosan-based hydrogels derived from waste shrimp shells for the removal of methylene blue and methyl orange, thereby transforming food waste into advanced materials for environmental remediation. Despite chitosan-based adsorbents being conventionally considered ideal for the removal of negative pollutants, through targeted functionalization with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) at varying concentrations, we successfully enhance the hydrogels' efficacy in also adsorbing positively charged adsorbates. Specifically, the incorporation of PEDOT:PSS at a concentration of 10% v/v emerges as a critical factor in facilitating the robust adsorption of dyes. In the case of the anionic dye methyl orange (MO, 10-5 M), the percentage of removed dye passed from 47% (for beads made of only chitosan) to 66% (for beads made of chitosan-PEDOT:PSS 10%), while, in the case of the cationic dye methylene blue (MB, 10-5 M), the percentage of removed dye passed from 52 to 100%. At the basis of this enhancement, there is an adsorption mechanism resulting from the interplay between electrostatic forces and π-π interactions. Furthermore, the synthesized functionalized hydrogels exhibit remarkable stability and reusability (at least five consecutive cycles) in the case of MB, paving the way for the development of cost-effective and sustainable adsorbents. This study highlights the potential of repurposing waste materials for environmental benefits, introducing an innovative approach to address the challenges regarding water pollution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vassalini
- Sustainable Chemistry and Materials Laboratory, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- CNR-INO, Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Marina Maddaloni
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Chemistry for Technology Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Mattia Depedro
- Sustainable Chemistry and Materials Laboratory, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alice De Villi
- Sustainable Chemistry and Materials Laboratory, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Ferroni
- Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, University of Brescia, Via Branze 43, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- CNR-IMM Bologna, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- Sustainable Chemistry and Materials Laboratory, Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali (INSTM), Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
- CNR-INO, Research Unit of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Marchesi C, Rani M, Federici S, Alessandri I, Vassalini I, Ducoli S, Borgese L, Zacco A, Núñez-Delgado A, Bontempi E, Depero LE. Quantification of ternary microplastic mixtures through an ultra-compact near-infrared spectrometer coupled with chemometric tools. Environ Res 2023; 216:114632. [PMID: 36347397 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous distribution of plastics and microplastics (MPs) and their resistance to biological and chemical decay is adversely affecting the environment. MPs are considered as emerging contaminants of concern in all the compartments, including terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments. Efficient monitoring, detection, and removal technologies require reliable methods for a qualitative and quantitative analysis of MPs, considering point-of-need testing a new evolution and a great trend at the market level. In the last years, portable spectrometers have gained popularity thanks to the excellent capability for fast and on-site measurements. Ultra-compact spectrometers coupled with chemometric tools have shown great potential in the polymer analysis, showing promising applications in the environmental field. Nevertheless, systematic studies are still required, in particular for the identification and quantification of fragments at the microscale. This study demonstrates the proof-of-concept of a Miniaturized Near-Infrared (MicroNIR) spectrometer coupled with chemometrics for the quantitative analysis of ternary mixtures of MPs. Polymers were chosen representing the three most common polymers found in the environment (polypropylene, polyethene, and polystyrene). Daily used plastic items were mechanically fragmented at laboratory scale mimicking the environmental breakdown process and creating "true-to-life" MPs for the assessment of analytical methods for MPs identification and quantification. The chemical nature of samples before and after fragmentation was checked by Raman spectroscopy. Sixty three different mixtures were prepared: 42 for the training set and 21 for the test set. Blends were investigated by the MicroNIR spectrometer, and the dataset was analysed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square (PLS) Regression. PCA score plot showed a samples distribution consistent with their composition. Quantitative analysis by PLS showed the great capability prediction of the polymer's percentage in the mixtures, with R2 greater than 0.9 for the three analytes and a low and comparable Root-Mean Square Error. In addition, the developed model was challenged with environmental weathered materials to validate the system with real plastic pollution. The findings show the feasibility of employing a portable tool in conjunction with chemometrics to quantify the most abundant forms of MPs found in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Marchesi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Monika Rani
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Stefania Federici
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Irene Vassalini
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Serena Ducoli
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Borgese
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Annalisa Zacco
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Avelino Núñez-Delgado
- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Engineering Polytech. School, Univ. Santiago de Compostela, Campus Univ, Lugo, Spain
| | - Elza Bontempi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Laura E Depero
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Alessandri I, Torricelli F, Cerea B, Speziani M, Romele P, Kovacs-Vajna ZM, Vassalini I. Why PEDOT:PSS Should Not Be Used for Raman Sensing of Redox States (and How It Could Be). ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2022; 14:56363-56373. [PMID: 36475583 PMCID: PMC9782336 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c17147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been recently proposed for Raman sensing of redox-active species in solution. Here, we investigated the rationale of this approach through systematic experiments, in which the Raman spectrum of PEDOT:PSS was analyzed in the presence of either nonoxidizing or oxidizing electrolytes. The results demonstrated that Raman spectra precisely reflect the conformation of PEDOT units and their interactions with PSS. Two different responses were observed. In the case of oxidizing electrolytes, the effect of charge transfer is accurately transduced in Raman spectrum changes. On the other hand, reduction induces a progressive separation between the PEDOT and PSS chains, which decreases their mutual interaction. This stimulus determines characteristic variations in the intensity, shape, and position of the Raman spectra. However, we demonstrated that the same effects can be obtained either by increasing the concentration of nonoxidizing electrolytes or by deprotonating PSS chains. This poses severe limitations to the use of PEDOT:PSS for this type of Raman sensing. This study allows us to revise most of the Raman results reported in the literature with a clear model, setting a new basis for investigating the dynamics of mixed electronic/ionic charge transfer in conductive polymers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ivano Alessandri
- Department
of Information Engineering, University of
Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123Brescia, Italy
- INSTM-National
Consortium for Materials Science and Technology, UdR Brescia, via Branze
38, 25123Brescia, Italy
- CNR-INO,
UdR Brescia, via Branze
38, 25123Brescia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Torricelli
- Department
of Information Engineering, University of
Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123Brescia, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cerea
- Department
of Information Engineering, University of
Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123Brescia, Italy
| | - Michele Speziani
- Department
of Information Engineering, University of
Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123Brescia, Italy
| | - Paolo Romele
- Department
of Information Engineering, University of
Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Irene Vassalini
- Department
of Information Engineering, University of
Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123Brescia, Italy
- INSTM-National
Consortium for Materials Science and Technology, UdR Brescia, via Branze
38, 25123Brescia, Italy
- CNR-INO,
UdR Brescia, via Branze
38, 25123Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Granelli R, Alessandri I, Gkoupidenis P, Vassalini I, Kovács-Vajna ZM, Blom PWM, Torricelli F. High-Performance Bioelectronic Circuits Integrated on Biodegradable and Compostable Substrates with Fully Printed Mask-Less Organic Electrochemical Transistors. Small 2022; 18:e2108077. [PMID: 35642950 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202108077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) rely on volumetric ion-modulation of the electronic current to provide low-voltage operation, large signal amplification, enhanced sensing capabilities, and seamless integration with biology. The majority of current OECT technologies require multistep photolithographic microfabrication methods on glass or plastic substrates, which do not provide an ideal path toward ultralow cost ubiquitous and sustainable electronics and bioelectronics. At the same time, the development of advanced bioelectronic circuits combining bio-detection, amplification, and local processing functionalities urgently demand for OECT technology platforms with a monolithic integration of high-performance iontronic circuits and sensors. Here, fully printed mask-less OECTs fabricated on thin-film biodegradable and compostable substrates are proposed. The dispensing and capillary printing methods are used for depositing both high- and low-viscosity OECT materials. Fully printed OECT unipolar inverter circuits with a gain normalized to the supply voltage as high as 136.6 V-1 , and current-driven sensors for ion detection and real-time monitoring with a sensitivity of up to 506 mV dec-1 , are integrated on biodegradable and compostable substrates. These universal building blocks with the top-performance ever reported demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach and can open opportunities for next-generation high-performance sustainable bioelectronics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Granelli
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | | | - Irene Vassalini
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Zsolt M Kovács-Vajna
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Paul W M Blom
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Fabrizio Torricelli
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vassalini I, Bontempi N, Federici S, Ferroni M, Gianoncelli A, Alessandri I. Cyclodextrins enable indirect ultrasensitive Raman detection of polychlorinated biphenyls captured by plasmonic bubbles. Chem Phys Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2021.138674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
|
7
|
Bontempi N, Vassalini I, Danesi S, Ferroni M, Donarelli M, Colombi P, Alessandri I. Non-Plasmonic SERS with Silicon: Is It Really Safe? New Insights into the Optothermal Properties of Core/Shell Microbeads. J Phys Chem Lett 2018; 9:2127-2132. [PMID: 29601206 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.8b00662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Silicon is one of the most interesting candidates for plasmon-free surface-enhaced Raman scattering (SERS), because of its high-refractive index and thermal stability. However, here we demonstrate that the alleged thermal stability of silicon nanoshells irradiated by conventional Raman laser cannot be taken for granted. We investigated the opto-thermal behavior of SiO2/Si core/shell microbeads (Si-rex) irradiated with three common Raman laser sources (λ = 532, 633, 785 nm) under real working conditions. We obtained an experimental proof of the critical role played by bead size and aggregation in heat and light management, demonstrating that, in the case of strong opto-thermal coupling, the temperature can exceed that of the melting points of both core and shell components. In addition, we also show that weakly coupled beads can be utilized as stable substrates for plasmon-free SERS experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Bontempi
- INSTM-UdR Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
- INO-CNR , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
| | - Irene Vassalini
- INSTM-UdR Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , University of Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
| | - Stefano Danesi
- INSTM-UdR Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering , University of Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
| | - Matteo Ferroni
- Department of Information Engineering , University of Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
- INO-CNR , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
| | - Maurizio Donarelli
- Department of Information Engineering , University of Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
| | | | - Ivano Alessandri
- INSTM-UdR Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
- Department of Information Engineering , University of Brescia , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
- INO-CNR , via Branze 38 , 25123 Brescia , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Bontempi N, Vassalini I, Danesi S, Alessandri I. ZORRO: zirconium oxide resonators for all-in-one Raman and whispering-gallery-mode optical sensing. Chem Commun (Camb) 2017; 53:10382-10385. [PMID: 28875183 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc06357a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We report the observation of whispering-gallery modes in 2 μm-sized SiO2/ZrO2 core/shell beads utilized as all-dielectric Raman enhancers. This allows us to achieve simultaneous optical and Raman ultrasensitive detection with a single spectral analysis. This opportunity opens exciting perspectives for the multimodal chemical sensing and fabrication of optical fiber devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Bontempi
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - I Vassalini
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - S Danesi
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - I Alessandri
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vassalini I, Alessandri I. "The phactalysts": carbon nanotube/TiO 2 composites as phototropic actuators for wireless remote triggering of chemical reactions and catalysis. Nanoscale 2017; 9:11446-11451. [PMID: 28786458 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr05104b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A new concept of a reconfigurable smart catalyst was developed from the synergistic combination of polycarbonate/carbon nanotube bimorph photoactuators and TiO2. The addition of TiO2 provides the photoactuators with photocatalytic activity and superior opto-mechanical properties, making phototropic actuation fast, reversible and responsive to Vis-NIR light sources. These composites were tested in the wireless, light-driven and spatially controlled remote triggering of different chemical reactions, including local explosions and photocatalytic polymerizations. The same materials were also investigated as efficient opto-mechanical shutters for the light-selective inhibition or activation of specific reactions, such as the photo-induced degradation of organic dyes. These results suggest that the integration of photocatalysts with soft photoactuators can open intriguing opportunities for chemistry and soft robotics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vassalini
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Brescia, via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Vassalini I, Borgese L, Mariz M, Polizzi S, Aquilanti G, Ghigna P, Sartorel A, Amendola V, Alessandri I. Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution in Au-Fe Nanoalloys. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201703387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vassalini
- INSTM and University of Brescia; Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department (DIMI); via Branze 38 25123 Brescia Italy
| | - Laura Borgese
- INSTM and University of Brescia; Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department (DIMI); via Branze 38 25123 Brescia Italy
| | - Michele Mariz
- INSTM and Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Stefano Polizzi
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems; Centro di Microscopia Elettronica G. Stevanato; Università Ca' Foscari Venezia and INSTM UdR Venezia; 30172 Venezia-Mestre Italy
| | - Giuliana Aquilanti
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste; s.s. 14, km 163.5 34149 Basovizza, Trieste Italy
| | - Paolo Ghigna
- INSTM and Department of Chemistry; University of Pavia; viale Taramelli 13 27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Andrea Sartorel
- INSTM and Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Vincenzo Amendola
- INSTM and Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- INSTM and University of Brescia; Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department (DIMI); via Branze 38 25123 Brescia Italy
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Vassalini I, Borgese L, Mariz M, Polizzi S, Aquilanti G, Ghigna P, Sartorel A, Amendola V, Alessandri I. Enhanced Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution in Au-Fe Nanoalloys. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:6589-6593. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.201703387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vassalini
- INSTM and University of Brescia; Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department (DIMI); via Branze 38 25123 Brescia Italy
| | - Laura Borgese
- INSTM and University of Brescia; Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department (DIMI); via Branze 38 25123 Brescia Italy
| | - Michele Mariz
- INSTM and Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Stefano Polizzi
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems; Centro di Microscopia Elettronica G. Stevanato; Università Ca' Foscari Venezia and INSTM UdR Venezia; 30172 Venezia-Mestre Italy
| | - Giuliana Aquilanti
- Elettra-Sincrotrone Trieste; s.s. 14, km 163.5 34149 Basovizza, Trieste Italy
| | - Paolo Ghigna
- INSTM and Department of Chemistry; University of Pavia; viale Taramelli 13 27100 Pavia Italy
| | - Andrea Sartorel
- INSTM and Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Vincenzo Amendola
- INSTM and Department of Chemical Sciences; University of Padova; via Marzolo 1 35131 Padova Italy
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- INSTM and University of Brescia; Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department (DIMI); via Branze 38 25123 Brescia Italy
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Vassalini I, Alessandri I. Spatial and Temporal Control of Information Storage in Cellulose by Chemically Activated Oscillations. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2015; 7:28708-28713. [PMID: 26654462 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b11857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Chemical oscillations are exploited to achieve self-expiring graphical information on paper-based supports with precise temporal and spatial control. Writing and self-erasing processes are chemically activated by exciting nonoscillating Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) solutions infiltrated in cellulose paper filters. Exhausted supports can be reactivated many times by adding new BZ medium. Different parameters can be independently controlled to program mono- or multipaced information storage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vassalini
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Brescia , via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, University of Brescia , via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Vassalini I, Rotunno E, Lazzarini L, Alessandri I. "Stainless" Gold Nanorods: Preserving Shape, Optical Properties, and SERS Activity in Oxidative Environment. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2015; 7:18794-18802. [PMID: 26259045 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b07175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
One of the main limitations to the application of gold nanorods (Au NRs) as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probes for in situ monitoring of chemical processes is their instability in oxidative environments. Oxidation induces progressive anisotropic shortening of the NRs, which are eventually dissolved once this process has been completed. This paper compares two types of Au NRs, obtained through different routes and characterized by similar aspect ratios but different sizes. The key factors influencing the resistance of Au NRs to oxidation were systematically investigated, showing that the reduction of free bromide species and the increase of the particle size allowed the NRs to maintain their stability under harsh environments for several weeks. The most stable Au NRs were also demonstrated to be highly efficient SERS substrates in a series of Raman experiments involving molecular probes, treated under either oxidizing or nonoxidizing conditions, which simulate the oxidation of organic pollutants in water. These hallmarks make these "stainless" Au NRs attractive tools for ultrasensitive diagnostic under real working conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irene Vassalini
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Department, University of Brescia , Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Enzo Rotunno
- IMEM-CNR , Parco Area delle Scienze 37/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Lazzarini
- IMEM-CNR , Parco Area delle Scienze 37/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Mechanical and Industrial Department, University of Brescia , Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|