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Many strategies have been adopted to improve the photoinduced features of zinc oxide nanostructures for different application fields. In this work, zinc oxide has been synthesised and decorated by plasmonic metal nanoparticles to enhance its photocatalytic activity in the visible range. Furthermore, an insulating layer of SiO2 has been grown between the surface of zinc oxide nanoflakes and silver nanoparticles. A synthetic procedure that allows the accurate modulation of the insulating layer thickness in the range 5–40 nm has been developed. Evidences highlight the crucial role of the SiO2 layer in dramatically increasing photocatalytic water oxidation promoted by the nanostructure under both UV and visible illumination. An ideal thickness value of about 10 nm has been demonstrated to guarantee the plasmon‐induced resonance energy‐transfer process and to quench the Förster resonance energy‐transfer mechanism; thus, optimising the local surface plasmon resonance effect and water oxidation properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of a collagen scaffold containing iron oxide nanostructures capped by a TiO2 (anatase) layer is reported. The TiO2 shell is proposed to perform a dual role: 1) as an innovative and biocompatible cross-linker agent, providing binding sites to the protein moiety, through the well-known TiO2 chemical affinity towards carboxyl groups, and 2) as a protective surface layer for the paramagnetic core against oxidation. Simultaneously, the presence of the nanostructures confers to the collagen gel sensitivity to an external stimulus; that is, the application of a magnetic field. The hybrid biomaterial was demonstrated to be nontoxic and is proposed as a smart scaffold for the release of bioactive compounds on demand. The tuneable release of a model protein (myoglobin) upon application of a magnetic field was investigated. Myoglobin was loaded in the microporous material and discharge was induced by consecutive magnet applications, leading to release of the protein with high spatio-temporal and dosage control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]