Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jia-Zhe Zhu, Gong Chen, Talha Ijaz, Xiao-Guang Li, Zhen-Chao Dong
Summary: The study investigates the influence of an atomic-scale protrusion at the tip apex on the emission properties of a point dipole in the plasmonic nanocavity using electromagnetic simulations. Results show that such a protrusion can significantly increase the quantum efficiency of molecular fluorescence. It is also found that the quantum efficiency monotonically increases as the tip approaches the dipole to the point of contact due to the lightning rod effect induced by the protrusion.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ling-Xuan Qian, Wenqi Li, Zhiwen Gu, Jing Tian, Xiaodong Huang, Peter To Lai, Wanli Zhang
Summary: In this study, well-defined Al@AlO3 core-shell nanostructure arrays with sub-50 nm feature sizes, narrow dimension distributions, periodic graphene-like patterns, and extremely high densities up to 152.7 counts µm(-2) were fabricated. The beta-Ga2O3 PDs decorated with these nanostructures showed significantly enhanced sensitivities without response spectra broadening. Finite-difference time-domain simulations based on isolated, dimer, and arrayed models confirmed the presence of LSPR and the critical contribution of nanostructure density.
ADVANCED OPTICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Elumalai Ashok Kumar, Thangavelu Kokulnathan, Tzyy-Jiann Wang, Kalingarayanpalayam Matheswaran Arun Kumar, Yu-Hsu Chang
Summary: We synthesized TiO2 nanofibers covered with Au nanograins (Au NGs@TiO2 NFs) using a direct coaxial electrospinning method. The as-synthesized Au NGs@TiO2 NFs hybrid nanostructure was characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The Au NGs@TiO2 NFs showed excellent SERS performance for furazolidone (FZD) detection, with a high enhancement factor and a low limit of detection. The hybrid nanostructure exhibited good uniformity and reproducibility, and was successfully used to detect FZD in food and environmental samples.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Elim Albiter, Jose M. Barrera-Andrade, Lina A. Calzada, Jesus Garcia-Valdes, Miguel A. Valenzuela, Elizabeth Rojas-Garcia
Summary: In this study, reduced graphene oxide-TiO2 composites were prepared by synthesizing graphene oxide and in situ photoreduction. The composites exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than TiO2, which can be attributed to the chemical interaction between graphene oxide and TiO2, leading to faster electron transfer and lower charge recombination rates.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xijin Wang, Zhitao Liu, You Fu, Yao Zhu, Ling Chen, Jing Yang, Qian Chen, Bin Xu, Feiyun Chen, Xin Liao
Summary: In this study, a series of RDX@PDA@TiO2 double layer core-shell energetic composites were successfully constructed to reduce the sensitivities of RDX. Thicker and larger particle size of the amorphous TiO2 shell led to better desensitization effect, indicating a potential alternative method for improving the vulnerability and transportation safety of RDX.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yi Di, Tianshi Qin
Summary: Incorporating plasmonic ZrN@TiO2 nanostructures into the photoanode of DSSC can efficiently improve the photovoltaic performance, showing potential applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Guillaume Thomas, Denis Spitzer
Summary: By developing 3D core-shell nanorod arrays on microcantilevers, the detection performance for a simulant of sarin has been significantly improved.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Josiah Shondo, Salih Veziroglu, Tim Tjardts, Tamim Bin Sarwar, Yogendra Kumar Mishra, Franz Faupel, Oral Cenk Aktas
Summary: A 4N-in-1 hybrid substrate concept for ultra-sensitive and reliable photo-induced-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is proposed, which shows a significant enhancement and high detection sensitivity. The substrate also exhibits superior photocatalytic degradation performance and reusability.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Tianyu Tang, Zhonggui Sun, Xiangyu Bi, Xingwang Shi, Weiwei Wu, Xuhui Ge, Chunlan Tao, Zhiya Zhang, Jun Wang
Summary: This study investigates the phase interface effect in nanocomposite electrodes, showing that phase interface engineering can significantly boost the electrochemical performance, providing a feasible way for improving the electrochemical properties of nanocomposite anodes for Li-ion batteries.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yuanzhi Min, Gao Song, Ling Zhou, Xinyue Wang, Pingying Liu, Jumei Li
Summary: This study presents a facile approach for fabricating silver@mesoporous anatase TiO(2) nanoparticles and investigates their applications in SERS analysis and dye pollutant removal. The nanoparticles exhibit excellent sensitivity and catalytic activity, along with good stability and recyclability.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yanhua Cui, Jian Zheng, Zengkai Wang, Binrong Li, Yongsheng Yan, Minjia Meng
Summary: By inducing Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles to move towards the membrane surface under a magnetic field, the modified membrane showed enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficiency and water flow rate. The successful migration of Fe3O4@TiO2 nanoparticles to the membrane surface resulted in significantly improved pure water flux and antifouling performance of the membrane.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Tianyu Yang, Can Ding, Richard W. Ziolkowski, Y. Jay Guo
Summary: The microstructured fiber sensor utilizes mid-infrared refractive index, offering a compact and robust design with high sensitivity for monitoring analytes in liquids and gases. It can detect refractive index variations in the range from 1.0 to 1.41, with wavelength sensitivities of 2510 and 4303 nm/RIU for analyte detection in gases and liquids, making it an excellent candidate for environmental monitoring applications.
JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Optics
Khizzra Aslam, Nouraiz Mushtaq, Guoguo Kang, Zhao Luo
Summary: In this study, a significant refractive index sensing is achieved by using grating mode resonance in a simple 1D titanium dioxide dielectric grating with structural asymmetry as the sensing probe. The resonant peak with narrow line width enhances the performance. Simulation demonstrates that the sensor can obtain excellent sensing results with relatively large deviations in grating depth and period in the visible region. This GMR-based dielectric sensor device, which is easy to manufacture, is expected to be of great significance in achieving broadband refractive index sensors with better performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jie Yang, Gao Song, Ling Zhou, Xinyue Wang, Lijun You, Jumei Li
Summary: In this study, Ag/TiO2 core-shell nanoparticles were successfully synthesized for SERS detection of TMTD, showing a good linear relationship and low detection limit. The protective TiO2 shell enhances SERS signal by preserving SS bonds intact.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hui Yang, Fengying Zheng, Fengjiao Liu, Luxiu Lin, Xuguang Huang, Ye Lin, Shunxing Li
Summary: The positively and negatively charged double shell with a Au sandwich can enhance selectivity, prevent photocatalytic poisoning, and improve performance of a heterogeneous photocatalyst. The proof-of-concept study using Ta2O5@Au@TiO2 hollow spheres showed that the photocatalytic activity is significantly higher compared to Ta2O5 and TiO2 hollow spheres, benefiting from the diverse heterophase junctions and avoidance of poisoning.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ivano Alessandri, Irene Vassalini
Summary: Most catalytic processes involving renewable energy or environmental pollution rely on the interplay of factors that can be regulated to improve overall efficiency. Recent examples of 'systemic catalysts' have shown the modification of reaction microenvironment and exploitation of concurrent/parasitic reactions, offering new breakthroughs in complex catalytic cycles.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elza Bontempi, Giampiero P. Sorrentino, Alessandra Zanoletti, Ivano Alessandri, Laura E. Depero, Andrea Caneschi
Summary: The study provides a critical review of Italian researchers' contributions to sustainable materials and their impact on specific indicators of the SDGs. Results show that research in this field is mainly focused on chemicals, composites, novel materials for pollutants sequestration, bio-based materials, materials for green building, and materials for energy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Benassi, Ivano Alessandri, Irene Vassalini
Summary: This study evaluated three different methods for extracting pectin from waste orange peels, with acidic hot-water identified as the most sustainable extraction route.
Article
Microbiology
Carlotta Alias, Daniela Bulgari, Fabjola Bilo, Laura Borgese, Alessandra Gianoncelli, Giovanni Ribaudo, Emanuela Gobbi, Ivano Alessandri
Summary: This study adopted a low-energy paradigm to achieve sustainable, affordable, and effective urban waste valorization through the production of citric acid via solid-state fermentation. The biological leaching solution was found to be comparable to commercial citric acid in extracting metals from waste printed circuit boards, providing a green alternative for the recovery of valuable metals such as Fe, Pb, and Ni from electronic waste.
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fabrizio Torricelli, Ivano Alessandri, Eleonora Macchia, Irene Vassalini, Marina Maddaloni, Luisa Torsi
Summary: The development of next-generation electronics and bioelectronics using emerging materials, technologies, and devices will bring intelligent objects, autonomous factories, and humans with artificial technology-based capabilities into reality.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ivano Alessandri
Summary: This study observed the photoreaction of PATP to DMAB in the absence of any plasmonic mediators. Using confocal microRaman spectroscopy, the reaction progress was investigated in different plasmon-free contexts, both aerobic and anaerobic, providing a new interpretation based on direct laser-induced activation of singlet oxygen species as the cause of PATP dimerization.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marco Gandolfi, Simone Peli, Michele Diego, Stefano Danesi, Claudio Giannetti, Ivano Alessandri, Valentina Zannier, Valeria Demontis, Mirko Rocci, Fabio Beltram, Lucia Sorba, Stefano Roddaro, Francesco Rossella, Francesco Banfi
Summary: This study investigates the mechanical properties of wurtzite InAs nanowires using multiple techniques and provides an elastic matrix and Young's modulus. It uncovers a new mechanism for nanowire oscillations and discusses the validity of analytical approaches commonly used in retrieving elastic properties from ultrafast spectroscopies.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Roberto Granelli, Ivano Alessandri, Paschalis Gkoupidenis, Irene Vassalini, Zsolt M. Kovacs-Vajna, Paul W. M. Blom, Fabrizio Torricelli
Summary: This study proposes fully printed mask-less OECTs fabricated on thin-film biodegradable and compostable substrates, enabling monolithic integration of high-performance bioelectronics.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ivano Alessandri, Fabrizio Torricelli, Beatrice Cerea, Michele Speziani, Paolo Romele, Zsolt Miklos Kovacs-Vajna, Irene Vassalini
Summary: In this study, the rationale of using PEDOT:PSS for Raman sensing was investigated through systematic experiments. The results showed that the Raman spectra of PEDOT:PSS accurately reflect its conformation and interactions with PSS. However, it was found that the same effects could be achieved by increasing the concentration of nonoxidizing electrolytes or deprotonating PSS chains, which poses limitations to the use of PEDOT:PSS for this type of Raman sensing.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Claudio Marchesi, Monika Rani, Stefania Federici, Ivano Alessandri, Irene Vassalini, Serena Ducoli, Laura Borgese, Annalisa Zacco, Avelino Nunez-Delgado, Elza Bontempi, Laura E. Depero
Summary: The widespread distribution of plastics and microplastics and their resistance to decay is having a negative impact on the environment. Microplastics are considered emerging contaminants of concern across all environments. Portable spectrometers coupled with chemometric tools have shown potential for polymer analysis and environmental applications. This study demonstrates the use of a Miniaturized Near-Infrared (MicroNIR) spectrometer for quantitative analysis of microplastic mixtures.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Luca Gavioli, Luca Ciambriello, Emanuele Cavaliere, Irene Vassalini, Ivano Alessandri, Matteo Ferroni, Luca Leoncino, Rosaria Brescia
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between catalytic activity of alloyed NiFe nanoparticles and the morphological and stoichiometric properties of the film. The results show that the synthesized alloyed NiFe nanoparticles have high catalytic efficiency and the electrode loading affects the turnover frequency of the catalyst.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Physics, Applied
Giammarco Roini, Gabriele Calusi, Matteo Ferroni, Nicoletta Granchi, Ivano Alessandri, Anna Vinattieri
Summary: Halide perovskites are interesting semiconductors for innovation in optoelectronics and photovoltaics, and can be used in lasers, light amplification systems, and other photonic devices. In this study, we investigate the nonlinear effects in CsPbBr3 films on a silicon substrate and on metasurfaces consisting of microspheres with a SiO2 core and a TiO2 shell. We observe amplified spontaneous emission, which exhibits different behavior depending on the sample structure and excitation power. Two processes are distinguished: light amplification by randomly arranged emitters and amplification by a quite ordered distribution of nanocrystals around a resonator.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Physics, Applied
P. Franceschini, A. Tognazzi, G. Finco, L. Carletti, I. Alessandri, A. C. Cino, C. De Angelis, O. Takayama, R. Malureanu, A. V. Lavrinenko, D. de Ceglia
Summary: Subwavelength control of electromagnetic field distribution is a current challenge in photonics research. Diffractive metasurfaces with spatially extended resonant modes have recently gained interest for their versatility in shaping the electromagnetic field. In this study, we design a nonlocal metasurface with modes in the third operating spectral window of optical communications. The optical properties are investigated through experiments and simulations, revealing the magnetic and electric nature of the modes.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Matteo Scaglia, Antonella Cornelio, Alessandra Zanoletti, Daniele La Corte, Giada Biava, Ivano Alessandri, Angelo Forestan, Catya Alba, Laura Eleonora Depero, Elza Bontempi
Summary: Using microwave radiation can trigger carbothermic reactions and enhance the recovery of raw materials from spent LCO batteries. However, the rapid heating caused by microwave radiation also poses a fire risk.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Luca Ciambriello, Emanuele Cavaliere, Irene Vassalini, Ivano Alessandri, Matteo Ferroni, Luca Leoncino, Rosaria Brescia, Luca Gavioli
Summary: This study investigates the catalytic activity of alloyed NiFe nanostructures on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The results show that the catalytic efficiency is independent of film thickness, while the turnover frequency decreases with increasing electrode loading. The study suggests that an excess of catalyst mass is deposited in thicker electrodes, setting a limit to maximize electrocatalyst efficiency.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
