The synthesis and properties of the phases obtained by solid-solid reactions

The presented work encompasses the subject of the studies and the results obtained over the last years by the research workers of the Department of Inorganic Chemistry. They include mainly the studies on the reactivity of metal oxides, searching for new phases in binary and ternary systems of metal oxides as well as describing phase relations establishing in such systems. They also encompass works on the extensive characteristics of physico-chemical properties of the newly obtained compounds

OSIRIS – The scientific camera system onboard Rosetta

The Optical, Spectroscopic, and Infrared Remote Imaging System OSIRIS is the scientific camera system onboard the Rosetta spacecraft (Figure 1). The advanced high performance imaging system will be pivotal for the success of the Rosetta mission. OSIRIS will detect 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko from a distance of more than 106 km, characterise the comet shape and volume, its rotational state and find a suitable landing spot for Philae, the Rosetta lander. OSIRIS will observe the nucleus, its activity and surroundings down to a scale of ~2 cm px−1. The observations will begin well before the onset of cometary activity and will extend over months until the comet reaches perihelion. During the rendezvous episode of the Rosetta mission, OSIRIS will provide key information about the nature of cometary nuclei and reveal the physics of cometary activity that leads to the gas and dust coma. OSIRIS comprises a high resolution Narrow Angle Camera (NAC) unit and a Wide Angle Camera (WAC) unit accompanied by three electronics boxes. The NAC is designed to obtain high resolution images of the surface of comet 7P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko through 12 discrete filters over the wavelength range 250–1000 nm at an angular resolution of 18.6 μrad px−1. The WAC is optimised to provide images of the near-nucleus environment in 14 discrete filters at an angular resolution of 101 μrad px−1. The two units use identical shutter, filter wheel, front door, and detector systems. They are operated by a common Data Processing Unit. The OSIRIS instrument has a total mass of 35 kg and is provided by institutes from six European countrie

Multimodal use of the porphyrin TMPyP: From cancer therapy to antimicrobial applications

The cationic porphyrin meso-tetra(4-N-methylpyridyl)porphine (TMPyP) has a high yield of singlet oxygen generation upon light activation and a strong affinity for DNA. These advantageous properties have turned it into a promising photosensitizer for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this review, we have summarized the current state-of-the-art applications of TMPyP for the treatment of cancer as well as its implementation in antimicrobial PDT. The most relevant studies reporting its pharmacokinetics, subcellular localization, mechanism of action, tissue biodistribution and dosimetry are discussed. Combination strategies using TMPyP-PDT together with other photosensitizers and chemotherapeutic agents to achieve synergistic anti-tumor effects and reduce resistance to therapy are also explored. Finally, we have addressed emerging applications of this porphyrin, including nanoparticle-mediated delivery, controlled drug release, biosensing and G-quadruplex stabilization for tumor growth inhibition. Altogether, this work highlights the great potential and versatility that TMPyP can offer in different fields of biomedicine such us cancer treatment or antimicrobial therapy

Synthesis, thermal stability and unknown properties of Fe1–xAlxVO4 solid solution

A continuous solid solution Fe1-xAlxVO4 was synthesized by conventional ceramic method and characterized by DTA, XRD, IR, UV-Vis/DRS and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Fe1-xAlxVO4 crystallizes in a triclinic system and is isostructural with FeVO4 and AlVO4. With increasing content of Al3+ ions substituted for Fe3+ in the matrix structure of FeVO4 a contraction of crystal lattice was observed, accompanied by shifts of IR absorption bands towards higher wavenumbers and shifts of UV absorption bands towards shorter wavelength. On the basis of the results of UV-Vis investigations, the band gap energies were calculated. The solid solution sample of composition Fe0.67Al0.33VO4 was found to have the highest melting point from among all examined samples, which equals to 870°C. Moreover, the solid product of incongruent melting of Fe1-xAlxVO4 for 0.75 >x≥ 0.5 is Fe1-xAlxVO4 solid solution, richer in iron. On the grounds of Mössbauer investigation, the partition of iron and aluminum ions over three accessible crystallographic sites was established. Fe0.5Al0.5VO4 sample was successfully used as a reactant for Fe4Al4V10W16O85 preparation