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Scientific Papers in SCI



2021


Química de Superficies y Catálisis

Guaiacol hydrodeoxygenation in hydrothermal conditions using N-doped reduced graphene oxide (RGO) supported Pt and Ni catalysts: Seeking for economically viable biomass upgrading alternatives

Parrilla-Lahoz, S; Jin, W; Pastor-Perez, L; Carrales-Alvarado, D; Odriozola, JA; Dongil, AB; Reina, TR
Applied Catalysis A-General, 611 (2021) 117977

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Herein we present an innovative route for model biomass compounds upgrading via “H2-free” hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reactions. The underlaying idea is to implement a multifunctional catalyst able to activate water and subsequently use in-situ generated hydrogen for the HDO process. In this sense we have developed a series of effective Ni and Pt based catalysts supported on N-promoted graphene decorated with ceria. The catalyst reached commendable conversion levels and selectivity to mono-oxygenated compounds considering the very challenging reaction conditions. Pt outperforms Ni when the samples are tested as-prepared. However, Ni performance is remarkably boosted upon applying a pre-conditioning reductive treatment. Indeed, our NiCeO2/GOr-N present the best activity/selectivity balance and it is deemed as a promising catalyst to conduct the H2-free HDO reaction. Overall, this “proof-concept” showcases an economically appealing route for bio-compounds upgrading evidencing the key role of advanced catalysts for a low carbon future.


February, 2021 | DOI: 10.1016/j.apcata.2020.117977

Collagen Type I Biomaterials as Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

Rico-Llanos, GA; Borrego-Gonzalez, S; Moncayo-Donoso, M; Becerra, J; Visser, R
Polymers, 13 (2021) art599

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Collagen type I is the main organic constituent of the bone extracellular matrix and has been used for decades as scaffolding material in bone tissue engineering approaches when autografts are not feasible. Polymeric collagen can be easily isolated from various animal sources and can be processed in a great number of ways to manufacture biomaterials in the form of sponges, particles, or hydrogels, among others, for different applications. Despite its great biocompatibility and osteoconductivity, collagen type I also has some drawbacks, such as its high biodegradability, low mechanical strength, and lack of osteoinductive activity. Therefore, many attempts have been made to improve the collagen type I-based implants for bone tissue engineering. This review aims to summarize the current status of collagen type I as a biomaterial for bone tissue engineering, as well as to highlight some of the main efforts that have been made recently towards designing and producing collagen implants to improve bone regeneration.


February, 2021 | DOI: 10.3390/polym13040599

Nanotecnología en Superficies y Plasma - Tribología y Protección de Superficies

Patterning and control of the nanostructure in plasma thin films with acoustic waves: mechanical vs. electrical polarization effects

García-Valenzuela, A.; Fakhouri, A.; Oliva-Ramírez, M.; Rico-Gavira, V.; Rojas, T.C.; Alvarez, R.; Menzel, S.B.; Palmero, A.; Winkler, A.; González-Elipe, A.R.
Materials Horizons, 8 (2021) 515-524

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Nanostructuration and 2D patterning of thin films are common strategies to fabricate biomimetic surfaces and components for microfluidic, microelectronic or photonic applications. This work presents the fundamentals of a surface nanotechnology procedure for laterally tailoring the nanostructure and crystalline structure of thin films that are plasma deposited onto acoustically excited piezoelectric substrates. Using magnetron sputtering as plasma technique and TiO2 as case example, it is demonstrated that the deposited films depict a sub-millimetre 2D pattern that, characterized by large lateral differences in nanostructure, density (up to 50%), thickness, and physical properties between porous and dense zones, reproduces the wave features distribution of the generated acoustic waves (AW). Simulation modelling of the AW propagation and deposition experiments carried out without plasma and under alternative experimental conditions reveal that patterning is not driven by the collision of ad-species with mechanically excited lattice atoms of the substrate, but emerges from their interaction with plasma sheath ions locally accelerated by the AW-induced electrical polarization field developed at the substrate surface and growing film. The possibilities of the AW activation as a general approach for the tailored control of nanostructure, pattern size, and properties of thin films are demonstrated through the systematic variation of deposition conditions and the adjustment of AW operating parameters.


February, 2021 | DOI: 10.1039/D0MH01540G

Tribología y Protección de Superficies

Long-term low friction maintenance and wear reduction on the ventral scales in snakes

Sanchez-Lopez, JC; Schaber, CF; Gorb, SN
Materials Letters, 285 (2021) 129011

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Snake skins evolved to withstand permanent friction and wear during sliding. Here, the microstructure of ventral scales of the snake Lampropeltis getula californiae was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, and the long-term dynamic friction behavior was investigated by reciprocating sliding friction tests. A smooth epoxy resin with similar elasticity modulus and hardness was used for comparison purposes. Strong differences in frictional and wear mechanisms between the two materials were revealed in spite of similar mechanical properties. Snake skin showed a considerably lower frictional coefficient that kept stable over several thousands of sliding cycles. A reduction of the stick-slip behavior was also denoted by analyzing the variation of the friction coefficient in the forward and reverse motion influencing the wear mechanism. This frictional behavior can be explained by three different but complementary mechanisms: fibrous layered composite material of the skin with a gradient of material properties, surface microstructure, and the presence of ordered layers of lipid molecules at the skin surface.


February, 2021 | DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2020.129011

Materiales Coloidales

Dysprosium and Holmium Vanadate Nanoprobes as High-Performance Contrast Agents for High-Field Magnetic Resonance and Computed Tomography Imaging

Gomez-Gonzalez, E; Nunez, NO; Caro, C; Garcia-Martin, ML; Fernandez-Afonso, Y; de la Fuente, JM; Balcerzyk, M; Ocana, M
Inorganic Chemistry, 60 (2021) 152-160

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We describe a wet chemical method for the synthesis of uniform and well-dispersed dysprosium vanadate (DyVO4) and holmium vanadate (HoVO4) nanoparticles with an almost spherical shape and a mean size of ∼60 nm and their functionalization with poly(acrylic acid). The transverse magnetic relaxivity of both systems at 9.4 T is analyzed on the basis of magnetic susceptibility and magnetization measurements in order to evaluate their potential for application as high-field MRI contrast agents. In addition, the X-ray attenuation properties of these systems are also studied to determine their capabilities as computed tomography contrast agent. Finally, the colloidal stability under physiological pH conditions and the cytotoxicity of the functionalized NPs are also addressed to assess their suitability for bioimaging applications.


January, 2021 | DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c02601

 

 

 

 

 

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