Biocompatible rapid few-layers-graphene synthesis in aqueous lignin solutions

Ultrasonic-Assisted Liquid Phase Exfoliation (UALPE) is considered one of the most promising approaches for the scale-up of graphene production. The process is based on the isolation and stabilization of layers of 2D materials, such as graphene: the selection of a proper stabilizing/exfoliating agent is crucial to achieve a stable Few-Layers-Graphene (FLG) dispersion. In the present work we propose the use of alkali lignin (AL) as a polymeric stabilizing agent for the rapid ( ≤3 hours) synthesis of FLG. Sonication time and graphite-to-lignin (Gr/AL) ratios were investigated as the primary operational parameters to identify the optimal working conditions. Spectroscopical characterization of the samples were employed to assess the quality of the synthesized material: the analysis of the Raman and XPS spectra provided insight on the number of layers and the nature of the limited defects introduced with the exfoliation procedure. Low-defectivity FLG was obtained at Gr/AL = 8 and a sonication time of 3 hours. Furthermore, Scan- ning Electron Microscopy and Dynamic Light Scattering were performed to investigate the size of the exfoliated flakes ( ∼400 nm). The procedure proposed represents a rapid route for the synthesis of FLG, which will be further explored for composites in chemiresistive devices

π-Conjugation and End Group Effects in Long Cumulenes: Raman Spectroscopy and DFT Calculations

We have investigated the structure and spectroscopic properties of cumulenic carbon chains, focusing on the peculiar π-conjugation properties and end-group effects that influence their behavior. With support from Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, we have analyzed the IR and Raman spectra of cumulenes characterized by different end-capping groups and we have related them to the bond length alternation (BLA) pattern and local spectroscopic parameters associated with the CC bonds along the sp-carbon chain. For cumulenes we observe a breakdown of the correlation existing in polyynes among frequencies, Raman intensities of the Ʀ line (longitudinal CC stretching modes), and BLA. While the low Ʀ line frequency and equalized CC bonds would indicate the “metallic” character of cumulenic species, we obtain an unusually strong Raman intensity, which is typical of bond-alternated (semiconductive) structures. DFT calculations reveal that this is a consequence of π-electron conjugation, which markedly extends from the sp-carbon chain to the aryl rings belonging to the end groups. These findings suggest the existence of a strong electronic, vibrational and structural coupling between sp-carbon chains and sp2-carbon species, which could play a key role in nanostructured sp/sp2-hybrid carbon materials (e.g., linear carbon chains coupled to graphene domains). Within this context, Raman spectroscopy is a valuable tool for the detailed characterization of the molecular properties of this kind of materials

Excitation Wavelength- and Medium-Dependent Photoluminescence of Reduced Nanostructured TiO2 Films

The performance of TiO2 nanomaterials in solar energy conversion applications can be tuned by means of thermal treatments in reducing atmospheres, which introduce defects (such as oxygen vacancies), allowing, for instance, a better charge transport or a higher photocatalytic activity. The characterization of these defects and the understanding of their role are pivotal to carefully engineer the properties of TiO2, and, among various methods, they have been addressed by photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. A definitive framework to describe the PL properties of TiO2, however, is still lacking. In this work, we report on the PL of nanostructured anatase TiO2 thin films, annealed in different atmospheres (oxidizing and reducing), and consider the effects of different excitation energies and different surrounding media on their PL spectra. A broad PL signal centered around 1.8–2.0 eV is found for all the films with UV excitation in air as well as in vacuum, while the same measurements in ethanol lead to a blueshift and to intensity changes in the spectra. On the other hand, measurements with different sub-bandgap excitations show PL peaking at 1.8 eV, with an intensity trend only dependent on the thermal treatment and not on the surrounding medium. The results of PL spectroscopy, together with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, suggest the critical role of oxygen vacancies and Ti3+ ions as radiative recombination centers. The complex relationship between thermal treatments and PL data in the explored conditions is discussed, suggesting the importance of such investigations for a deeper understanding on the relationship between defects in TiO2 and photoactivity

New insights into the dynamics that control the activity of ceria-zirconia solid solutions in thermochemical water splitting cycles

The reactivity of a ceria-rich Ce0.85Zr0.15O2 solid solution toward the thermochemical water splitting process (TWS) was studied over repeated H2/H2O redox cycles. The structural and surface modifications after treatment at high temperature under air or N2 atmospheres were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). Samples treated under nitrogen resulted more active due to phase segregation with formation of a zirconyl oxynitride phase in catalytic amount. Insertion of N3- into the structure contributes to an increase in the numbers of oxygen vacancies that preferably arrange in large clusters, and to the stabilization of Ce3+ centers on the surface. In comparison, treatment under air resulted in a different arrangement of defects with less Ce3+ and smaller and more numerous vacancy clusters. This affects charge transfer and H-coupling processes, which play an important role in boosting the rate of H2 production. The behavior is found to be only slightly dependent on the starting ceria-zirconia composition, and it is related to the development of a similar surface heterostructure configuration, characterized by the presence of at least a ceria-rich solid solution and a (cerium-doped) zirconyl oxynitride phase, which is supposed to act as a promoter for TWS reaction. The above findings confirm the importance of a multiphase structure in the design of ceria-zirconia oxides for water splitting reaction and allow a step forward to find an optimal composition. Moreover, the results indicate that doping with nitrogen might be a novel approach for the design of robust, thermally resistant, and redox active materials.Postprint (author's final draft

Investigation of sp carbon chain interaction with silver nanoparticles by Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering

Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is exploited here to investigate the interaction of isolated sp carbon chains (polyynes) in a methanol solution with silver nanoparticles. Hydrogen-terminated polyynes show a strong interaction with silver colloids used as the SERS active medium revealing a chemical SERS effect. SERS spectra after mixing polyynes with silver colloids show a noticeable time evolution. Experimental results, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the Raman modes, allow us to investigate the behavior and stability of polyynes of different lengths and the overall sp conversion towards sp2 phase.Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures, 1 table

Stabilization of linear carbon structures in a solid Ag nanoparticle assembly

Linear sp carbon nanostructures are gathering interest for the physical properties of one-dimensional (1D) systems. At present, the main obstacle to the synthesis and study of these systems is their instability. Here we present a simple method to obtain a solid system where linear sp chains (i.e. polyynes) in a silver nanoparticle assembly display a long term stability at ambient conditions. The presence and the behavior of linear carbon is investigated by Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) exploiting the plasmon resonance of the silver nanoparticles assembly. This model system opens the possibility to investigate an intriguing form of carbon nanostructures

Nonlinear Optical Properties of Polyynes: An Experimental Prediction for Carbyne

We present the experimental determination of the vibrational contribution to molecular second hyperpolarizability (Îvib) of very long polyynes that have been recently made available thanks to progress in chemical synthesis. Based on a simple theoretical model, the available experimental data allow estimating the asymptotic behavior of the vibrational contribution to molecular hyperpolarizability for increasing chain length

Experimental Characterization of Polymer Surfaces Subject to Corona Discharges in Controlled Atmospheres

Polymeric dielectrics are employed extensively in the power transmission industry, thanks to their excellent properties; however, under normal operating conditions these materials tend to degrade and fail. In this study, samples of low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluorethylene were subjected to corona discharges under nitrogen and air atmospheres. The discharges introduced structural modifications over the polymer surface. From a chemical perspective, the alterations are analogous among the non-fluorinated polymers (i.e., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)). A simulation of the corona discharge allowed the identification of highly reactive species in the proximity of the surface. The results are consistent with the degradation of insulating polymers in high-voltage applications due to internal partial discharges that ultimately lead to the breakdown of the material

Supermultiplexed optical imaging and barcoding with engineered polyynes

Optical multiplexing has a large impact in photonics, the life sciences and biomedicine. However, current technology is limited by a 'multiplexing ceiling' from existing optical materials. Here we engineered a class of polyyne-based materials for optical supermultiplexing. We achieved 20 distinct Raman frequencies, as 'Carbon rainbow', through rational engineering of conjugation length, bond-selective isotope doping and end-capping substitution of polyynes. With further probe functionalization, we demonstrated ten-color organelle imaging in individual living cells with high specificity, sensitivity and photostability. Moreover, we realized optical data storage and identification by combinatorial barcoding, yielding to our knowledge the largest number of distinct spectral barcodes to date. Therefore, these polyynes hold great promise in live-cell imaging and sorting as well as in high-throughput diagnostics and screening

Synthesis of Zigzag- and Fjord-Edged Nanographene with Dual Amplified Spontaneous Emission

We report the synthesis of a dibenzodinaphthocoronene (DBDNC) derivative as a novel nanographene with armchair, zigzag, and fjord edges, which was characterized by NMR and X-ray crystallography as well as infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopies. Ultrafast transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy revealed the presence of stimulated emission signals at 655 nm and 710 nm with a relatively long lifetime, which resulted in dual amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) bands under ns-pulsed excitation, indicating the promise of DBNDC as a near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore for photonics. Our results provide new insight into the design of nanographene with intriguing optical properties by incorporating fjord edges.This work was financially supported by the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), the Max Planck Society, JSPS KAKENHI Grant No. JP19K24686, and the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program under grant agreement no. 101017821 (LIGHT-CAP). G. M. P thanks Fondazione Cariplo (Grant no. 2018-0979) for financial support. Researchers from the University of Alicante acknowledge support from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and the European Union (Next Generation EU) through grant no. PID2020-119124RB-I00; and to the Conselleria de Innovación, Universidades y Sociedad Digital de la Comunidad Valenciana (Grant No. AICO/2021/093)