Scientific Papers in SCI

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a bio-based polymer with high potential; however, its inherent brittleness restricts its practical applications. This work evaluates ethylene brassylate (EB), a macrocyclic diester of natural origin, as a plasticizer for PLA at 5–20 wt%. Thermal analysis confirmed a plasticizing effect, with the glass transition temperature decreasing from 59.9 °C in neat PLA to 38.0 °C in PLA-20 EB. Mechanical tests showed that 20 wt% EB increased elongation at break from 10 % (neat PLA) to over 460 % and improved impact resistance by ∼70 %. Furthermore, moisture resistance was preserved, and microscopy confirmed good miscibility with no phase separation. Under composting, degradation occurs more rapidly in proportion to EB content, reaching ∼90 % mass loss after four weeks. Migration tests revealed values below 40 mg kg⁻¹ for PLA-EB < 10 wt% EB, whereas PLA-15 EB reached the regulatory limit. EB is therefore an efficient bio-based plasticizer for PLA, offering enhanced ductility, toughness, and biodegradation, with promising applications in sustainable packaging, especially for refrigerated and cold-chain storage. © 2025 The Authors

Metal halide perovskite solar cells (MHPSCs) hold great promise due to their high efficiency and low fabrication costs, but their long-term stability under environmental conditions remains the main challenge. However, their long-term operational stability under environmental stress remains a critical limitation for commercialization. In this work, we explore a dual passivation strategy using ultrathin adamantane-based plasma polymer (ADA) films, deposited via remote plasma-assisted vacuum deposition (RPAVD), to enhance the environmental stability of MHPSCs. The ADA layers are introduced simultaneously at both the electron transport layer (ETL)/perovskite and perovskite/hole transport layer (HTL) interfaces, offering a conformal, transparent, and thermally stable coating compatible with delicate perovskite films. This approach enables interfacial defect passivation and acts as a protective barrier against moisture and UV-induced degradation. Devices incorporating ADA layers exhibit significantly improved stability under harsh conditions, retaining 80 % of their initial efficiency after 4000 min over extended exposure to humidity and continuous illumination. These results demonstrate the potential of multifunctional plasma-polymer coatings for the scalable and robust fabrication of perovskite solar cells with enhanced durability.

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are promising materials for next-generation optoelectronic devices due to their exceptional optical properties. However, poor long-term stability remains a major challenge. In this study, formamidium lead bromide (FAPbBr3) NCs are embedded in a mesoporous silica matrix to enhance stability and explore exciton transport mechanisms. These NCs display a narrow photoluminescence (PL) linewidth of 25 meV at 7 K. The absence of surface ligands leads to reduced interparticle spacing, favoring non-radiative F & ouml;rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) as the dominant exciton transport mechanism. Using time-resolved and spectrally-resolved PL spectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures, it is observed significant spectral redistribution over time, indicating energy transfer from higher-energy to lower-energy NCs. To quantitatively interpret these dynamics, a theoretical model based on a 2D array of coupled NCs, incorporating F & ouml;rster's theory to simulate exciton diffusion is employed. This model successfully reproduces the experimentally observed PL decay behavior, confirming FRET-mediated exciton transport with an upper-limit efficiency close to 100% and a transfer rate of 105 ns-1. These findings offer key insights into energy transfer processes in ligand-free perovskite NC systems and underscore the potential of mesoporous silica matrices for improving stability and enabling control over excitonic interactions in perovskite-based optoelectronic applications.

In this work, different materials based on TiO2 coupled with either AgBr or Ag3PO4 were synthesized. The Ag3PO4(50%)/TiO2 powder photocatalyst prepared by deposition-precipitation method showed higher antimicrobial activity than the bare TiO2 and also than the same coupled powder obtained by sol-gel method. This material achieved 100% E. coli, coliforms, and other enterobacteria elimination. The high bactericidal efficiency of this material could be attributed to the improved properties obtained by coupling Ag3PO4 and TiO2, such as high absorption in the visible region, low band-gap value, and high surface hydroxylation. The sol-gel method was chosen for the production of photocatalytic coatings on borosilicate glass tubes based on TiO2 and Ag3PO4/TiO2 materials due to the ease of its preparation procedure and its suitability for dip coating. In this series, the most effective elimination of E. coli, coliforms, and other enterobacteria was achieved with the glass tubes coated with the laboratory-prepared TiO2 sol. Interestingly, this material presented superior antimicrobial performance as coating (100% of E. coli elimination) compared to its powder form. The titania coating also showed the best efficiency in the degradation of methylene blue (i.e., 95.2%), though this material lost 30% of its photoactivity after four reaction cycles.

Deploying reliable and sustainable large-scale energy storage is a significant challenge for the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources. Thermal energy storage solutions can provide scalable solutions for renewable power and industrial processes. The calcium looping-based energy storage system stands out for its high energy density, low cost, non-toxicity, and wide availability of limestone as a precursor material. The thermochemical energy storage cyclic process occurs through the calcination of calcium carbonate and its subsequent recovery through carbonation of calcium oxide. This work presents the development and tests of a novel entrained flow carbonator developed during the SOCRATCES EU project. The results show for the first time a successful CaO carbonation reaction in kW-scale equipment under energy storage conditions. The carbonation reaction occurs in an entrained flow reactor in few seconds at the temperature and pressure conditions required for the Calcium-looping-based energy storage system (700-800 degrees C). It demonstrates the feasibility of the entrained flow reactor concept for carbonation and its potential for MW-scale solar plants.

Liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) is a versatile and scalable method for producing high-quality two-dimensional materials (2DMs). However, commonly used solvents such as dimethylformamide (DMF) or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) are highly toxic, limiting their potential for large-scale industrial applications. In this study, we address this challenge using Cyrene (dihydrolevoglucosenone), a nontoxic and biodegradable solvent, for the exfoliation of several materials, including graphene, MoS₂, WS₂, MoO₃, V₂O₅, and hBN (hexagonal boron nitride). Exfoliation was carried out using low-powered bath sonication, a cost effective and energy efficient method and optimization was conducted to maximize the final concentration of exfoliated material. To assess the potential of Cyrene for LPE, extensive characterization and comparison of the produced 2DMs with their precursors was performed. The highest ink concentrations were observed for MoS₂ (2.6 mg mL⁻¹), followed by hBN (2.3 mg mL⁻¹) and V₂O₅ (1.9 mg mL⁻¹), demonstrating the ability of Cyrene to effectively stabilize a variety of 2D materials in dispersion. Structural and morphological properties of the exfoliated materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM). XRD patterns mainly showed only one reflection revealing the oriented nature of the materials, with significant broadening of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) compared to the original materials. Also, Raman spectroscopy spectra for graphene showed ratios characteristic of multi-layered structures and SEM imaging revealed a broad distribution of flake sizes. This work highlights the potential of Cyrene as a sustainable and efficient solvent for LPE of diverse 2D materials. The systematic optimization method presented here achieves high dispersion concentrations in a repeatable manner using low-power and ecofriendly means. These findings establish a foundation for the scalable production of 2D inks, enabling their use in advanced applications such as electrode, dielectric and semiconductor layers of electronic devices.

A novel ternary heterostructure based on g-C3N4/N-TiO2/Y1.97SiO5:Ce-0.03 was synthesized via thermal treatment and evaluated for the photocatalytic degradation of two antibiotic pollutants, chloramphenicol (CAP) and vancomycin (VAN), in aqueous solution. The composite was designed to function as a photoactive platform, in which Ce3+-doped Y2SiO5 acts as an internal light converter, emitting at similar to 430 nm upon UV excitation (365 nm) to enhance activation of the g-C3N4/N-TiO2 interface. Structural and morphological characterizations (WAXD, FTIR, XPS, TEM) confirmed the formation of a well-integrated heterostructure with strong interfacial interactions. The photocatalyst achieved near-complete removal of CAP (99.7 %) and VAN (100 %) under UV light, and also showed high efficiency under simulated solar irradiation and in real water matrices. These results demonstrate the synergistic light-conversion and charge-transfer properties of the composite, underscoring its potential as a sustainable and scalable solution for antibiotic pollutant removal in water treatment applications.

The conformation of a NiCo catalyst promoted by CePr on FeCrAlloy thermally pretreated micromonoliths was investigated via washcoating using a colloidal suspension of the catalytic precursor (hydrotalcite, HT) without the use of additives. A high affinity was established between the nature of the reconstructed HT and the layer of the formed alumina microstructures obtained after thermal treatment, which exhibited high material adhesion. The effect of the amount of catalyst incorporated into the sinusoidal microchannels of monoliths was also investigated. The catalytic performance was evaluated for the production of H-2 from oxidative steam reforming of ethanol (OSRE) and compared with that of a powder catalyst (slurry) and an uncoated micromonolith. The results indicated notable benefits from the micromonoliths, especially when incorporating low amounts of catalyst with low layer thicknesses-LT (8 gL-1, layer thickness similar to 0.3 mu m), achieved a hydrogen yield of 2.86 mol(H2)mol(EtOH)(-1), comparable to that of the powder catalyst benchmark (2.91 mol(H2)mol(EtOH)(-1)), but with enhanced stability at 65 h and improved heat and mass transport characteristics. Overall, this study opens the way for the promising feasibility of scaling up the OSRE reaction to produce H-2.

This paper explores the effectiveness of boron nitride nanosheets in preventing the premature failure of yttriastabilized tetragonal zirconia ceramics, particularly in humid environments. A simple, low-cost and scalable technique-shear exfoliation in a kitchen blender-was used to prepare BNNS, and pure zirconia and composites with 1, 2.5 and 5 vol. % BNNS were spark plasma sintered. Accelerated hydrothermal ageing experiments in autoclave revealed a remarkable improvement of low temperature degradation resistance in all the composites. Fracture toughness and slow crack growth of the composites with 1 and 2.5 vol. % BNNS were evaluated by bending tests performed in notched specimens. Although the composites presented fracture toughness values similar to those of the reference zirconia, an increase of similar to 18 % on crack-tip toughness was achieved. Similar Rcurves evaluated in air and in oil-impregnated 2.5 vol. % BNNS composites revealed a limitation of stress-assisted corrosion by water in zirconia, thanks to the BNNS incorporation.

Herein we report a green mechanochemical synthesis with low energy input of dual-function materials for integrated CO₂ capture and dry reforming of methane. The materials produced syngas during the CH₄ step (up to 0.6 mmol g⁻¹ CO and 7.7 mmol g⁻¹ H₂) and CO during the CO₂ step (up to 3.1 mmol g⁻¹) via the reverse Boudouard reaction due to the carbon produced from CH₄ cracking.

Cardiovascular mortality remains a major health challenge. Cardiomyocyte (CM)-based tissue engineering (TE) offers promising alternatives for developing therapies via in vitro models. However, the immature phenotype of CM in engineered tissues hampers progress. Recent studies introduce conductive materials like graphene to enhance CM maturation, but conventional graphene synthesis suffers from complexity, toxicity, and low yield. Laser-induced graphene (LIG) provides a sustainable, cost-effective, eco-friendly solution with efficient conductivity and biocompatibility. A LIG-based substrate is bioengineered in this study, hypothesizing that its conductive, anisotropic properties promote CM maturation and mimic the native cardiac niche. LIG is fabricated using a CO2 laser with Parylene-C as a precursor. Stem cells (SCs) and SC-derived embryoid bodies (EBs) are cultured on LIG substrates, and their viability, metabolic activity, morphology, and protein expression are evaluated through immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Both SCs and EBs maintain viability and activity throughout the culture. Moreover, EB-derived CM exhibit spontaneous contraction and express cardiac-specific proteins, confirming functional differentiation on LIG matrices. This first report demonstrates that LIG substrates support SC culture and differentiation, highlighting their potential in developing refined in vitro cardiac models and advancing regenerative therapeutic strategies. The findings support LIG as a transformative advancement in TE.

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics (Ba1-xCax) (Ti1-yHfy)O-3 with stoichiometries close to the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) were synthesized by high-energy ball milling. The influence of Hf and Ca contents and the sintering method (conventional and hot-press) on the piezoelectric, dielectric, and ferroelectric response was investigated. It was confirmed that the different phases stabilized at room temperature and the structural distortion are strongly dependent on the stoichiometry. The coexistence of tetragonal, orthorhombic and rhombohedral phases was observed in samples with the lowest Ca and Hf contents. These samples, which are in the MPB region, also showed the greatest structural distortion, resulting in higher values of d(33). Samples with lower Hf content exhibited a higher coercive field, remnant polarization, and temperature in the ferroelectric to paraelectric transition. Despite the high sintering temperature leading to high densification, grain growth during sintering was limited because of the use of mechanochemically synthesized powders. Although Ba0.85Ca0.15Hf0.10Ti0.90O3 stoichiometry has been reported in the literature as the best for piezoelectric properties, in this work, BCHT solid solution with the lowest dopant content studied (Ba0.90Ca0.10Hf0.05Ti0.95O3) showed the best combination of functional properties. Ceramics of this composition with grain size <2 mu m exhibited a d(33) > 250 pC/N, with almost no relaxation after 24 h, and the highest permittivity. In the field of piezoelectric materials, there is considerable interest in reducing grain size while maintaining high piezoelectric performance, as this can lead to improvements in mechanical properties.

In this study, the potential of a bimetallic Metal-Organic Framework Zn-MIL53(Fe) for electro-Fenton catalysis was evaluated. After the material characterisation, its catalytic activity was validated in Fenton reaction to degrade a model organic pollutant: Rhodamine B. After that, the evaluation of Zn-MIL53(Fe) as electro-Fenton catalyst was performed and improved outcomes were reached by electro-Fenton regarding anodic oxidation. Then, electro-Fenton treatment optimisation was carried out using response surface methodology assays considering different catalyst dosages (7.2-43.2 mg), current intensities (5-45 mA) and treatment time (30-90 min) in a volume of 0.1 L. Under optimal conditions, a degradation rate over 90 % for Fluoxetine and Sulfamethoxazole in synthetic wastewater was achieved within 90 min, using graphite sheet as anode and nickel foam as cathode (25 mA), with a catalyst dosage of 43.2 mg in a volume of 0.1 L. Additionally, its application in the pathogen inactivation was evaluated using different gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Complete eliminations of both types of bacteria were reached in 5 min using the optimal conditions. In the end, Zn-MIL53(Fe) was proven as a reusable material, capable of performing 3 complete cycles of electro-Fenton treatment for both types of pollutants bacteria and pharmaceuticals, which makes it a promising candidate for more efficient wastewater treatment applications which involve the Fenton reaction.

Fogging, icing, or frosting on optical lenses, optics/photonics, windshields, vehicle/airplane windows, and solar panel surfaces have often shown serious safety concerns with hazardous conditions and impaired sight. Various active techniques, such as resistive heating, and passive techniques, such as icephobic treatments, are widely employed for their prevention and elimination. However, these methods are not always suitable, effective, or efficient. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals and recent advances of transparent thin-film surface acoustic wave (SAW) technologies on glass substrates for monitoring and prevention/elimination of fogging, frosting, and icing. Key challenges related to fogging and icing on glass substrates are discussed, along with fundamental mechanisms that establish thin-film SAWs as optimal solution for these issues. Various types of thin-film acoustic wave technologies are discussed, including recent wearable and flexible SAW devices integrated onto glass substrates for expanding future applications. The focus of this review is on the principles and strategies for hybrid or integrated de-fogging/de-icing and sensing/monitoring functions. Finally, critical issues and future outlooks for thin-film-based SAW technology on glass substrates in industry applications are presented

Graphene and its composites have attracted much attention for applications in energy storage systems. However, the toxic solvents required for the exfoliation process have hampered the exploitation of its properties. In this work, graphene dispersions are obtained via liquid phase exfoliation (LPE) of graphite in cyrene, an environmentally friendly solvent with solubility parameters like those of N-methyl-2-pirrolidone. The obtained dispersions with a concentration of 0.2 mg ml-1 comprised multilayered graphene sheets with lateral sizes in the hundreds of nanometers, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Mixing the obtained dispersions with ethanol made it possible to collect the graphene, which was redispersed in 2-Propanol. This active material was used to fabricate supercapacitor electrodes using a scalable spray deposition method on carbon nanotube (CNT) current collectors with the aid of vinyl masks. The device, tested with a PVA/LiCl gel electrolyte, achieved a specific capacitance of 3.4 mF cm(-2) (0.015 mA cm(-2)). In addition, the devices show excellent cycling stability (>10 000 cycles at 0.5 mA cm(-2)) and good mechanical properties, losing less than 10% of initial capacitance after 1000 bending cycles. This work demonstrates the adaptability of liquid-phase exfoliation to produce graphene sustainably, providing the proof-of-concept for further 2D materials processing and green microsupercapacitor (MSC) fabrication.

Carbon materials are essential for emerging energy applications and there is a pressing need to be able to produce carbons with controlled properties from sustainable precursors. Iron-catalysed graphitization of biomass is an attractive approach, where simple iron salts are used to convert organic matter to graphitic carbons at relatively low temperature. The choice of iron salt can have a significant impact on the chemical and structural properties of carbons derived from biomass. In this paper, we report a detailed mechanistic investigation of iron catalysed graphitization of cellulose by Fe(NO3)3 and FeCl3. In situ small and wide angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopy show that the evolution of catalyst particles from the two salts follows very different pathways. Remarkably, graphitization by FeCl3 is an order of magnitude faster than by Fe(NO3)3.

This study investigates the high-temperature stability and phase composition of two high-entropy oxides (HEOs), (Mn0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cu0.2Fe0.2)Fe2O4 and (Mn0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cu0.2Mg0.2)Fe2O4, prepared as single-phase samples using the reactive flash sintering technique. Results show that the annealing temperature in a nitrogen atmosphere has a significant impact on the stability of the compounds. The destabilization of the spinel structure occurs in a twostep process: spinel HEO -> spinel HEO + Fe2O3 -> spinel HEO + Cu based-oxide. This sequence is inferred from in-situ XRD experiments and calorimetric analysis, and confirmed by TEM observations. Impedance spectroscopy analysis revealed a complex, thermally activated electrical response comprising bulk and grain boundary contributions. AC conductivity follows Jonscher's universal power law, with a temperature dependence of the S parameter consistent with overlapping large polaron tunneling. These findings provide insight into charge transport and relaxation processes in the prepared HEOs, improving their understanding for potential electrical applications.

In this study, we have advanced the plasma-flash sintering (PFS) technique by demonstrating the preparation of dense ZnO ceramics at room temperature using a moderate electric field of 250 V cm-1 under a low-pressure nitrogen atmosphere. This specific environment facilitates the sequential occurrence of plasma generation followed by the flash sintering event. Compared to traditional flash sintering technique, our approach significantly reduces both energy consumption and processing time, while eliminating the need for a furnace. Impedance spectroscopy confirms that ZnO ceramic produced via this method exhibits enhanced electrical conductivity. Hence, PFS is shown to be a potential tool for tuning the electrical properties of sintered materials at room temperature while boosting energy efficiency.

This study proposes a fast and simple method for the in situ growth of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on metal oxide substrates as an alternative to the traditional approaches of using gold substrates and self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). As a case study, zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF-8) crystals were grown in micro columnar TiO2 films through simple alternate and successive immersions of the TiO2 films into solutions containing the MOFs precursors. The growth process of the MOF crystals in the interstitial spaces between the TiO2 columns was investigated by varying the metal-to-ligand ratio (1:2, 1:4, and 1:8) and by employing modulating agents such as triethylamine. It was found that the optimal deposition of ZIF-8 occurred when using a higher excess of ligand and the addition of triethylamine after a controlled number of immersion cycles. These results were obtained by using glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD) and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) as characterization techniques. Additionally, a density functional theory (DFT) study as well as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and GAXRD experiments were conducted to elucidate the nucleation process. It was concluded that the starting point is the formation of a covalent bond between the Zn cations and the TiO2 on the metal oxide surface after immersion of the film into a Zinc (II) nitrate solution, allowing for the formation of MOF nuclei once the film is subsequently immersed in the 2-methylimidazole solution. The results demonstrate the feasibility of in situ growth of MOF crystals onto metal oxide structures by a layer-by-layer strategy, offering a promising alternative to conventional methods.

In recent years, coffee waste by-products have been incorporated into polymer blends to reduce environmental pollution. In this study, coffee parchment (CP) was incorporated into biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) polymer blends to prepare ribbons through the extrusion process. Extracted green coffee bean oil (CO) was used as a plasticizer, and CP was used as a filler with and without functionalization. A solution of chitosan nanoparticles (ChNp) as a coating was applied to the ribbons. For the raw material, proximal analysis of the CP showed cellulose and lignin contents of 53.09 +/- 3.42% and 23.60 +/- 1.74%, respectively. The morphology of the blends was observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed an increase in the ribbons' thermal stability with the functionalization. The results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed better miscibility for the functionalized samples. The mechanical properties showed that with CP incorporation into the blends and with the ChNp coating, the Young's modulus and the tensile strength decreased with no significant changes in the elongation at break. This work highlights the potential of reusing different by-products from the coffee industry, such as coffee oil from green beans and coffee parchment as a filler, and incorporating them into PLA PBAT biodegradable polymer blend ribbons with a nanostructured antimicrobial coating based on chitosan for future applications in food packaging.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently been proposed as a plausible solution to the pressing issue of water scarcity and as a means of remediating contaminated water bodies. In light-assisted water treatment, they have so far only been exploited via the hydroxyl radical route, through Fenton-like processes. A new avenue is introduced here by the biomimetic conceptual design of MOF bearing hypervalent metal atoms for photocatalytic water treatment. We report a zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) material doped with iron (Fe-ZIF-7-III; UPO-4) synthesized via a novel mild treatment to stabilize photoactive hypervalent ferryl ions for the first time in a MOF for water treatment. The successful synthesis of the 2D material and the adequate incorporation of iron into the structure were demonstrated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A simulation study analyzed the structure and stability of the Fe-ZIF-7-III material as well as the involvement of ferryl ions in the photo-Fenton-type process. Furthermore, the calculated band gap of this material shows its viability for use in photocatalysis using sunlight. This was confirmed by evaluating the photodegradation of caffeine, a model pollutant in water, without the assistance of hydroxyl radicals as indicated by a scavenger test. The recyclability test revealed that Fe-ZIF-7-III could be used continuously with effective catalytic activity, thus opening the door to the field of studying hypervalent metal MOFs not yet explored in water treatment.

The presence of contaminants of emerging concern and antibiotic-resistant bacteria in aquatic environments is a major global challenge. Heterogeneous photo-Fenton-type treatments have proven effective; however, affordable and sustainable catalysts are needed to address real-world water treatment challenges. For the first time, we report the efficacy of a heterogeneous bimetallic Fe-Cu clinoptilolite catalyst, which can remove up to 29 contaminants of emerging concern (pharmaceuticals, metabolites, industrial products, herbicides and insecticides) at concentrations ranging from 6.38 to 2358 ng/L, and inactivate naturally occurring bacteria (Escherichia coli and total coliforms) from Guadaira River water (Spain) to the detection limit of 1 CFU/100 mL. Heterogeneous photo-Fenton (1 g/L of NZ-Fe-Cu catalyst, 2.9 mM H2O2 and visible light: 410-710 nm / 9 W/m2) was the selected method for treating real river water. The successful synthesis of the material was demonstrated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM/ EDX). DR-UV-Vis measurements allowed the estimation of the optical band gap, which was used to evaluate the photocatalytic performance of the bimetallic zeolite. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) allowed the determination of the charge of iron and copper cations in the zeolite. The photocatalytic mechanism of this new material was investigated, including hydroxyl radical detection, reusability, and stability (Fe-and Cu-leaching tests). Complete inactivation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphilococcus aureus (initial concentration approximate to 106 CFU/mL) without further regrowth for 24 h was achieved. These results highlight the potential of this new catalyst for the decontamination and disinfection of river water, supporting its suitability for reclaimed water in agricultural irrigation and its promising applicability in broader wastewater treatment applications.

A novel and straightforward one-step method has been developed for the controlled deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with uniform diameters onto the titanosilicate (TS-1) zeolitic surface via a direct anionic exchange (DAE) approach. This innovative process simultaneously introduces auxiliary mesoporosity into the zeolite framework, overcoming critical limitations associated with traditional microporous catalysts, including diffusion constraints and rapid deactivation. The resultant hierarchical Au/TS-1 catalyst demonstrates remarkable enhancements in catalytic performance for the liquid-phase propylene epoxidation with H2O2 coupled with outstanding stability, a challenge that has long hindered the application of such materials. With its exceptional catalytic properties and simplified preparation procedure, this system represents a significant advancement in catalyst design. The developed material shows great potential for industrial applications and paves the way for the creation of next-generation catalysts essential for sustainable development.

The utilization of nickel-ruthenium as bimetallic catalysts is widely recognized for its efficacy in enhancing the catalytic performance in the carbon dioxide methanation reaction. The present study focuses on the synergistic interplay between both active sites and their respective roles in the reaction mechanism through operando DRIFT-MS analysis. Findings reveal that the bimetallic catalyst is constituted by NiRu nanocrystallites with Ru atoms segregated at defect edge/corner sites, promoting the dissociation of carbon dioxide and the formation of CH x species. Furthermore, Ni atoms predominantly occupy facets or terrace sites, characterized by higher electron density conducive to carbon monoxide hydrogenation to methane. This research offers a comprehensive elucidation of the carbon dioxide methanation mechanism within a bimetallic system and underscores the efficacy of the operando methodology in advancing our fundamental understanding of heterogeneous catalysis.

This work describes the application of three different AgBr heterojunctions with TiO₂, SnO₂ and WO₃ in the treatment of two water sources: wastewater from a dairy industry facility (WDI) and water from a polluted river (WPR). All heterojunctions were widely characterised, and it was observed that the physicochemical properties of all the coupled materials were similar; however, the highest elimination of Enterobacteriaceae (>90%) was obtained with the AgBr/WO₃(20%) photocatalyst in WDI. Under the same conditions, with this photocatalyst, the complete removal of bacteria (i.e., E. coli, total coliforms and other Enterobacteriaceae) was achieved in WPR. The chlorides, hardness and colour in the two water samples decreased after photocatalytic treatment with all the coupled materials. However, nitrate levels and chemical oxygen demand increased due to the possible formation of intermediary species from the photodegradation of organic pollutants and the release of metabolic intermediates from bacterial degradation during the photocatalytic process. Overall, heterogeneous photocatalysis based on AgBr-coupled materials shows potential as a tertiary treatment for WDI and for the purification of vegetable irrigation water. However, it is still important to consider the need to optimise the integrity of photocatalytic materials in order to maintain their bactericidal effectiveness through continuous reuse.

The exploitation of the strong light-matter coupling regime and exciton-polariton condensates has emerged as a compelling approach to introduce strong interactions and nonlinearities into numerous photonic applications. The use of colloidal semiconductor quantum dots with strong three-dimensional confinement as the active material in optical microcavities would be highly advantageous due to their versatile structural and compositional tunability and wet-chemical processability, as well as potentially enhanced, confinement-induced polaritonic interactions. Yet, to date, exciton-polariton condensation in a microcavity has neither been achieved with epitaxial nor with colloidal quantum dots. Here, we demonstrate room-temperature polariton condensation in a thin film of monodisperse, colloidal CsPbBr₃ quantum dots, placed in a tunable optical resonator with a Gaussian-shaped deformation serving as wavelength-scale potential well for polaritons. The onset of polariton condensation under pulsed optical excitation is manifested in emission by its characteristic superlinear intensity dependence, reduced linewidth, blueshift, and extended temporal coherence.

Within these studies, atomic-scale molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to analyze the behavior of water droplets and ice clusters on hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces subjected to high-frequency vibrations. The methodology applied herewith aimed at understanding the phenomena governing the anti-icing and deicing process enabled by surface acoustic waves (SAWs). The complex wave propagation was simplified by in-plane and out-of-plane substrate vibrations, which are relevant to the individual longitudinal and transverse components of SAWs. Since the efficiency of such an active system depends on the energy transfer from the vibrating substrate to water or ice, the agents influencing such transfer as well as the accompanying phenomena were studied in detail. Apart from the polarization of the substrate vibrations (in-plane/out-of-plane), the amplitude and frequency of these vibrations were analyzed through atomic-scale modeling. Further, the surface wettability effect was introduced as a critical factor within the simulation of water or ice sitting on the vibrating substrate. The results of these studies allow identification of the different phenomena responsible for water and ice removal from vibrating surfaces depending on the wave amplitude and frequency. The importance of substrate wetting for anti-icing and deicing has also been analyzed and discussed concerning the future design and optimization of SAW-based systems.

Aromatic hydrocarbons play a pivotal role in various industrial applications, serving as essential building blocks to produce polymers, resins, and specialty chemicals. Traditionally, their synthesis has been reliant on fossil fuels, raising concerns about environmental sustainability and resource depletion. However, recent advancements in the field have paved the way for a paradigm shift, with a focus on biomass-derived synthesis gas as a renewable and environmentally friendly feedstock. This review explores innovative shortcuts in the synthesis of aromatic hydrocarbons, a key area of research that holds promise for a more sustainable and efficient future. As we delve into the intricacies of biomass-derived synthesis gas conversion, we will examine breakthroughs in catalyst development, process optimization, and integrated approaches. By scrutinizing these advancements, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art, highlighting both challenges and opportunities for further exploration. The urgency of addressing environmental concerns and the growing demand for renewable alternatives underscore the importance of reevaluating the methodologies. The unique characteristics of biomass-derived synthesis gas coupled with co-gasification processes present an intriguing avenue for redefining the landscape of aromatic hydrocarbon synthesis. Through this exploration, we seek to unravel the complexities of these innovative shortcuts, offering insights that may contribute to a more sustainable and greener future for the chemical industry.

The synthesis of carbodiimides via nitrene transfer to isocyanides has garnered significant attention in recent years. However, this reaction predominantly relies on homogeneous catalytic systems with high catalyst loadings. In this study, we employed ZIF-67 MOF as a heterogeneous catalyst for carbodiimide synthesis and conducted an in-depth analysis of its stability. Our findings reveal the non-innocent role of catalyst leaching, demonstrating that even as little as 0.04 mol% of leached cobalt species is sufficient to catalyze this reaction. This result is in contrast with previous reports, where 5-10 mol% of homogeneous cobalt-loading is required. Furthermore, this study highlights that lower catalyst loadings are more efficient, particularly in cases where isocyanides exhibit limited stability.