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We investigated the adsorption of heavy metal ions on a nanostructured coating of zinc-aluminum layered double hydroxides (Zn-Al LDHs) grown on aluminum foam by one-step hydrothermal process. This approach aimed to increase the interactive surface and provide a more practical medium for removal of toxic heavy metals from aqueous media. The foam coated with LDH was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. After immersion in a copper-rich water solution, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrated the occurrence of adsorbed copper on the LDH-coated foam with two oxidation states: particles of metallic copper Cu(0)with oxidized surface Cu+1. X-ray diffraction showed the presence of Cu(+2)in the LDH structure.

Metal nanoclusters (MNCs) are small aggregates of metal atoms with a mean diameter up to 2 nm, that when excited by electromagnetic radiation of suitable energy present an intense florescence. This optical property can be exploited in many fields such as bioimaging, drug delivery and optical sensing in environmental monitoring. In the present work, we synthesized silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) in water starting from AgNO3 and exploiting poly (methacrylic acid) (PMAA) as capping agent. The reduction of the silver ions Ag(I) to Ag(0) was promoted by the exposition of the solution to UV light radiation for 6 minutes. We studied the UV-Vis absorption and the fluorescence spectra for different pH values. The morphological characterization of the solution was accomplished by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and the statistical analysis showed that the mean diameter of the AgNCs was around 2 nm for the solution at pH = 4 which presented also the strongest fluorescence. Moreover, we studied the time stability of the absorption and fluorescence spectra. AgNCs stored in the dark at 4 °C were stable for more than 60 days. A possible application of the synthesized AgNCs deals with water monitoring by optical sensing based on the change of the fluorescence property in presence of heavy metal ions. Preliminary investigations show a high sensitivity to Pb(II) ions.Metal nanoclusters (MNCs) are small aggregates of metal atoms with a mean diameter up to 2 nm, that when excited by electromagnetic radiation of suitable energy present an intense florescence. This optical property can be exploited in many fields such as bioimaging, drug delivery and optical sensing in environmental monitoring. In the present work, we synthesized silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) in water starting from AgNO3 and exploiting poly (methacrylic acid) (PMAA) as capping agent. The reduction of the silver ions Ag(I) to Ag(0) was promoted by the exposition of the solution to UV light radiation for 6 minutes. We studied the UV-Vis absorption and the fluorescence spectra for different pH values. The morphological characterization of the solution was accomplished by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and the statistical analysis showed that the mean diameter of the AgNCs was around 2 nm for the solution at pH = 4 which presented also the strongest fluorescence. Moreover, we studied the time stability ...

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have recently been proposed as fluorescent sensors for metal ions dissolved in water. The physical origin of this fluorescence is still not completely clear, therefore further studies on GQDs and their properties are required. Graphene-like quantum dots were prepared by oxidation and unfolding of commercial buckminsterfullerene. This process was carried out by a modified Hummers method. After dialysis, the solution was diluted with deionized water to obtain the reference solution for optical measurements. Part of the solution was dried to obtain the unfolded fullerene powder. The metal ions were allowed to interact with GQDs by adding the metal-salt water solution to the stock solution of unfolded fullerene. The properties of GQDs before and after incorporation of metal ions (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni and As) were characterized by using X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), Auger electron spectroscopy, UV–vis and fluorescent spectroscopies. In XPS, a particular attention was given to the analysis of photoemission C 1 s and Auger C KVV spectra in order to determine the carbon electronic configuration and its changes after incorporation of metal ions into GQDs. Obtained quantum dots were composed of graphene with oxidized borders. Optical measurements showed that the interaction with metal ions was changing the fluorescence intensity and optical absorbance, with different characteristics for each distinct ionic species. This behavior could be used for a selective multiple sensor detecting different heavy metals in water solutions.

We have synthesized fluorescent and stable silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) capped with poly (methacrylic acid), PMAA, by UV irradiation process. The NCs are well dispersed in aqueous solution and present a uniform distribution with an average dimension of 1.45 ± 0.26 nm. The fluorescence excited at 340 nm was found to be sensitive to the presence of heavy metal ions in solution. In particular, a peculiar fluorescence enhancement was detected upon interaction with lead(II) ions. A linear behavior of the fluorescence intensity as a function of the Pb2+ concentration was measured and a detection limit of 60 nM was estimated. A possible mechanism of the interaction between AgNCs and metal ions is discussed.

We have synthesized two-dimensional carbon nanoparticles by oxidative unfolding of C60 fullerene and demonstrated that the selective sensitivity of this material to the presence of Cu2+ and Pb2+, resulting in variations of the fluorescence intensity and optical absorbance, is related to nanoparticle aggregation processes. This mechanism occurs through coordination of the metal ions and, above a certain ion concentration, leads to precipitation of the carbon material that reduces the metal content in solution. The effect has been characterized by optical measurements while Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy have been carried out for a precise assessment of the real ion concentration in solution.We have synthesized two-dimensional carbon nanoparticles by oxidative unfolding of C60 fullerene and demonstrated that the selective sensitivity of this material to the presence of Cu2+ and Pb2+, resulting in variations of the fluorescence intensity and optical absorbance, is related to nanoparticle aggregation processes. This mechanism occurs through coordination of the metal ions and, above a certain ion concentration, leads to precipitation of the carbon material that reduces the metal content in solution. The effect has been characterized by optical measurements while Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy have been carried out for a precise assessment of the real ion concentration in solution.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are anionic clays composed by host layers of positively charged metal hydroxide, in which anions are intercalated to neutralize the charge of the positive layers. Because of the positive charge of the structure and because of their properties of anion exchanges, different anions can be intercalated into the structure. In recent years the ionic conductivity of LDHs was studied for use as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries or PVA/LDH hybrid membranes for fuel cells. However, such studies have reported very low values of the electrical conductivity that is less than 10-3 S cm-1 near room temperature. However, the ion conductivities of LDHs depends on the intercalated anion species and may be affected by difference in the synthesis condition. Moreover, the anion conductivity increases with increasing interlayer distance and as more water is adsorbed by LDH. Within this framework, we have intercalated two ionic liquids, tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and 1-buthyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate (Bmim-HSO4) in the interlamellar space with the purpose of increasing the ionic conductivity and decreasing the dependence from the water content. LDH was prepared using the co-precipitation method with controlled pH. The introduction of IL was performed by the intercalation methods. The increase of conductivity was around an order of magnitude in the case of Bmim-HSO4. The LDH-IL can be an interesting material to prepare composite membranes for electrochemical applications.

A novel type of graphene-like quantum dots, synthesized by oxidation and cage-opening of C60buckminsterfullerene, has been studied as a fluorescent and absorptive probe for heavy-metal ions. The lattice structure of such unfolded fullerene quantum dots (UFQDs) is distinct from that of graphene since it includes both carbon hexagons and pentagons. The basic optical properties, however, are similar to those of regular graphene oxide quantum dots. On the other hand, UFQDs behave quite differently in the presence of heavy-metal ions, in that multiple sensitivity to Cu2+, Pb2+and As(III) was observed through comparable quenching of the fluorescent emission and different variations of the transmittance spectrum. By dynamic light scattering measurements and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images we confirmed, for the first time in metal sensing, that this response is due to multiple complexation and subsequent aggregation of UFQDs. Nonetheless, the explanation of the distinct behaviour of transmittance in the presence of As(III) and the formation of precipitate with Pb2+require further studies. These differences, however, also make it possible to discriminate between the three metal ions in view of the implementation of a selective multiple sensor.

A novel type of graphene-like quantum dots, synthesized by oxidation and cage-opening of C60 buckminsterfullerene, has been studied as a fluorescent and absorptive probe for heavy-metal ions. The lattice structure of such unfolded fullerene quantum dots (UFQDs) is distinct from that of graphene since it includes both carbon hexagons and pentagons. The basic optical properties, however, are similar to those of regular graphene oxide quantum dots. On the other hand, UFQDs behave quite differently in the presence of heavy-metal ions, in that multiple sensitivity to Cu2+, Pb2+ and As(III) was observed through comparable quenching of the fluorescent emission and different variations of the transmittance spectrum. By dynamic light scattering measurements we confirmed, for the first time in metal sensing, that this response is due to multiple complexation and subsequent aggregation of UFQDs. Nonetheless, the explanation of the distinct behaviour of transmittance in the presence of As(III) and the formation of precipitate with Pb2+ require further studies. These differences, however, also make it possible to discriminate between the three metal ions in view of the implementation of a selective multiple sensor.

In this study, we have carried out a characterization of the quenching effect produced by some commonly encountered metal ions (Co2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, As5+) on the photoluminescence of water suspensions of open-cage fullerene quantum dots prepared with a modified Hummers method. The response to heavy-metal ions occurs through a selective quenching of the PL emission and modifications of the absorption spectrum.

The 2,12 pyrrole positions of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin were functionalized through triple carbon–carbon bonds by C60 and ferrocene giving new electron donor–acceptor triads which have been characterized and studied by photophysical methods. The fluorescence spectra of the new compounds have been compared to those previously reported for similar compounds giving as a result an increase of the quantum efficiency based on the larger separation of fullerene from the porphyrin ring. On the contrary the efficiency decreases with the presence of a phenylene spacer between ferrocene and the macrocycle.