SilicaePMMA nanocomposites with different silica quantities were prepared by a melt compounding\ud method. The effect of silica amount, in the range 1e5 wt.%, on the morphology, mechanical properties\ud and thermal degradation kinetics of PMMA was investigated by means of transmission electron\ud microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric\ud analyses (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 13C cross-polarization magic-angle\ud spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (13C{1H} CP-MAS NMR) and measures of proton spinlattice\ud relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1r(H)), in the laboratory frame (T1(H)) and cross-polarization\ud times (TCH). Results showed that silica nanoparticles are well dispersed in the polymeric matrix\ud whose structure remains amorphous. The degradation of the polymer occurs at higher temperature in\ud the presence of silica because of the interaction between the two components

A Ce:YAG-poly(methyl methacrylate) composite was prepared using in situ polymerization by embedding the Ce:YAG nanopowder in a blend of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-methacrylic acid (MAA) monomers and activating the photopolymerization using a radical initiator. The obtained nanocomposite was yellow and transparent. Its characterization was performed using transmission electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, (13)C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Results showed that Ce:YAG nanoparticles are well dispersed in the polymeric matrix whose structure is organized in a lamellar shape. The luminescence properties of the nanocomposite do not show quenching or a significant spectral shift, indicating that the nanocomposite can be useful for advanced applications such as white LED construction.

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Dispersions of graphene oxide (GO) nanoribbons in ionic liquids, ILs (either 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BMIM-Cl-) or 1-butylpyridinium chloride (-Bupy-Cl-)) have been used to assemble modified screen printed electrodes (SPEs). The graphene oxide/ionic liquid dispersions have been morphologically and structurally characterized by the use of several techniques: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, high-resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). The assembled modified SPEs have then been challenged with various compounds and compared to several electro-active targets. In all cases high peak currents were detected, as well as significant potential shifts, especially in the detection of catecholamines and NADH, compared with the bare SPE and the conventional electrodes, such as glassy carbon (GC) and highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG). This opens the way to the assembly of new types of sensors and biosensors. The enhanced performances observed are attributed to electrocatalytic effects related to the high electrode surface area, to oxygen-assisted electron transfer, as well as to the disordering effect of the ILs, this latter related to the favorable π-π interactions with the ILs and the GO plane.

A series of tungsten and nitrogen doped Pt-TiO 2 samples were prepared with the aim to extend the TiO 2 absorption to the visible light region and to enhance the separation efficiency of the photogenerated electron/hole pairs. The physicochemical features of the powders were characterized by Xray diffraction (XRD), UV/Vis reflectance spectra, specific surface area (SSA) determinations, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses. The influence of the presence of different [a] "Schiavello

Co-doped Ce3+, Cr3+ and Pr3+ yttrium–aluminium–gallium garnet powders of various sizes were obtained by co-precipitation method. The microstructure and morphology were investigated by XRPD, TEM and gas porosimetry. The luminescence properties were studied by excitation and emission spectra, quantum yield and decay times. Thermoluminescence measurements were performed to evaluate the activation energy, traps redistribution and frequency factor. Limitation in the energy transfer between dopant ions in the small particles, traps depth and surface defects were considered and investigated as responsible for the quenching of persistent luminescence. The phosphors annealed at 1100 °C show the optimal persistent luminescence and nano-particle size.

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Streptomycetes are widely distributed in nature and characterized by a complex life cycle that involves morphological differentiation. They are very relevant in industry because they produce about half of all clinically used antibiotics, as well as other important pharmaceutical products of natural origin. Streptomyces coelicolor is a model organism for the study of bacterial differentiation and bioactive molecule production. S. coelicolor produces extracellular vesicles which carry many molecules, such as proteins and metabolites, including antibiotics.