Graphene and other 2D layered hybrid nanomaterial-based films: Synthesis, properties, and applications

This Special Issue contains a series of reviews and research articles demonstrating actual perspectives and future trends of 2D-based materials for the generation of functional films, coatings, and hybrid interfaces with controlled morphology and structure

Multifunctional Nanomaterials for Energy Applications

In the last few decades, global energy requirements have grown exponentially, and increased demand is expected in the upcoming decades [...

Interplay between Fe-Titanate Nanotube Fragmentation and Catalytic Decomposition of C2H4: Formation of C/TiO2 Hybrid Interfaces

This paper reports the synthesis of Fe-titanate nanotubes by means of the conventional ion-exchange method with iron nitrate solutions. As the iron-rich nanotubes were found to contain the catalyst precursor intrinsically dispersed in their structures, the unprecedented possibility of using this kind of materials for building carbon nanostructures, firmly attached at the surface of the forming TiO2 nanoparticles, was verified. The catalytic decomposition of ethylene, used as a carbon source, was performed at a relatively high temperature (750 °C) when the nanotubes undergo an irreversible phase transformation to form anatase and rutile nanoparticles. Due to the different amounts of Fe ions in the nanotubes, distinct types of carbon/TiO2 hybrid interfaces were formed, ranging from amorphous (lower Fe3+ concentration) to the more crystalline graphitic domains (higher Fe3+ concentrations), as documented by the microstructure of the treated samples. The present approach is of potential interest for (photo)catalytic and energy conversion/transport applications

Sulfur-doped TiO2: Structure and surface properties

A comprehensive study on the sulfur doping of TiO2, by means of H2S treatment at 673 K, has been performed in order to highlight the role of sulfur in affecting the properties of the system, as compared to the native TiO2. The focus of this study is to find a relationship among the surface, structure, and morphology properties, by means of a detailed chemical and physical characterization of the samples. In particular, transmission electron microscopy images provide a simple tool to have a direct and immediate evidence of the effects of H2S action on the TiO2 particles structure and surface defects. Furthermore, from spectroscopy analyses, the peculiar surface, optical properties, and methylene blue photodegradation test of S-doped TiO2 samples, as compared to pure TiO2, have been investigated and explained by the effects caused by the exchange of S species with O species and by the surface defects induced by the strong H2S treatment