Publications

The aim of this study consisted to develop novel synthetic magnetite nanoparticles (nFe(3)O(4)) with preferential reactivity to trace elements (TE) for possible environmental applications as adsorbents. The synthetic magnetite materials obtained through the co-precipitation of both Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions (Fe2+ / Fe3+ = 0.5) were characterized by a set of complementary techniques: X-ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and BET adsorption method. The resulting nFe(3)O(4) displayed a wide specific surface area (100 m(2) g(-1)) with particles reaching a size of about 10 nm, smaller than those of the well-crystallized commercial ones (cFe(3)O(4)) estimated at 80 nm while showing a BET surface area of 6.8 m(2) The adsorption properties of the synthetic nFe(3)O(4) magnetite nanoparticles were characterized and compared to the commercial analogous with the adsorption of both As and Cu. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms were properly fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich equation models and suggested that the developed iron oxides nanoparticles display a certain potential for removal and/or immobilization of TE from contaminated waters and/or soils, with an increase of 69.5% of the adsorbed amount compared to that of the commercial ones. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Single ZnO nanowires prepared by wet and dry methods are used as channels in high performance back-gated field effect transistors working in low power operation mode, with on-off ratios up to 10(5) and mobilities up to 167 cm(2) V-1 s(-1). The nanowires' properties, generated by the growth techniques, influence the parameters of the transistors, therefore a throughout comparison is made.

We develop a manifest non-Hermitian approach of spectral and transport properties of two-dimensional mesoscopic systems in a strong magnetic field. The finite system to which several terminals are attached constitutes an open system that can be described by an effective Hamiltonian. The lifetime of the quantum states expressed by the energy imaginary part depends specifically on the lead-system coupling and makes the difference among three regimes: resonant, integer quantum Hall effect, and superradiant. The discussion is carried on in terms of edge state lifetime in different gaps, channel formation, role of hybridization, and transmission coefficients quantization. A toy model helps in understanding non-Hermitian aspects in open systems.

Thermal behavior of repa-germanium (C6H10Ge2O7, Ge-132) during heating in air or in argon is investigated using DSC-TGA, XRD, SEM,TEM, and FT-IR measurements. Nine domains of thermal transformations were identified from room temperature to 1200 degrees C, in air or argon. The first reversible transformation is below 220 degrees C and it was assigned to an isomerization process, based on DSC, XRD and IR measurements. The next five transformation domains (220-910 degrees C) are decompositions accompanied by weight loss. The main product of thermal decomposition is Ge. The next transformation domain (910-970 degrees C) corresponds to melting of Ge, both in argon and air. In the air, this step is followed by oxidation of Ge (970-1100 degrees C) and, finally, by melting of GeO2. Amorphous phases formed between 220 and 720 degrees C. Observed processes are discussed based on crystal chemistry and bonds dynamics considerations. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We report the evolution of structural, dielectric, ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties in novel (Pb1 - 3x/2Ndx) (Ti0.98 - yFeyMn0.02)O-3 perovskite ceramics (x = 0.08, 0 < y = 0.04). The paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transition occurred between 650 and 670 K for 0 <= y = 0.04. Detailed structural analysis evidenced the variation of unit cell parameters with y increasing, confirming the substitution of the iron element in the lattice. Fe-57 Mtissbauer spectroscopy evidenced that iron ions occupy Ti positions in the perovskite lattice, with the oxidation state Fe3+ and two coordination types. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the presence of iron only as Fe3+ and, moreover, evidenced the presence of a substantial amount of Ti3+ ions in the structure. The presence of both Fe3+ (spin 5/2) in different coordinations as well as Ti3+ (spin 1/2) magnetic ions in B-site positions drives the occurrence of magnetic properties from low temperature to above room temperature, through superexchange Fe3+-O-Fe3+, Fe3+-O-Ti3+ and Ti3+-O-Ti3+ interactions. The finding of coexistent ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties in these compounds ground the route to facile synthesis of multiferroics by simply doping a classical perovskite ferroelectric material like PbTiO3 with an adequate amount of transition magnetic ions. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The effect of 1 and 2 mol % V addition on sintering conditions, structural and functional properties of NbeLi co-doped PZT ceramics, prepared by conventional ceramic method, was systematically studied, by different experimental techniques. The reported results show that the increasing amount of vanadium, as a substitute for niobium, decreases the optimal sintering temperature with 100-150 degrees C, but slightly reduces the piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and electromechanical properties of these ceramics. In addition, the presence of vanadium increases the lattice tetragonality and grain size, promoting a harder piezoelectric behaviour, mostly in the absence of niobium. EPR spectra exhibit well-defined hyperfine splitting characteristics for V4+ state, dispersed in the lattice as VO2+ ion. Additionally, complex paramagnetic defects (charged oxygen vacancies and associated defects) are evidenced for 2 mol % vanadium addition. The results were explained by assuming that vanadium promotes the B-site Li substitution, compensated by oxygen vacancies, while niobium facilitates the A-site Li substitution with lead vacancies formation and partial reduction of V5+ to V4+. Thus, indirect information about lithium location is provided. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We present the conduction mechanisms of Ba2/3Sr1/3TiO3 thin films integrated in metal-insulatormetal (MIM) capacitors and the modelling of the frequency-dependent electrostrictive resonances (in the 100 MHz-10 GHz domain) induced in the devices upon applying different voltage biases. Au/BST/Ir MIM structures on MgO substrates have been fabricated and, depending on their specific polarization, we highlighted different conduction mechanisms in the devices. Depending on the dc bias polarity, the conduction current across the material shows a space-charge-limited-current behavior under negative polarization, whereas under positive bias, the conduction obeys an electrode-limited Schottky-type law at the Au/BST interface. The application of an electric field on the device induces the onset of acoustic resonances related to electrostrictive phenomena in the ferroelectric material. We modeled these acoustic resonances over a wide frequency range, by using a modified Lakin model, which takes into account the dispersions of acoustic properties near the lower electrode/thin film interface. Published by AIP Publishing.

Electrically conductive and highly hydrophobic surface layers are attractive for many practical applications. In this work the functional, wetting and electrical properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2), TiO2/silver (Ag), and TiO2/reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Ag nanocomposite coatings layers are reported. The functional properties of the layers were correlated with their chemical composition and bonding states between the constituent elements, determined in turn by the synthesis and immobilization process parameters. The nanocomposite coatings were obtained by matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation, a laser-based environmental friendly thin film deposition technique. The synthesized ternary TiO2/rGO/Ag coatings has optimum performances, highly hydrophobic character and low electrical resistance, attributed to the presence of Ag nanoparticles and to the reduction of the oxygen containing functional groups of the GO platelets during laser irradiation and transfer processes leading to the formation of graphene-like material. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.

Vapor transport growth of atomically thin MoS2 layers on patterned substrates is investigated, as it is a step towards the self-aligned growth and formation of heterojunctions, which could be useful in future applications. Enhanced formation of MoS2 flakes at the pattern edges is observed on both the substrates examined, namely, patterned thermal SiO2 on Si(100) and graphene flakes on SiO2. The diffusion driven growth leads to the formation of MoS2 monolayers (MLs) with sizes of tens of micrometers around the edges of SiO2 patterns. The growth mode and the optical quality of the MoS2 flakes can be controlled by varying the substrate temperature. Besides the lateral growth, 3R-type pyramids are obtained on prolonging the growth. Lateral MoS2-graphene heterostructures are obtained by using graphene flakes on SiO2 as a substrate.