Article
Optics
Vijay Singh, Puja Kumari, S. J. Dhoble, Pavitra Holi, Hakyung Jeong, Vemula Koteswararao
Summary: A series of lanthanum vanadate doped with Ho3+ was successfully synthesized via the sol-gel method, showing monoclinic crystal structure with spherical particles. Photoluminescence excitation spectra exhibited broad excitation bands and some narrow, sharp peaks, emitting green light at around 545 nm along with relatively low red emission.
Article
Polymer Science
Ekaterina I. Lashkovskaya, Nikolai V. Gaponenko, Margarita V. Stepikhova, Artem N. Yablonskiy, Boris A. Andreev, Vadim D. Zhivulko, Alexander V. Mudryi, Igor L. Martynov, Alexander A. Chistyakov, Nikolai I. Kargin, Vladimir A. Labunov, Tamara F. Raichenok, Sergey A. Tikhomirov, Victor Yu. Timoshenko
Summary: Erbium upconversion photoluminescence from sol-gel derived barium titanate xerogel structures on different substrates was studied. The intensity of erbium UC PL can be increased by adding a layer of strontium titanate or codoping with erbium and ytterbium. Tuning of the cavity mode was achieved by assembling a multilayer microcavity structure.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kiflom Gebremedhn Kelele, H. C. Ananda Murthy, Ruthramurthy Balachandran, Aschalew Tadesse, Yosef Nikodimos, Lemma Teshome Tufa, Jaebeom Lee
Summary: Barium strontium titanate (BST) and Mo-doped BST nanopowders were synthesized and characterized in this study. The incorporation of Mo affected the crystal size, specific surface area, and pore structure of BST. The presence of Mo in BST was confirmed by XPS, EDS, Raman spectroscopy, and FTIR spectroscopy.
Article
Optics
T. Netolicky, L. Benes, K. Melanova, S. Slang, B. Frumarova, J. Oswald, T. Wagner
Summary: A series of novel garnet nanocrystals Gd3ScxGa5_xO12 (x = 0-2) doped with fixed Er3+ content were synthesized and their properties were investigated. It was found that the incorporation of Sc3+ into the octahedral site of the garnet host enhances the photoluminescence properties. The substitution of Ga3+ by Sc3+ may affect the crystal field surrounding Er3+.
JOURNAL OF LUMINESCENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Damien Brault, Thomas Richardot, Philippe Boy, Philippe Belleville, Franck Levassort, Maxime Bavencoffe, Bijun Fang
Summary: Lead-based materials are widely used in piezoceramics due to their high electromechanical properties. However, due to environmental concerns, the use of lead in electronic devices is restricted. Therefore, this study focuses on the development of lead-free ceramics for piezoelectric-based devices. A new sol-gel method was used to synthesize doped barium titanate, which resulted in ceramics with good electromechanical properties. These findings provide a potential method for the processing of lead-free piezoelectric thick films.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jingjian Zhou, Jing Huang, Huai Chen, Archana Samanta, Jan Linnros, Zhenyu Yang, Ilya Sychugov
Summary: The study presents a cost-effective method for synthesizing Si quantum dots with superior optical properties compared to those from other precursors, which could be beneficial for applications like photovoltaics.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ali Abdullah, El Mostafa Benchafia, Daniel Choi, Sufian Abedrabbo
Summary: Erbium-doped silica films were synthesized using a two-step sol-gel methodology with acid and base catalysts. The samples with efficient emission were annealed at 800-900 degrees C and doped with 3-6% erbium. The internal structure of the films was influenced by annealing temperatures and doping concentrations. The proposed method shows promise for the synthesis of erbium-doped silica films with potential optical device applications.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Shreyasi Majumdar, Sumit Kumar Hira, Himanshu Tripathi, Arepalli Sampath Kumar, Partha Pratim Manna, S. P. Singh, Sairam Krishnamurthy
Summary: The study demonstrates that barium doped bioactive glass has excellent biocompatibility and regenerative properties, as well as anti-inflammatory characteristics. This novel biomaterial can be used for therapeutic purposes under inflammatory conditions.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Sachin Kumar, Vaibhav Shrivastava, O. P. Thakur, Vandna Luthra
Summary: The present study discusses the synthesis of yttrium and tin-doped barium titanate using the sol-gel synthesis route and investigates their structural, morphological, and ferroelectric properties. XRD and Raman spectroscopy were used to analyze the phase and lattice vibrations of the samples. SEM micrographs revealed that tin-doping increased the grain size, while yttrium incorporation inhibited grain growth. The DC conductivity, ferroelectric properties, and piezoelectric coefficient of the samples were also studied.
JOURNAL OF SOL-GEL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pankaj P. Khirade, Vithal Vinayak, Prashant B. Kharat, Apparao R. Chavan
Summary: This research presents a simple, economical, and low-temperature green combustion synthesis method for Ba1-xSrxTiO3 ceramic nanopowders, using lemon juice as a firing agent. The introduction of Sr2+ ions enhances dielectric and electrical properties while weakening ferroelectric characteristics, primarily due to significant changes in the solid microstructure.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kristine Bakken, Viviann H. Pedersen, Anders B. Blichfeld, Inger-Emma Nylund, Satoshi Tominaka, Koji Ohara, Tor Grande, Mari-Ann Einarsrud
Summary: The study investigates the phase evolution during thermal annealing of an aqueous BaTiO3 precursor solution, highlighting the structures and role of intermediate phases forming prior to BaTiO3 nucleation. Results show that the stability of intermediate phases is dependent on the processing atmosphere, with enhanced CO2 levels detrimental for the formation of phase-pure BaTiO3.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
K. T. Lee, R. A. M. Osman, P. Poopalan
Summary: BaTiO3:Eu3+ thin films were prepared by sol-gel spin coating method and their properties were studied at different temperatures. It was found that the films were amorphous at temperatures below 600 degrees Celsius and exhibited strong luminescence performance.
JOURNAL OF NON-CRYSTALLINE SOLIDS
(2021)
Article
Optics
Wenwen Chen, Zhengang Dong, Haisheng Chen, Jiaying Shen, Xiaona Du, Feng Dong, Tianhong Zhou, Wen Huang, Zhenping Wu, Weiwei Liu, Yang Zhang
Summary: This paper describes an experimental investigation of photon upconversion (UC) in perovskite BaTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices doped with different lanthanide compositions. The results demonstrate that UC emission can be effectively enhanced by precisely incorporating a set of lanthanide ions into separated layers. Furthermore, controlled energy migration can lead to CC emission.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marin Cernea, Mihail Secu, Roxana Radu, Paul Ganea, Vasile Adrian Surdu, Roxana Trusca, Eugenia Tanasa Vasile, Elisabeta Corina Secu
Summary: The study synthesized polycrystalline Ba1-xTbxTiO3 materials and analyzed their photoluminescence and dielectric properties, revealing that increasing terbium content reduces Curie temperature and increases phase transition diffuseness. UV-vis reflectance spectra showed a decrease in band gap energy with higher Tb content, while photoluminescence spectra demonstrated terbium enhances photoluminescence accompanied by self-trapped exciton emission.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Optics
Vijay Singh, Rajamouli Boddula, G. N. Nikhare, Ji Bong Joo
Summary: The study successfully synthesized orange-red emitting Eu3+ doped CaAl4O7 phosphors with desired phase and good photoluminescence properties. The phosphors exhibit sharp emission peaks and high color purity in the orange-red region, making them suitable for applications in the field of luminescent materials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Georgeta Predeanu, Valerica Slavescu, Marius Florin Dragoescu, Niculina Mihaela Balanescu, Alexandru Fiti, Aurelia Meghea, Petrisor Samoila, Valeria Harabagiu, Maria Ignat, Ana-Maria Manea-Saghin, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Nicoleta Badea
Summary: This work aimed to recycle lignocellulosic waste to design advanced carbon material precursors for pollution abatement. The waste and precursors were characterized and the precursors were synthesized using innovative microwave heating technology. The precursors exhibited good adsorption properties for environmental pollutants.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ludmila Motelica, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Bogdan-Stefan Vasile, Anton Ficai, Denisa Ficai, Ecaterina Andronescu, Alina Maria Holban
Summary: In this paper, the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) by forced solvolysis in different alcohols was reported, and the influence of alcohol type (n-butanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerin) on the size and properties of the NPs was studied. The photocatalytic activity of the NPs against a dye mixture and their antibacterial effects were also investigated. The results showed that the NPs exhibited good photocatalytic activity, with degradation efficiency reaching 99.99%, and strong inhibition of bacterial growth, indicating their potential applications in water purification.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Joanna Kisala, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Anton Ficai, Denisa Ficai, Renata Wojnarowska-Nowak, Tomasz Szreder
Summary: This study presents the degradation of TBBPA using two Fe3O4 magnetic photocatalysts (F1 and F2). The results indicate that both catalysts are effective for the reductive degradation of TBBPA. Quantum chemical calculations show that the degradation process follows the Eley-Rideal mechanism.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alexandra Elena Stoica (Oprea), Alexandra Catalina Birca, Oana Gherasim, Anton Ficai, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Cornel Balta, Ecaterina Andronescu, Anca Oana Hermenean
Summary: The development of silica-based 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering has gained attention due to their biomimicking abilities. In this study, fibrous silica architectures were developed using TEOS and PVA during the self-assembly electrospinning process. The obtained fibrous materials were evaluated for their composition and microstructure, and in vivo evaluation confirmed their potential use as bioactive scaffolds in bone tissue engineering.
Article
Polymer Science
Luminita Predoana, Gabriela Petcu, Silviu Preda, Jeanina Pandele-Cusu, Simona Viorica Petrescu, Adriana Baran, Nicoleta G. Apostol, Ruxandra M. Costescu, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Adelina C. Ianculescu
Summary: Using the microwave-assisted sol-gel method, Zn- and Cu-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with an anatase crystalline structure were prepared. The presence of single-phase anatase and dopants in the nanoparticles was confirmed by XRD and XRF analysis. XPS analysis verified the presence of Ti, O, Zn, and Cu on the surface of the nanoparticles. Cu doping was found to enhance the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 in the visible-light range by narrowing the band-gap energy.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Larisa Gogianu, Marian C. Popescu, Bogdan S. Vasile, Iuliana Mihalache, Elena M. Anghel, Celina M. Damian, Alexandru Salceanu, Adina Boldeiu, Elena Constantin, Antonio Radoi, Monica Simion, Melania A. Popescu
Summary: Recent studies have shown that human oncoviruses account for 10% of cancer cases worldwide. PCR assays are highly sensitive and specific, while microarrays offer excellent performance for detecting multiple targets simultaneously. However, accurate detection of DNA viruses in microarray systems depends on the platform used, and obtaining high-quality fluorescent-labelled single-stranded DNA is equally important.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Denis Mihaela Panaitescu, Adriana Nicoleta Frone, Cristian-Andi Nicolae, Augusta Raluca Gabor, Dana Maria Miu, Mariana-Gratiela Soare, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Irina Lupescu
Summary: In this study, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) was blended with medium-chain-length PHAs (mcl-PHAs) as an improvement in flexibility. Nanocellulose (NC) was added as a reinforcing agent. The use of different mcl-PHAs (PHO and PHN) had varied effects on the morphology, thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation behaviors of the PHB, especially with the presence of NC. The addition of mcl-PHAs decreased the storage modulus (E') of PHB blends, but the further addition of NC mitigated this decrease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra Elena Stoica (Oprea), Delia Albulet, Alexandra Catalina Birca, Florin Iordache, Anton Ficai, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Ecaterina Andronescu, Florica Marinescu, Alina Maria Holban
Summary: In this study, an electrospun nanofibrous mesh based on PVA, chitosan, and usnic acid was fabricated for wound healing. The obtained nanofibers mesh was physicochemically characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vitro biological assays were performed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the samples using the MIC assay and evaluating the influence of fabricated meshes on the Staphylococcus aureus biofilm development, as well as their biocompatibility (demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy results, an XTT assay, and a glutathione (GSH) assay).
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexandra Catalina Birca, Oana Gherasim, Adelina-Gabriela Niculescu, Alexandru Mihai Grumezescu, Ionela Andreea Neacsu, Cristina Chircov, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Ovidiu Cristian Oprea, Ecaterina Andronescu, Miruna Silvia Stan, Carmen Curutiu, Lia Mara Ditu, Alina Maria Holban
Summary: The use of a microfluidic platform with a cross-shape design was explored in this study for synthesizing silver nanoparticles. The precursor concentration and purging speed were varied as experimental parameters. The obtained samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Alginate-based hydrogels containing hyaluronic acid and silver nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity and wound treatment efficiency.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marin Cernea, Roxana Radu, Harvey Amorin, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Vasile Adrian Surdu, Roxana Trusca, Raluca Gavrila, Carmen Galassi
Summary: Motivated by the goal of developing ultralow power, smart and multifunctional nano (micro) electronic devices, research has shown unwavering interest in synthesis methods, architectures and interphase connectivity of composites containing magnetostrictive and piezoelectric phases, known as magnetoelectric (ME) materials. Herein we report on CoFe2O4/0.92Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.08BaTiO3 biphasic ME composites, obtained by sol-gel chemistry, by mixing the precursor sols of the two phases into one precursor sol and further transforming it into gel, with the goal of obtaining homogeneous nanocomposites with magnetoelectric properties. The structural properties, the temperature dependance of dielectric properties, the magnetic and magnetoelectric properties of these biphasic mixtures, with various molar ratios CoFe2O4/ BNT-BT0.08 = 0.5:1, 1:1 and 1.5:1, are investigated. It is observed that the amount of CoFe2O4 and the synthesis in situ of these composites influences their macroscopic properties showing a high difficulty of carrying out an efficient poling resulting in small piezoelectric and magnetoelectric response. It was concluded that the synthesis procedure, the type of architecture and the interphase connectivity are of outmost importance for magnetoelectric properties based on lead-free materials. (c) 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Roxana-Elena Patru, Catalina Andreea Stanciu, Elena Mirabela Soare, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Roxana Doina Trusca, Adrian Ionut Nicoara, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Georgia Boni, Luminita Amarande, Nadejda Horchidan, Lavinia Petronela Curecheriu, Liliana Mitoseriu, Lucian Pintilie, Ioana Pintilie, Adelina-Carmen Ianculescu
Summary: Dense fine-grained Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 ceramics were prepared by sol-gel synthesized nanopowders and Spark Plasma Sintering consolidation. The grain size was reduced from 214 nm to 74 nm by changing the SPS parameters. Impedance Spectroscopy revealed diffuse ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transitions and low dielectric permittivity values (<1000) at the Curie temperature (T-C around 280 K) in all sintered ceramics. The reduction in grain size led to a gradual decrease in dielectric constant, tunability, polarization, and storage energy properties. Raman spectroscopy identified the presence of polar nanoclusters above T-C. The observed properties of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 nanostructured ceramics were attributed to the interplay between grain size reduction, the role of low-permittivity grain boundaries, and the diffuse nature of the ferroelectric-to-paraelectric transformation.
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Cristina Chircov, Iulia Alexandra Dumitru, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Alina Maria Holban, Roxana Cristina Popescu
Summary: Magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) have been well studied for biomedical applications, particularly as drug delivery systems for infections. The focus has now shifted towards controlling the synthesis reaction to ensure uniform sizes and shapes. This study successfully obtained antibiotic-loaded MNPs using a microfluidic device, and evaluated their structural properties, antibiotic loading, release profiles, biocompatibility, and antimicrobial properties. The results demonstrated uniformity, good biocompatibility, and promising antimicrobial activity, representing a step forward in the development of effective nanostructured systems for antimicrobial therapies.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ludmila Motelica, Bogdan-Stefan Vasile, Anton Ficai, Adrian-Vasile Surdu, Denisa Ficai, Ovidiu-Cristian Oprea, Ecaterina Andronescu, Gabriel Mustatea, Elena Loredana Ungureanu, Alina Alexandra Dobre
Summary: The overuse of antibiotics leads to the development of drug resistance in microorganisms. Researchers are actively exploring new antimicrobials to overcome this problem. The combination of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and essential oils can produce a strong antimicrobial effect and may have potential applications in wound dressings or food packaging.
Article
Polymer Science
Ligia Todan, Luminita Predoana, Gabriela Petcu, Silviu Preda, Daniela Cristina Culita, Adriana Baran, Roxana-Doina Trusca, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Adelina-Carmen Ianculescu
Summary: Magnesium oxide (MgO) was synthesized using sol-gel, microwave-assisted sol-gel, and hydrothermal methods to investigate the effects of preparation conditions on the properties of the products. The samples were characterized using various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, etc. The results showed that the MW and HT methods produced MgO particles with higher specific surface areas, but the powders had less-defined morphologies and high levels of aggregation. The photocatalytic activities of the MgO samples towards the degradation of methyl orange under UV light were also evaluated.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Maria-Gabriela Alexandru, Adelina-Carmen Ianculescu, Oana Carp, Daniela C. Culita, Silviu Preda, Cristian D. Ene, Bogdan Stefan Vasile, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Adrian-Ionut Nicoara, Florentina Neatu, Ioana Pintilie, Diana Visinescu
Summary: Two new families of zinc/cobalt/aluminum-based pigments with unique compositions were synthesized through the polyol method. The hydrolysis process of a mixture of Co(CH3COO)(2), Zn(acac)(2), and Al(acac)(3) in 1,4-butanediol resulted in dark blue gels (wPZn(x)Co(1-x)Al) and light green powders (PZnxCo1-xAl) for water-containing and water-free procedures, respectively. Calcination of the precursors produced dark green (wZn(x)Co(1-x)Al) and blue (ZnxCo1-xAl) products. The pigments exhibited bright colors with a moderate degree of luminosity, and high blueness according to CIE L*a*b* and C* colorimetric parameters.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
