We examined the optoelectronic properties of atomically thin 1D van der Waals heterostructures comprising the single-walled carbon nanotubes (NT) wrapped by insulating BN NT layers and MoS₂ NT outer layers (C@BN@MoS₂NT). We will present the equilibrium properties of such materials (through optical absorption, transmission, reflection, ellipsometry, Raman scattering, THz spectroscopy, and XPS studies) along with the transmission electron microscopy measurements. Through all of these techniques, we evaluated intertube excitonic interactions in addition to the charge transport characteristics of a large area 1D heterostructure. In addition, non-equilibrium, ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy across the visible and terahertz frequency ranges identified that, in the MoS₂ nanotubes, excitons coexisted with a prominent population of free charges.

The winery wastewater (WW) is a major concern for the winery industry due to the high volume generated, high organic carbon content and toxicity associated to the polyphenols. To treat these WW, it can be applied advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), such as heterogeneous photo-Fenton. In this work, it was studied a nanocomposite, ferrocene (Fc), which is a compound formed by nanotubes (2 pentanes with iron inside). Considering that Fc was never used before in the treatment of WW, the aim of this work was (1) to characterize Fc by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), (2) optimize heterogenous photo-Fenton catalyzed by Fc and (3) study the kinetic rate and regeneration of Fc catalyst. The FTIR analysis showed main bands at 3093 cm^-1 associated to C-H stretching and an Fe peak at 476 cm^-1, and SEM images showed that Fc has adsorption capacity. The heterogeneous photo-Fenton was optimized by variation of the pH (3.0 – 7.0), single vs multiple H₂O₂ addition, variation of H₂O₂ concentration (97 – 291 mM) and Fc concentration (0.25 – 1.0 g/L). Results showed that under the best operational conditions, as follows: [Fc] = 0.50 g/L, [H₂O₂] = 194 mM, pH = 3.0, agitation = 350 rpm, radiation UV-C, t = 240 min, it was achieved a total organic carbon (TOC) removal of 82.7%. Fermi’s kinetic model was applied, and it was observed a k_TOC = 4.770x10^-2 min^-1. The Fc catalyst was recuperated, and it was performed 3 consecutive cycles, with a TOC removal of 82.7, 76.2 and 63.9%, respectively, for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd cycles. In conclusion, Fc catalyst provides an efficient TOC removal through heterogeneous photo-Fenton process and demonstrates a high potential for WW treatment.

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) is an important quantum coherence and interference phenomenon in optical and photonic structures. The typical system for EIT involves a three-level, Λ-type, quantum system that interacts coherently with two electromagnetic fields, a weak probe field and a strong coupling field, which individually drive the two allowed electronic transitions of the quantum system. The presence of the coupling field leads to optical transparency of the probe field, which couples the adjacent transition in the quantum system. An interesting alternative of EIT is vacuum induced transparency (VIT), where the external coupling field is replaced by strong coupling with a modified cavity vacuum. VIT has been experimentally realized for atoms in an optical cavity, and has been predicted to occur for quantum systems embedded in other photonic structures, like, for example, photonic crystals, polaritonic-photonic crystal nanofibers, and metamaterials. Here, we show that the strong coupling at the nanoscale, which can occur when a quantum system is placed near a photonic nanostructure, can also lead to VIT. As an example, we study the case where a three-level quantum system is placed near a MoS₂ nanodisk. It has been recently shown that the localized exciton-polariton modes occurring in the MoS₂ nanodisk lead to sharp and high peaks in the Purcell enhancement factor spectrum, leading to strong-light matter coupling with nearby quantum systems. In this work, we show that this effect also leads to VIT in a three-level quantum placed near the MoS₂ nanodisk. We also find that we may obtain either single or multiple VIT effects, depending on the distance between the quantum system and the MoS₂ nanodisk, the radius of the MoS₂ nanodisk, and the free-space decay rate of the quantum system transition at which the strong light-matter coupling occurs.

The quasi majority of exiting deposition methods for implants functionalization for combating implants infections are based on antibiotics. The antimicrobial action of these substances rapidly decreases in time and continuously supply is therefore mandatory. Moreover, viruses, bacteria and fungi adapt in time to the new drugs by developing resistance and forming biofilms. The elaboration of new anti-infective strategy is therefore mandatory with the continuous changes of new generation of viruses, bacteria or fungi. A basically new approach is proposed with this project via MAPLE extension to fabricate antimicrobial coatings for prevention/eradication of inherent surface infections followed by local, sustained of antimicrobial natural agents delivery. This project aims for obtaining functionalized implants covered with innovative biomimetic apatite-lignin-aloe vera (BmAp/Lig/AV) coatings fabricated by Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE). The use of NATURAL AND RENEWABLE PRODUCTS (Lignin and Aloe Vera plant extract) for infections prevention is a green alternative for synthetic currently-used antibiotics, since the concerning phenomenon of primary and secondary resistance to conventional drugs became an alarming life-threatening circumstance. The use of these natural-derived products involves reduced costs and represents an attractive solution for the fabrication of biodegradable thin films with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential

Carbon nanomaterials (CNMs), such as single-walled (SWCNT), multi-walled (MWCNT) carbon nanotubes, and fullerene derivatives, are considered promising agents for the delivery of pharmacological drugs to target organs, including antitumor chemotherapy and theranostics. However, the question arises about CNM’s possible effect on the general toxic and immunotoxic effects of cytostatic preparations when they are administered mutually. This work aimed to study the combined effects of cyclophosphamide (CP) intoxication and CNMs oral administration in male Wistar rats. In two experiments lasting 16 and 35 days MWCNT, SWCNT, or polyhydroxylated fullerenol (PHF60) were administered to control or treated by CP rats, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg of body weight daily prepared as dispersions in drinking water. The lethality and integral parameters of rats were assessed; the content of erythrocytes and leukocytes, biochemical indicators, levels of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors were measured. In the first experiment lasting 16 days, the consumption of both MWCNTs and SWCNTs led to an almost 2-fold decrease in mortality caused by the administration of CP. In the second experiment lasting 35 days, a similar decrease in mortality was noted for SWCNTs; the capability of MWCNTs and PHF60 to increase the survival of animals was also pronounced. Administration of MWCNT, SWCNT, and PHF60 to animals reduced the immunotoxic effects of CP, resulting in increased lymphocyte counts and correction of the imbalance between cytokines and chemokines/growth factors, including IL-4, IL-13, IL-17A, IFN-g, IL-18, GM -CSF, GRO-KC, IL-12p70, IL-1b, IL-7, TNF-a, and VEGF. Thus, various CNMs, when administered together with CP, caused a partial abolition of its general toxic and immunotoxic action, which can be explained by available literature data on the ability of CNMs to enhance the mobilization, migration, and adhesion of blood cells and trigger immune responses.

The rechargeable aqueous zinc ion battery has great promise owing to its non-flammability and low cost, but is still limited by the lack of suitable cathode materials. Vanadium oxides cathode materials suffer from unsatisfactory rate and cycle performance for their poor conductivity and vanadium dissolution in aqueous solutions. Herein, we reported the zinc vanadium oxides with different stoichiometric converted from in-situ electrochemical oxidation of VOOH precursors in various space groups. The introduction of zinc atoms not only improves the conductivity of the materials but also stabilizes the layered structure without hindering ion migration and inhibits vanadium dissolution, thus greatly optimizing the comprehensive behaviors of the battery. The materials obtained through this route possess low crystallinity and such disordered structure facilitates electrolyte penetration and provides shortcuts for ion transportation. Zn_0.36V₂O₅·nH₂O has a specific capacity of 508.3 mAh/g and the retention of 95% and 80% after 2000 and 5000 cycles respectively.

Aqueous Zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have become one of the most prospective energy storage devices. However, Mn-based AZIBs suffer from a bottleneck, that is, Mn³⁺ disproportionation and Jahn-Teller distortion can induce Mn²⁺ dissolution and irreversible phase changes, greatly deteriorating the cycling lifetime. In this work, we report an available cooperation strategy of multiphase manganese oxides (N-Mn₃O₄/MnO) via a two-step solvothermal method to obtain an attractive cathode for AZIBs. The high reversible specific capacity and superior rate performance of this cathode result from the facile charge transfer channel and ions (Zn²⁺ and H⁺) insertion in the porous hybrids featuring phase stability behavior caused by the available synergistic effects of N-doping, heterojunction and porous micron cage. (I) the micron-cage structure is favorable for e^- and Li⁺ transfer; (II) The construction of heterostructures is beneficial to improving the electronic conductivity, because the interface effect and built-in electric field of heterostructures is capable of simultaneously accelerating the transport of ions and electrons; (III) N-C and N-Mn bonds effectively overcome the inherent activation barrier and promote the reaction kinetics. These results all demonstrate the advantages of N-Mn₃O₄/MnO of the hybrid material. The meaning of this work is to put forward a compositional and structural design strategy for the Zn-Mn system for the low-cost and high-performance aqueous rechargeable AZIBs.

Vanadium-based materials are promising cathode materials for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), but the poor cycling stability and low Zn²⁺ migration kinetics limit their electrochemical performance and practical application.Herein, a conductive MOFs intercalated vanadium oxide cathode with a dual energy-storage mechanism is designed and prepared for high specific capacity and long lifespan ZIBs. The intercalated Ni-BTA can not only enlarge the interlayer spacing of vanadium to improve the Zn²⁺ migration kinetics, but also as the active materials to participate the storage of Zn²⁺. This cathode material exhibits an improved specific capacity of 439.3 mAh g^-1 at 0.2 A g^-1 and excellent long cycle durability over 1000 cycles at 5 A g^-1 with a capacity retention of 82.0%. This work of constructing a conductive MOF intercalated vanadium oxide cathode material with a dual energy-storage mechanism paves a novel way for high-energy secondary batteries.

Medical-grade titanium implants were functionalized with hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings of marine origin (derived from fish bones or sea-shells) by Pulsed laser deposition technique. Lithium phosphate, magnesium fluoride and silver were used as doping agents in three different concentrations, of 0.5, 1 and 2 wt.%, respectively. Besides morphological, structural and compositional investigations, the synthesized coatings were also submitted to mechanical testing.

SEM analysis revealed surfaces with rough morphologies, made of generally round-shaped particulates. This type of surface was shown to determine a good adhesion of grown cells and excellent in situ anchorage of implants. XRD and FT-IR investigations demonstrated the synthesis of coatings with different degrees of crystallinity, generally influenced by the concentration of the dopant and the source material. Compositional tests evidenced the presence of trace-elements generally found in the composition of the bone mineral phase, which play a key-role in its functionality. Surfaces with a strong hydrophilic behavior were demonstrated by contact angle measurements. The inferred pull-out bonding strength adherence values were three times higher than the ones imposed by international standard (> 15 MPa) in the case of implant coatings with high biomechanical loads.

Taking into consideration their improved mechanical characteristics and the morphological, structural and compositional results, along with the fact that the base materials are cheap and derived from sustainable resources, one can conclude that these marine-derived materials should be considered as viable candidates to HA synthetic ones, for implant coating applications.

Acknowledgements: Project no. PN-III-P1-1.1-TE2019-1449 (TE 189/2021) and Core Programme 16N/2019.

The development of LSBs is largely hindered by the inferior sulfur utilization and uncontrollable dendritic growth. Herein, a hierarchical functionalization strategy of stepwise catalytic-adsorption-conversion for sulfur species via the synergetic of the efficient catalytic host material and light multifunctional interlayer material has been proposed to concurrently address the issues of the dual-side electrodes. The SnS₂ micro-flowers embedded into the natural three-dimensional interconnected carbonized bacterial cellulose (CBC) nanofibers is presented as a sulfur host, equipping with numerous catalytic sites for the rapid catalytic conversion of sulfur species. Moreover, the distinctive CBC-based heterostructure conductive network as interlayer material is formed through the lewis acid-base interaction of SnO₂/SnS₂ heterostructures with uniform natural hydroxyl groups on the BC surface accompanying with the high conductive CNTs, which achieves rapid anchoring-diffusion-conversion of LiPSs, Li⁺ flux redistributed and uniform Li deposition. LSBs equipped with these two materials exhibits outstanding stable cycling performance, with an ultra-low capacity attenuation of 0.031% per cycle in 1000 cycles at a current density of 1.5 C and 0.046% at 3 C. Furthermore, a favorable specific capacity of 859.5 mAh g^-1 at 0.3 C can be maintained in high sulfur mass loading of 5.2 mg cm^-2. The rationalized design scheme of LSBs in this work provides a feasible solution and promotes the development of other electrochemical applications.