Publications

Thin films of carbon were synthesized by ns pulsed laser deposition in vacuum on silicon substrates, starting from graphite targets. Further on, the films were irradiated with a picosecond laser source emitting in visible at 532 nm. After tuning of laser parameters, we obtained a film surface covered by laser induced periodical surface structures (LIPSS). They were investigated by optical, scanning electron and atomic force microscopy. It was observed that changing the irradiation angle influences the LIPSS covered area. At high magnification it was revealed that the LIPSS pattern was quite complex, being composed of other small LIPSS islands, interconnected by bridges of nanoparticles. Raman spectra for the non-irradiated carbon films were typical for a-C type of diamond-like carbon, while the LIPSS spectra were characteristic to nano-graphite. The pristine carbon film was hydrophilic, while the LIPSS covered film surface was hydrophobic. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We report on the selection by combinatorial pulsed laser deposition of Silver-doped Carbon structures with reliable physical-chemical characteristics and high efficiency against microbial biofilms. The investigation of the films was performed by scanning electron microscopy, high resolution atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, bonding strength "pull-out" tests, and surface energy measurements. In vitro biological assays were carried out using a large spectrum of bacterial and fungal strains, i.e., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Candida albicans. The biocompatibility of the films obtained was evaluated on MG63 mammalian cell cultures. The optimal combination with reasonable physical-chemical properties, efficient protection against microbial colonization and beneficial effects on human cells was found for Silver-doped Carbon films containing 2 to 7 at.% silver. These mixtures can be used to fabricate safe and efficient coatings of metallic implants, with the goal to decrease the risk of implant associated biofilm infections which are difficult to treat and often responsible for implant failure. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Czochralski growth along with linear optical characterizations and near-infrared laser performances of ytterbium doped lanthanum and gadolinium scandium borate crystals (LaxGdYScZYbw(BO3)(4) with x + y + z + w = 4) with acentric huntite-type structure are presented in this paper. Low-temperature spectroscopy analyses reveal two insertion sites for Yb3+ ions: a main one in Sc sites and the other one in lanthanide site. While absorption cross-section spectrum reveals broad bands with a maximum value of 7.8 x 10(-21) cm(2) at 981.5 nm for the s state of polarization, the emission cross-section spectrum presents low anisotropy between the two polarization states over 1060 nm. Best laser performance is obtained in continuous-wave operation mode with 0.94W at 1070 nm for a 12.9-at% doped crystal. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We monitored the evolution in time of pinhole-free structures based on FTO/TiO2/CH3NH3PbI2.6Cl0.4 layers, with and without spiro-OMeTAD and counter electrodes (Ag, Mo/Ag, and Au), aged at 24 degrees C in a dark nitrogen atmosphere. In the absence of electrodes, no degradation occurs. While devices with Au show only a 10% drop in power conversion efficiency, remaining stable after a further overheating at 70 degrees C, >90% is lost when using Ag, with the process being slower for Mo/Ag. We demonstrate that iodine is dislocated by the electric field between the electrodes, and this is an intrinsic cause for electromigration of I- from the perovskite until it reaches the anode. The iodine exhaustion in the perovskite layer is produced when using Ag electrodes, and AgI is formed. We hypothesize that in the presence of Au the iodine migration is limited due to the buildup of I- negative space charge accumulated at the perovskite-OMeTAD interface.

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopic studies reveal a particular chemical interaction of the polyaniline/fullerene (PANI/C-60) composite with N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). The chemical polymerization of aniline in the presence of sulfuric acid, potassium dichromate and fullerene has been used for the preparation of the PANI/C-60 composite. The polymerization reaction involves a doping of PANI with C-60 anion radicals. The interaction of the composite with NMP leads to a de-doping of PANI that involves a transformation of leucoemeraldine salt (LS) repeating units into leucoemeraldine base (LB). Additionally, a gradual increasing in the intensity of the Raman line at 1452 cm(-1) associated to the A(g)(2) pentagonal pinch mode of fullerene and a decrease in the intensity of the Raman lines of PANI are reported. This change arises from the formation of a charge-transfer complex C-60-NMP. The subsequent chemical treatment of PANI-LB with FeCl3 leads to the formation PANI-emeraldine salt. An inhibition of the transformation of PANI doped with C-60 anion radicals into a PANI-LB and the C-60-NMP charge transfer complex in the presence of CdS particles dispersed in NMP is demonstrated by SERS spectroscopy. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We have studied the light emission properties of aged glassy (g-) and crystalline (c-) As2S3 and freshly fractured glassy As2S3 with photosensitive realgar inclusions in the 1.5-4.5 eV spectral range and applying different excitation photon energies. Additionally, Raman scattering measurements were performed on g-As40S60 to investigate structural changes caused by corrosion of the glass in air. Major features in the luminescence spectra were observed at 1.65,1.87, 2.04, 226, 2.80 and 325 eV photon energies. The 1.65 eV band in photoluminescence spectra of g-As2S3 was identified to be related to the As side by comparison of the photoluminescence spectrum with literature data for As4S4 realgar crystal. A newly observed band at 1.87 eV was assigned to the As side in pararealgar occurring due to the light induced transformation from realgar to pararealgar phase. An oxidation process was found to take place during the aging and photo-aging accompanied with formation of As oxides, indicated by the emission bands at 2.04 and 226 eV. A rapid photo-oxidation process was observed in freshly fractured surfaces at room temperature which was connected with the light stimulated realgar-pararealgar transformation. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We report on the design, realization, and output performance of a diode-pumped high-peak-power passively Q-switched Nd:YAG/Cr4+:YAG composite medium monolithic laser with four-beam output. The energy of a laser pulse was higher than 3 mJ with duration of 0.9 ns. The proposed system has the ability to choose independently the focus of each beam. Such a laser device can be used for multipoint ignition of an automobile gasoline engine, but could also be of interest for ignition in space propulsion or in turbulent conditions specific to aeronautics. (C) 2016 Chinese Laser Press

The crystallization process of Yb3+/Er3+ codoped LiYF4 nanoparticles obtained by sol-gel method was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Thermal data obtained from differential scanning calorimetry measurements under non-isothermal conditions at different heating rates were examined using both model-free and model fitting approaches. It was shown that LiYF4 phase crystallization occurs at around 383 degrees C as a result of the thermal decomposition of trifluoracetates and is shifted to higher temperatures as the heating rate increases. Both Friedman and Ozawa-Flynn-Wall analyses have indicated that the activation energy and pre-exponential factor decrease slightly as the crystallization proceeds. According to the model-fitting approach (by using extended Prout-Tompkins nth-order, ath autocatalysis reaction), LiYF4 nanocrystalline phase is the result of an autocatalytic process where a second metastable phase YF3 acts as a catalyst that accelerates the crystallization process of the LiYF4 phase. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Self-passivating tungsten based alloys for the first wall armour of future fusion reactors are expected to provide a major safety advantage compared to pure tungsten in case of a loss of coolant accident with simultaneous air ingress, due to the formation of a stable protective scale at high temperatures in presence of oxygen which prevents the formation of volatile and radioactive WO3. Bulk W-15Cr, W-10Cr-2Ti and W-12Cr-0.5Y alloys were manufactured by mechanical alloying followed by can encapsulation and HIP. This route resulted in fully dense materials with nano-structured grains. The ability of Ti and especially of Y to inhibit grain growth was observed in the W-10Cr-2Ti and W-12Cr-0.5Y alloys. Besides, Y formed Y-rich oxide nano-precipitates at the grain boundaries, and is thus expected to improve the mechanical behaviour of the Y-containing alloy. Isothermal oxidation tests at 800 degrees C (1073 K) and oxidation tests under accident-like conditions revealed that the W-12Cr-0.5Y alloy exhibits the best oxidation behaviour of all alloys, especially in the accident-like scenario. Preliminary HHF tests performed at GLADIS indicated that the W-10Cr-2Ti alloy is able to withstand power densities of 2 MW/m(2) without significant damage of the bulk structure. Thermo-shock tests at JUDITH-1 to simulate mitigated disruptions resulted in chipping of part of the surface of the as-HIPed W-10Cr-2Ti alloy. An additional thermal treatment at 1600 degrees C (1873 K) improves the thermo-shock resistance of the W-10Cr-2Ti alloy since only crack formation is observed. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.