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ZnO nanomaterials are gaining lots of attention due to their biocompatible nature coupled with promising piezoelectric properties, envisioning a new generation of lead-free smart materials. Herein, an effective strategy to improve the piezoelectric behaviour of sputtered ZnO thin films is proposed by introducing a nanobranched porous thin film structure composed by a network of randomly-oriented wurtzite crystallites, rather than using compact ZnO thin films, considered in this work as a conventional reference for sputtered ZnO thin film structures. The nanobranched ZnO structure shows a hydrophilic behavior together with a piezoelectric output voltage of around 3 V. In comparison, compact ZnO thin films exhibit a maximum piezoelectric voltage generation below 0.8 V and a hydrophobic state. The more defective structure of the nanobranched ZnO thin films, with respect of the long-range ordered crystal structure of compact ZnO thin films, reduces free carrier concentration and mobility, thus limiting the screening potential and at the same time improving piezoelectric voltage generation. All the characterization results highlight the promising perspectives in using nanobranched ZnO thin films as novel piezoelectric materials for biosensing and tissue engineering applications, as well as for lead-free piezoelectric sensors and energy harvesting systems.

The realization of nanocomposite materials with topologically tailored composition and functional properties represents an important technological challenge for many applications such as optics and electronics. In the last years a great effort has been devoted to develop techniques that, by controlling the generation and the distribution of nanoparticles, allow the realization of structured metal/polymer nanocomposites. In this work we present a novel methodology for the realization of patterned silver/polymer nanocomposites generated in a polymeric matrix starting from a single formulation exploiting a fully photoinduced dual wavelength method, maintaining control over size distribution, with a straightforward influence on electronic/plasmonic/photonic properties. A step by step study of the process was carried out, investigating both the polymerization kinetics and the nanoparticles generation. Finally patterning in the polymeric matrix was performed through photolithographic technology and a washing process was developed in order to stabilize the material toward ageing. This technique opens new perspectives in the realization of multifunctional materials and devices exploiting electronic/plasmonic/photonic properties of the embedded nanoparticles and it is envisaged to be further improved by applying region-selective techniques.

Resistive switching phenomena are of paramount importance in the area of memory devices. In the present study, we have fabricated a simple resistive switching device using a solution processable nanocomposite based on silver nitrate and poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene). The change in resistance is ascribed to an initial ionic conduction, followed by a non-continuous field induced filament formation. The switching device fabricated with the above-mentioned active matrix displayed a volatile switching behavior. The addition of room temperature ionic liquid plays a fundamental role in triggering permanent memory and reducing the set voltage range up to ten-fold. The change in switching behavior with respect to the applied voltage bias and compliance level set during electrical characterization was studied thoroughly. The present work also gives a glimpse into the importance of device architecture on resistive switching phenomena.

Graphene based materials are attracting great attention every day due to their outstanding properties. Widening their potentialities through synergic effects in conjunction with other materials represents an intriguing challenge in order to obtain lighter and multi-functional composites. In this paper, novel self-standing graphene-based paper-like sheets are investigated, obtained via a facile dual step UV-induced process. This method, employing graphene oxide as a starting material, allows the obtaining of polymeric functionalized reduced graphene oxide papers that could be easily handled, featuring improved mechanical and peculiar electrical properties. The mechanical and thermal properties were investigated as well as their electrical response under different stimuli, such as temperature and humidity, showing remarkable changes.