National Institute Of Materials Physics - Romania

The synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from high molecular weight biomass-derived precursors poses a significant challenge due to the complex molecular structures and low conversion efficiency. This work demonstrates a green, rapid, and sustainable continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (CHFS) approach for nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) from various biomass-derived precursors, including high molecular weight polymeric sources like chitosan, lignin, and humic acid. We find that the precursor structure significantly impacts the size of the fabricated NCQDs and their optical properties. Citric acid, a low molecular weight precursor, yields NCQDs with excitation-independent emission, higher quantum yields, and low non-radiative losses, while NCQDs derived from polymeric precursors exhibit excitation-dependent, red-shifted, and lower efficiency emission. Theoretical calculations, performed to understand the configuration and distribution of nitrogen dopants within the NCQD structure, show that pyridinic and graphitic nitrogen atoms exhibit a strong preference to aggregate near the centre of the edge of the NCQD and not in the vertices nor in the graphitic core, thus affecting the HOMO and LUMO, bandgap, and light absorption and emission wavelengths. The life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis highlights the green and scalable advantages of the CHFS process for producing NCQDs compared to batch methods, making it a sustainable and economically viable approach for large-scale NCQD synthesis from high molecular weight biomass-derived precursors. Hence, the combination of experimental data and theoretical calculations provides a comprehensive understanding of the structure-property relationships in these NCQDs.

This research targets the need for eco-friendly strategies in the synthesis of bioactive materials, addressing the importance of valorization of vegetal waste. This study focuses on developing biohybrids containing biomimetic lipid vesicles and phytosynthesized gold-silver chloride nanoparticles (AuAgCl NPs) derived from Achillea millefolium L. extract. By leveraging the natural antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the plant, the research proposes a sustainable approach to creating materials with potential biomedical applications. The biomimetic membranes were loaded with chlorophyll a, a natural spectral marker. Three types of bioactive materials (biohybrids) were developed by varying the lipid vesicle/AuAgCl NP ratio. Optical (UV-Vis, fluorescence emission, FTIR), structural (XRD), elemental (EDX, XPS), and morphological (TEM) studies were performed to characterize the bio-developed materials. The hydrophobic/hydrophilic characteristics of the samples were investigated by measuring the water contact angle, and their size was estimated by DLS and TEM. Zeta potential measurements were used to evaluate the physical stability of phyto-developed particles. Antioxidant properties of phyto-particles were investigated through the chemiluminescence technique. The obtained biomaterials exhibited high antioxidant activity and antiproliferative activity against HT-29 and B-16 cancer cells. Therapeutic index values were calculated for each biohybrid. Additionally, the bio-prepared hybrids revealed biocidal action against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. The phyto-developed biomaterials are promising in biomedical applications, particularly as adjuvants in cancer therapy.

This work examines the effect of incorporating a third cation M (M = Mg, Al, Mn, or Fe) into Nb-promoted NiO catalysts (Ni0.85Nb0.15O) on their physicochemical properties and catalytic performance in the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane into ethylene. Therefore, a series of mixed oxides with the composition Ni0.765Nb0.135M0.1O was synthesized, characterized, and analyzed for catalytic behavior. The addition of the third cation markedly modified the redox and semiconductive properties of the catalysts, thus affecting their ODH performance. The selectivity toward ethylene was strongly dependent on the cation modifier, as it modulated the density of nonselective sites on the catalyst surface. In the low-temperature region, Mn-NiNbO demonstrated the highest conversion rates but with the lowest ethylene selectivity, whereas Fe-NiNbO, despite being less active than the undoped NiNbO, exhibited the highest ethylene selectivity. Overall, undoped NiNbO emerged as the best catalyst in terms of both activity and selectivity at isoconversion. All catalysts underwent partial reduction under reaction conditions, with the degree of reduction inversely correlated with the specific reaction rates. Although none of the catalysts remained stable at 400 degrees C, Al-NiNbO showed the least deactivation over time. The deactivation was linked to a reduction in p-type conductivity and a loss of redox functionality during operation.

Atomically clean SrTiO3(001) is characterized by low energy electron diffraction, core level and valence band photoelectron spectroscopy, the latter also with spin resolution. Samples prepared by a sputtering-annealing procedure exhibited in-gap states in the valence band spectra, Ti3+ components in Ti 2p core level spectra and a noticeable spin asymmetry in the 3-9 eV binding energy range, which corresponds to valence states of mainly O 2p character. Upon annealing in oxygen, the spin asymmetry vanishes, accompanied by the intensity decrease of the contribution of titanium low ionization states and of in-gap states, indicating that these three phenomena are mutually connected. The observed spin asymmetry may be generated by indirect exchange mediated by the in-gap states between O 2p orbitals, or by the partial Ti 3d character of these states, which acquire non-zero spin in case of incomplete oxygen coordination.

A series of M(x)CoCeMgAlO mixed oxides with different transition metals (M = Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni) with an M content x = 3 at. %, and another series of Fe(x)CoCeMgAlO mixed oxides with Fe contents x ranging from 1 to 9 at. % with respect to cations, while keeping constant in both cases 40 at. % Co, 10 at. % Ce and Mg/Al atomic ratio of 3 were prepared via thermal decomposition at 750 degrees C in air of their corresponding layered double hydroxide (LDH) precursors obtained by coprecipitation. They were tested in a fixed bed reactor for complete methane oxidation with a gas feed of 1 vol.% methane in air to evaluate their catalytic performance. The physico-structural properties of the mixed oxide samples were investigated with several techniques, such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), elemental mappings, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), temperature-programmed reduction under hydrogen (H2-TPR) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption at -196 degrees C. XRD analysis revealed in all the samples the presence of Co3O4 crystallites together with periclase-like and CeO2 phases, with no separate M-based oxide phase. All the cations were distributed homogeneously, as suggested by EDX measurements and elemental mappings of the samples. The metal contents, determined by EDX and ICP-OES, were in accordance with the theoretical values set for the catalysts' preparation. The redox properties studied by H2-TPR, along with the surface composition determined by XPS, provided information to elucidate the catalytic combustion properties of the studied mixed oxide materials. The methane combustion tests showed that all the M-promoted CoCeMgAlO mixed oxides were more active than the M-free counterpart, the highest promoting effect being observed for Fe as the doping transition metal. The Fe(x)CoCeMgAlO mixed oxide sample, with x = 3 at. % Fe displayed the highest catalytic activity for methane combustion with a temperature corresponding to 50% methane conversion, T50, of 489 degrees C, which is ca. 40 degrees C lower than that of the unpromoted catalyst. This was attributed to its superior redox properties and lowest activation energy among the studied catalysts, likely due to a Fe-Co-Ce synergistic interaction. In addition, long-term tests of Fe(3)CoCeMgAlO mixed oxide were performed, showing good stability over 60 h on-stream. On the other hand, the addition of water vapors in the feed led to textural and structural changes in the Fe(3)CoCeMgAlO system, affecting its catalytic performance in methane complete oxidation. At the same time, the catalyst showed relatively good recovery of its catalytic activity as soon as the water vapors were removed from the feed.

The fractal characterization of supported nanoparticles is a useful tool for obtaining structural and morphological information that strongly impacts catalytic properties. We have synthesized and characterized Pt supported on TiO2 nanostructures. Triblock copolymers with thermosensitive properties were used as templating agents during the synthesis process. In addition to the several techniques used for the characterization of the materials, we carried out fractal analysis. The prepared materials showed a reduction in the band gap of TiO2 from 3.44 to 3.01 eV. The extended absorption in the 500-700 nm regions is mostly attributed to the presence of supported Pt nanoparticles. The ability of the nanostructured Pt/TiO2 catalysts to generate H-2 in an aqueous solution was evaluated. The test reaction was carried out in the presence of methanol, as a hole scavenger, under simulated solar light. Pt/TiO2-3TB shows the highest rate of H-2 (4.17 mmol h(-1) g(cat)(-1)) when compared to Pt/TiO2-0TB (3.65 mmol h(-1) g(cat)(-1)) and Pt/TiO2-6TB (2.29 mmol h(-1) g(cat)(-1)) during simulated solar light irradiation. Pt/TiO2-3TB exhibits a more structured organization (fractal dimensions of 1.65-1.74 nm at short scales, 1.27-1.30 nm at long scales) and a distinct fractal behavior. The generation of hydrogen via photocatalysis can be linked to the fractal characteristics.

Ca- and Cu-decorated TiO2 microparticles are titanium dioxide nanoparticles that have been decorated with calcium and copper ions. TiO2, CaO, and CuO are low-cost, non-toxic, and non-hazardous materials. The aim of the present study was the physicochemical characterization of Ca- and Cu-decorated TiO2 microparticles and the evaluation of their antimicrobial activity. Thus, Ca2+ and Cu2+ species were incorporated onto TiO2 surfaces by a two-step wet method. The obtained TiO2-CaO-CuO composites were characterized by several experimental techniques. The electronic structure and charge properties of the composites were investigated by density functional theory calculations. Furthermore, the composites were successfully tested for inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans standard strains. The zeta potential data indicate that the physiological condition of investigated microbial strains was strongly affected in presence of a dispersion of 10 mu g/L of composites in a saline phosphate buffer also, the recorded SEM images show a damaged microbial cell surface in the presence of composites.

The development of two-dimensional (2D) materials has gained significant attention due to their unique properties and potential applications in advanced electronics. This study investigates the fabrication and characterization of Fe-doped SnSe semiconductors using an optimized chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Fe doping was achieved by dissolving FeCl3 in deionized water, applying it to SnSe powder, and conducting vacuum drying followed by high-temperature CVD at 820 degrees C. Structural and morphological properties were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Results revealed differently shaped flakes, including rectangles, discs and wires, influenced by Fe content. Micro-Raman spectroscopy showed significant vibrational mode shifts, indicating structural changes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the presence of Sn-Se and Fe-Se bonds. Electrical characterization of the memristive devices showed stable switching between high- and low-resistance states, with a threshold voltage of 1.6 V. These findings suggest that Fe-doped SnSe is a promising material for non-volatile memory and neuromorphic computing applications.

In this paper, we present for the first time the development of zinc-doped hydroxyapatite enriched with tetracycline (ZnHApTe) powders and provide a comprehensive evaluation of their physico-chemical and biological properties. Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for the sample's complex evaluation. Moreover, the biocompatibility of zinc-doped hydroxyapatite (ZnHAp) and ZnHApTe nanoparticles was evaluated with the aid of human fetal osteoblastic cells (hFOB 1.19 cell line). The results of the biological assays suggested that these nanoparticles hold great promise as potential candidates for the future development of novel biocompatible and antimicrobial agents for biomedical applications. The antimicrobial properties of the ZnHAp and ZnHApTe nanoparticles were assessed using the standard reference microbial strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231. The results of the in vitro antimicrobial assay demonstrated that both tested materials exhibited good antimicrobial activity. Additionally, these data also indicated that the antimicrobial effects of the ZnHAp nanoparticles were intensified by the presence of tetracycline (Te). Furthermore, the results also suggested that the antimicrobial activity of the samples increased with the incubation time.

Adsorption and desorption of ethylene on BaO-terminated (001) barium titanate are investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Carbon is found in an oxidized state, at a binding energy similar to that resulting from CO adsorption on BaTiO3(001). The amount of carbon adsorbed on the surface is also similar to the case of CO/BaTiO3(001). Upon heating the substrate up to the loss of its ferroelectric polarization, the C 1s signal from the oxidized spectral region vanishes. At the same time, there was no noticeable oxygen depletion of the surface after repeated C2H4 adsorption and desorption. The substrate remains stable after repeated oxidative adsorption and desorption of ethylene. Desorption occurs at different temperatures, depending on the adsorption temperature, which suggests different adsorption geometries: non-dissociated adsorption at high temperature with ethylene bond on two surface oxygen atoms, and locally dissociated adsorption at lower temperatures, in "formaldehyde-like" local configurations.