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The use of readily prepared bisphosphonic acids obtained in few steps through a thio-Michael addition of commercially available thiols on tetraethyl vinylidenebisphosphonate enables the straightforward surface modification of amorphous mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles. Simple stirring of the zirconia nanoparticles in a buffered aqueous solution of the proper bisphosphonic acid leads to the surface functionalization of the nanoparticles with different kinds of functional groups, charge and hydrophobic properties. Formation of both chemisorbed and physisorbed layers of the bisphosphonic acid take place, observing after extensive washing a grafting density of 1.1 molecules/nm2 with negligible release in neutral or acidic pH conditions, demonstrating stronger loading compared to monophosphonate derivatives. The modified nanoparticles were characterized by IR, XPS, ζ-potential analysis to investigate the loading of the bisphosphonic acid, FE-SEM to investigate the size and morphologies of the nanoparticles and 31 P and 1 H MAS NMR to investigate the coordination motif of the phosphonate units on the surface. All these analytical techniques demonstrated the strong affinity of the bisphosphonic moiety for the Zr(IV) metal centers. The functionalization with bisphosphonic acids represents a straightforward covalent approach for tailoring the superficial properties of zirconia nanoparticles, much straightforward compared the classic use of trisalkoxysilane or trichlorosilane reagents typically employed for the functionalization of silica and metal oxide nanoparticles. Extension of the use of bisphosphonates to other metal oxide nanoparticles is advisable.

Bright and nontoxic quantum dots (QDs) are highly desirable in a variety of applications, from solid-state devices to luminescent probes in assays. However, the processability of these species is often curbed by their surface chemistry, which limits their dispersibility in selected solvents. This renders a surface modification step often mandatory to make the QDs compatible with the solvent of interest. Here, we present a new synthetic approach to produce CuInS2 QDs compatible with organic polar solvents and readily usable for the preparation of composite materials. 3-Mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTS) was used simultaneously as solvent, sulfur source, and capping agent for the QD synthesis. The synthesized QDs possessed a maximum photoluminescence quantum yield around 6%, reaching approximately 55% after growing a ZnS shell. The partial condensation of MPTS molecules on the surface of QDs was probed by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, whose results were used to interpret the interaction of the QDs with different solvents. To prove the versatility of the developed QDs, imparted by the thiolated silane molecules, we prepared via straightforward procedures two nanocomposites of practical interest: (i) silica nanoparticles decorated with QDs and (ii) an inexpensive polymeric film with embedded QDs. We further demonstrate the potential of this composite film as a luminescence thermometer operational over a broad temperature interval, with relative thermal sensitivity above 1% K-1 in the range of biological interest. ©

An approach for the preparation of noble metal nanoparticles supported on nanostructured metal oxides is described herein. The approach is based on the sequential generation of the noble metal nanoparticles and of a metal oxide phase inside a cross-linked polymer colloid (microgel). By tuning the properties of the employed microgel, the nature and amount of both the noble metal nanoparticles and the metal oxide phase can be independently varied. The resulting composite colloids are colloidally stable and, upon isolation by precipitation and subsequent calcination, produce noble metal nanoparticles dispersed on a crystalline, nanostructured oxide phase. Preliminary catalytic tests provide information on the accessibility of the noble metal nanoparticles and, particularly in the case of gold, result in promising catalytic performances in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols.

Upconversion nanothermometry combines the possibility of optically sensing temperatures in very small areas, such as microfluidic channels or on microelectronic chips, with a simple detection setup in the visible spectral range and reduced heat transfer after near-infrared (NIR) excitation. We propose a ratiometric strategy based on Eu3+ ion luminescence activated through upconversion processes. Yb3+ ions act as a sensitizer in the NIR region (980 nm), and energy is transferred to Tm3+ ions that in turn excite Eu3+ ions whose luminescence is shown to be thermally sensitive. Tridoped SrF2:Yb3+,Tm3+,Eu3+ nanoparticles (average size of 17 nm) show a relative thermal sensitivity of 1.1% K−1 at 25.0 °C, in the range of the best ones reported to date for Ln3+-based nanothermometers based on upconversion emission. The present nanoparticle design allows us to exploit upconversion of lanthanide ions that otherwise cannot be directly excited upon NIR excitation and that may provide operational wavelengths with a highly stable read out to fill the spectral gaps currently existing in upconversion-based nanothermometry.

We propose two effective approaches to enhance the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) efficiency from near-infrared excited upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs, namely, LiYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+) to CuInS2 quantum dots (QDs) upon engineering of the donor’s architecture. The study of the particles’ interaction highlighted a radiative nature of the energy transfer among the moieties under investigation when in solution. However, analyses performed on dry powders allowed observing clear evidence of a FRET mechanism. In particular, photoluminescence lifetime measurements showed that FRET efficiency could be effectively increased by both reducing the size of the UCNPs and directly controlling the distribution of the active ions throughout the donor’s volume, i.e., doping them only in the outer shell of a core/shell system. Both strategies resulted at least in a more than doubled FRET efficiency compared to larger core-only UCNPs. Obtained experimental values were compatible with those predicted from geometrical considerations on the active ions’ distribution over the UCNP volume. These results provide a concrete proof of the potential of a UCNP–QD FRET pair when the system is properly designed, hence setting a solid base for the development of robust and efficient all-inorganic probes for FRET-based assays.

Unstabilized, pH-responsive soluble crosslinked polymers (microgels) bearing pendant trialkylamino or pyridyl groups and containing size-controlled Au or Pd nanoclusters have been prepared by radical copolymerization in dilute solution, followed by loading with HAuCl 4 or Pd(OAc) 2 and chemical reduction. The hydrodynamic volume, the solubility and the partition between immiscible solvents of the microgels and of the resulting microgel-metal nanocomposites have been investigated, together with the variation of these parameters with the solution pH: separation of our microgel-containing metal nanoclusters from aqueous solutions can be accomplished by precipitation or by extraction into an organic solvent phase upon pH change, thus enabling their potential recovery. The catalytic performance of the microgels in the aerobic oxidation of benzyl alcohol (Au) and in Sonogashira coupling reactions (Pd) has been determined. The microgel-Au nanocomposites exhibit poor catalytic activity, whereas better results have been obtained in the copper-free Sonogashira reaction with microgel-Pd nanocomposites as precatalysts.

In the synthesis of CuInS2 quantum dots (QDs), the halide ions present in the copper salts influence the QD growth and optical properties. X-ray absorption spectroscopy allowed rationalizing the halide incorporation in the lattice and the dependence of electronic properties of the material on the ion's polarizability and interaction with hydrophobic moieties.

In this work we study the surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) produced by hierarchical nanostructures obtained by coupling different anisotropic nanomaterial of two SERS active metals, namely Ag nanostars (AgNSs) and Au nanowires (AuNWs). Ag nanostars (AgNSs) are prepared, by a two-step one-pot synthesis by reduction of AgNO3 with hydroxylamine, trisodium citrate and NaOH. AuNWs are obtained by electroless templated synthesis in track-etched polycarbonate membranes with following etching of the template. The two precursors are bound together by bridging with the bifunctional cysteamine molecule, obtaining AgNS@AuNW hierarchical structures. Benzenethiol (BT) is adsorbed on the nanostructured material and used as SERS probe to study the amplification of Raman signals. Experimental results indicate significantly larger Raman enhancement when BT is adsorbed onto the AgNS@AuNW in comparison to AuNWs alone or decorated with quasi-spherical silver nanoparticles obtaining AgNP@AuNW. Digital simulations performed by the boundary element method agree with the experimental findings, showing higher number of hot spots and significantly higher SERS enhancements for AgNS@AuNW versus AuNWs or AgNSs or AgNP@AuNW.

The focus of this work is on the relationship between the quantitative structural characterization of bimetallic Au-Pd nanoparticles dispersed in an amorphous polymer matrix and their catalytic activity in the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (DS reaction). Resonant X-ray powder diffraction with synchrotron radiation was employed to probe selectively and to reveal fine details of the structure of bimetallic nanoparticles embedded in the support. The semi-quantitative analysis of the resonant X-ray powdered diffraction data, made on a large number of metal nanoparticles, shows that in one of the polymer-supported Au-Pd catalyst for the DS reaction (P75) featured by an overall molar Pd/Au of about 5.54, the smallest metal nanoparticles (MNPs), which account for more than 99.9% of the total MNPs number and for more than 95% of the metal surface, are formed by practically pure palladium. The relative number of bimetallic alloyed nanoparticles is very small (less than 4 &times, 102 ppm) and they contribute to only about 2% of the total metal surface. In a second gold-enriched catalyst (P50) with an overall molar Pd/Au of 1.84, the proportion of the bimetallic alloyed nanoparticles increased to about 97% and they account for about 99% of the metal surface. As a result of the metal intermixing, the catalytic productivity for the DS reaction increased from 97 to 109 mmolH2O2/molH2, owing to the gold-promotion of palladium.

Owing to the alluring possibility of contactless temperature probing with microscopic spatial resolution, photoluminescence nanothermometry at the nanoscale is rapidly advancing towards its successful application in biomedical sciences. The emergence of near-infrared nanothermometers has paved the way for temperature sensing at the deep tissue level. However, water dispersibility, adequate size at the nanoscale, and the capability to efficiently operate in the second and third biological optical transparency windows are the requirements that still have to be fulfilled in a single nanoprobe. In this work, these requirements are addressed by rare-earth doped nanoparticles with core/shell-architecture, dispersed in water, whose excitation and emission wavelengths conveniently fall within the biological optical transparency windows. Under heating-free 800 nm excitation, double nanothermometry is realized either with Ho3+–Nd3+ (1.18–1.34 μm) or Er3+–Nd3+ (1.55–1.34 μm) NIR emission band ratios, both displaying equal thermal sensitivities around 1.1% °C−1. It is further demonstrated that, along with the interionic energy transfer processes, the thermometric properties of these nanoparticles are also governed by the temperature dependent energy transfer to the surrounding solvent (water) molecules. Overall, this work presents a novel water dispersible double ratiometric nanothermometer operating in the second and third biological optical transparency windows. The temperature dependent particle–solvent interaction is also presented, which is critical for e.g. future in vivo applications.

Low intrinsic toxicity, high solubility, and stability are important and necessary features of gold nanoparticles to be used in the biomedical field. In this context, charged nanoparticles proved to be very versatile, and among them charged mixed-monolayer gold nanoparticles, displaying monolayers with well-defined morphologies, represent a paradigm. By using mixtures of hydrogenated and fluorinated thiols, the formation of monolayer domains may be brought to an extreme because of the immiscibility of fluorinated and hydrogenated chains. Following this rationale, mixed monolayer gold nanoparticles featuring ammonium, sulfonate, or carboxylic groups on their surface were prepared by using amphiphilic hydrogenated thiols and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluoro-alkanethiols. The toxicity of these systems was assessed in HeLa cells and was found to be, in general, low even for the cationic nanoparticles which usually show a high cytotoxicity and is comparable to that of homoligand gold nanoparticles displaying amphiphilic-charge neutral-hydrogenated or fluorinated thiolates in their monolayer. These properties make the mixed ligand monolayer gold nanoparticles an interesting new candidate for medical application.

Hypothesis A combination of acid and iron ions inside the wood has been corroding the cellulose matrix of the Swedish warship Vasa, imposing its deacidification. Past deacidification treatments displayed poor penetration inside the wood matrix with limited efficacy. A vacuum assisted treatment of wood using newly developed calcium hydroxide nanoparticle dispersions represents a possible candidate for the treatment of acidic waterlogged wood objects such as sculptures and decorative artifacts. Experiments A solvothermal process was used for the synthesis of calcium hydroxide nanoparticle dispersions. Before the application on waterlogged wood, the physico-chemical characterization of these systems was carried out using several techniques. The efficacy of the deacidification treatment of wood samples from the Vasa was assessed by determination of pH and Differential Thermal Gravimetric (DTG) measurements. Findings The proposed solvothermal reactions can be used to produce stable and highly concentrated calcium hydroxide nanoparticle dispersions in alcohols, needing no further purification before the application. This process has also the advantage to be upscalable to industrial level. Both pH and DTG measurements showed that the newly developed dispersions can homogenously penetrate inside the wood up to 20 cm, neutralizing acidity and creating an alkaline buffer inside the wooden matrix, to hinder the degradation of residual cellulose.

Palladium-bismuth nanoparticles were supported into strongly basic anion-exchange resin of gel-type and tested as catalysts for the selective oxidation of glycerol with molecular oxygen at atmospheric pressure. Detailed study of the precursors preparation and reduction were undertaken. The catalyst 3%Pd-1%Bi where the bismuth was deposited on the palladium particles (3.4 nm) exhibited at 95% glycerol conversion more than 63% yield toward glyceric acid and tartronic acid after 3 h of reaction. The catalyst maintains practically similar catalytic performance as in fresh state for at least five consecutive catalytic cycles without extra catalyst treatment and reactivation.

The development of new safe inorganic UV filters to effectively protect the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation effects is an emerging issue. Bismuth titanate-based UV filters embedded into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) represent a new class of inorganic sunscreens, with excellent UVA and UVB shielding properties. In addition, the presence of bismuth ions promotes a self-sealing process, allowing (i) the entrapment of the active phases in the deepest core of the system and (ii) the formation of an external glassy silica layer with a consequent suppression of the photocatalytic activity. In this work, aimed at studying in detail the self-sealing mechanism and accessing the role of bismuth ions in the formation of the system, a series of samples impregnated with a different amount of bismuth were investigated. The self-sealing process already occurs at the lowest content of bismuth and the mechanism is demonstrated to be triggered by the ability of Bi to work as a low-melting point agent for silica. Finally, a sunscreen formulation containing the new UV filter was prepared and the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), the pH and the viscosity were measured, demonstrating the potential of the proposed material for large-scale applications.

Core-shell systems have attracted increasing interest among the research community in recent years due to their unique properties and structural features, and the development of new synthetic strategies is still a challenge. In this work, we have investigated lanthanide-doped Bi2SiO5 nanocrystal formation inside mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). The role of both synthesis temperature and concentration of the bismuth precursor impregnated into the MSNs is discussed, showing an unprecedented strategy for the simultaneous stabilization of a crystalline core and a glassy shell. Temperature dependent synchrotron radiation X-ray powder diffraction (SR-XRPD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analyses allow one to follow the crystalline core growth. A mechanism for the formation of a Bi2SiO5@g-SiO2 core-shell nanosystem is proposed. In addition, the easy tunability of the color output of the upconverting system is demonstrated by means of suitable doping lanthanide ions with potential applications in several fields.

Among the foreseeable therapeutic approaches at the cellular level, nanoplatform-driven photothermal therapy is a thriving tool for the selective eradication of malignant tissues with minimal side effects to healthy ones. Hence, chemically versatile, near-infrared absorbing plasmonic nanoparticles are distinctly appealing and most sought after as efficient photothermal agents. In this work, a straightforward method to synthesize monodisperse PEGylated copper sulfide nanoparticles of pure covellite (CuS) phase, featuring strong localized surface plasmonic resonance absorption in the near-infrared and flexible surface chemistry, imparted by monomethyl ether polyethylene glycol molecules, is developed and optimized. These nanoparticles show a remarkable photothermal heat conversion efficiency (HCE) of 71.4%, which is among the highest for CuS systems and rivals that of plasmonic noble metal nanostructures. Moreover, through critical evaluation and mathematical modeling of the material’s properties and measurement methodology, it is assessed that the calculated HCE values drastically depend on experimental conditions such as wavelength-dependent solvent absorption properties, sol concentration, and optical path. These findings are of paramount relevance to the photothermal community, since they call for a standardization of the procedure for the evaluation of the HCE of proposed photothermal agents, in order to make the reported values universally and reliably comparable.

Upconversion nanothermometry combines the possibility of optically sensing temperatures in very small areas, such as microfluidic channels or on microelectronic chips, with a simple detection setup in the visible spectral range and reduced heat transfer after near-infrared (NIR) excitation. We propose a ratiometric strategy based on Eu

We fabricated Ti oxide nanoparticles by laser ablation of a Ti target in doubly deionized water with ps or ns pulses at a laser wavelength of 1064 nm. Electron microscopy, Raman, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that, while with ns pulses the dominant oxide phase is rutile, with ps pulses anatase is the most abundant form in an intermediate energy window centered around 25 mJ per pulse. This experimental behavior can be described by a theoretical model which calculates the pressure and temperature evolution of the ablated material and, from this, the rutile and anatase yield.

Herein we present a study on the efficacy of selected sulfur-containing species as growth quenchers and metal ion scavengers in the framework of gold nanorod (GNR) synthesis. The here utilized seeded growth method is the reference GNR synthesis approach. However, GNRs synthesized according to it are prone to morphological changes upon aging, promoted by the presence of unreacted metal ions in the stock suspension. This, in turn, leads to optical property changes. Sodium sulfide is an efficient GNR growth quencher and metal ion scavenger, because sulfide ion has a strong affinity towards noble metals used for the GNRs’ synthesis. Moving from these considerations, different sulfur-containing molecules were selected and their interaction with GNR surface was investigated: sulfate, sulfite, thiourea, and dodecyl sulfate were chosen for their difference in terms of net charge, size, and hydrophobicity. We initially assessed the best synthesis conditions in terms of reaction time, seed amount, silver concentration, and quencher amount. Consequently, the quencher/scavenger was varied. Thiourea, sulfite, and sulfate ions all showed a feeble, yet non-negligible, interaction with metals. Although sodium sulfide turned out to be the most efficient quencher/scavenger, also dodecyl sulfate showed evidences of adsorption on the GNR surface, probably prompted by hydrophobic interactions. These findings are expected to contribute as a background for further advancements in the perfection of GNR synthetic approaches specifically in terms of post-synthesis treatments.

We have synthesized and fully characterized some novel allyl palladium complexes stabilized by mixed spectator ligands, namely the water soluble sodium 3,3′,3″-phosphinetriyltribenzenesulfonate, (TPPTS) and three carbenes derived from differently alkylated natural xanthines. In order to explore their potential applications we have tested their catalytic activity in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of para-bromoacetophenone with phenyl boronic acid, chosen as standard reaction. Only one of the complexes under study displays a remarkable stability in water and catalytic activity. We have therefore undertaken a catalytic investigation. These results are reported in the present paper together with the solid state structural characterization of a silver precursor of the palladium allyl complexes.

We report a facile, inexpensive, and green method for the preparation of Pd nanoparticles in aqueous medium stabilized by anionic sulfonated surfactants sodium 1-dodecanesulfonate 1a, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate 1b, dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt 1c, and poly(ethylene glycol) 4-nonylphenyl-3-sulfopropyl ether potassium salt 1d simply obtained by stirring aqueous solutions of Pd(OAc)2 with the commercial anionic surfactants further treated under hydrogen atmosphere for variable amounts of time. The aqueous Pd nanoparticle solutions were tested in the selective hydrogenation reactions of aryl-alcohols, -aldehydes, and -ketones, leading to complete conversion to the deoxygenated products even in the absence of strong Bronsted acids in the reduction of aromatic aldehydes and ketones, in the controlled semihydrogenation of alkynes leading to alkenes, and in the efficient hydrodechlorination of aromatic substrates. In all cases, the micellar media were crucial for stabilizing the metal nanoparticles, dis...

Eu3+ doped CaF2 and SrF2 nanoparticles were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal technique, using citrate ions as capping agents and Na+ or K+ as charge compensator ions. A proper tuning of the reaction time can modulate the nanoparticle size, from few to several tens of nanometers. Analysis of EXAFS spectra indicate that the Eu3+ ions enter into the fluorite CaF2 and SrF2 structure as substitutional defects on the metal site. Laser site selective spectroscopy demonstrates that the Eu3+ ions are mainly accommodated in two sites with different symmetries. The relative site distribution for lanthanide ions depends on the nanoparticle size, and higher symmetry Eu3+ sites are prevalent for bigger nanoparticles. Eu3+ ions in high symmetry sites present lifetimes of the 5D0 level around 27 ms, among the longest lifetimes found in the literature for Eu3+ activated materials. As a proof of concept of possible use of the Eu3+ activated alkaline-earth fluoride nanoparticles in nanomedicine, the red luminescenc...

A hundred-fold substrate selectivity was observed in the competitive chemoselective hydrogenation of seven α,β-unsaturated aldehydes from C4 to C10 in water with palladium nanoparticles stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfonate as the surfactant. The medium makes the longer lipophilic substrates hundreds of times more reactive than the shorter more hydrophilic ones, whereas in an organic medium almost no difference is observed.

Organic polymers are suitable candidates as catalytic materials for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide (DSR) from dihydrogen and dioxygen, in view of the low temperature applied. In particular, strongly acidic ion-exchange resins have been already proposed for this reaction, either as carriers of Pd II ions or Pd 0 nanoparticles, but not for bimetallic Pd/Pt and Pd/Au catalysts, which are also active in this reaction. The introduction of Pd II , Pt II and Au III precursors into the commercial ion-exchangers Lewatit K2621 and their subsequent reduction with an aqueous formaldehyde solution produced a library of bimetallic catalysts with 1% Pd (w/w) and a variable content of either Pt (0.1–1%, w/w) or Au (0.25–1%, w/w). The catalysts were tested with no selectivity enhancer in the DSR under batchwise condition at 2 °C in MeOH at 2 MPa, with a CO 2 /O 2 /H 2 (72/25.5/2.5) mixture. In the Pd-Pt catalysts the addition of the smallest amount of Pt (0.1%, w/w) gave the best results in terms of the initial selectivity (43%) and the top concentration of H 2 O 2 achieved in solution increased to 14.3 mM from 10.8 mM with the monometallic catalyst. With higher platinum amount the initial selectivity was lower, but in all these catalysts the addition of platinum limited the decrease of selectivity with time in comparison with the monometallic one. The addition of platinum in increasing amount seems also to favour poisoning of the catalysts by the products (most likely by H 2 O 2 ). The presence of small amount of gold is also effective in achieving a comparatively high initial selectivity. With the addition of only 0.25% Au (w/w), the initial selectivity towards H 2 O 2 and the top concentration of the product were boosted up to 61% and 17 mM, respectively. Gold in relatively little amount is also useful to limit the decrease of selectivity with time. In particular, it seems to limit the combustion of hydrogen and to be much more effective than platinum in this respect. Preliminary TEM analysis of the size and size distribution of the metal nanoparticles in the Au-Pd bimetallic catalysts shows that relatively large nanoparticles are preferable to achieve higher and stable selectivity, but also that size is likely not the most important parameter in controlling the catalyst performance.

Strontium fluoride nanoparticles activated with Nd 3+ ions were studied as nanosized optical thermometers in the first (800–950 nm) and second (1000–1300 nm) biological windows, by monitoring the Nd 3+ emission as a function of the temperature. The variations of the Nd 3+ emissions were correlated with the temperature changes and the thermometric properties of SrF 2 nanoparticles were evaluated using a ratiometric method. The best thermal sensitivity was found to be 0.60% K −1 , a value which is the highest found for water dispersible colloidal nanothermometers based on the near-infrared luminescence of Nd 3+ ions only in single phase materials. The excellent thermometric performance is also demonstrated by a thermal sensitivity of 1.2 °C, that can be achieved in temperature evaluation of real systems. Temperature measurements using a phantom tissue confirmed that the samples serve as efficient ratiometric nanothermometers that can work in two biological windows.

[RhCl(COD)] 2 in combination with a water soluble sulphonated pyridyl-triazolyl N,N -bidentate ligand efficiently catalyzes styrene and 1-hexene hydroformylation in water/organic solvent biphasic systems. The catalyst displays a good activity affording mixtures of linear and branched aldehydes with complete chemoselectivity. The aqueous catalytic phase may be recycled four times giving complete substrate conversion by 18 h. Mercury-poisoning experiments and transmission electron microscopy indicate that, after the first catalytic run, rhodium is present in the aqueous phase in nanoparticle form.

Here, we present a thorough study of pegylated silica nanoparticle (SNP) interaction with different biological environments. The SNPs have a mean diameter of about 40 nm and are coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) of different molecular weights. The physicochemical characterization of SNPs allowed the confirmation of the binding of PEG chains to the silica surface, the reproducibility of the synthesis and the narrow size-dispersion. In view of clarifying the SNP interaction with biological environments, we first assessed the SNP reactivity after the incubation with two cell lines (macrophages RAW 264.7 and primary human fibroblasts), observing a reduced toxicity of pegylated SNPs compared to the bare ones. Then, we investigated the effect of the protein adsorption on the SNP surface using the model serum protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA). We found that the protein adsorption takes place more heavily on poorly pegylated SNPs, promoting the uptake of the latter by macrophages and leading to an increased mortality of these cells. To better understand this mechanism by means of flow cytometry, the dye Ru(bpy)3Cl2 was incorporated in the SNPs. The overall results highlight the SNP potentialities as a drug delivery system, thanks to the low interactions with the macrophages.

CaF 2 nanoparticles activated with Nd 3+ ions have been investigated as potential optical nanothermometers in the biological windows. The variation of the Nd 3+ emission around 850 and 1060 nm as a function of the temperature has been measured. A ratiometric approach, based on the relative changes in the intensities of different emission bands of the Nd 3+ has been considered to investigate the thermometric properties of the NPs. The evaluated thermal sensitivity is around 0.12% K −1 , a value that is similar to those found for other water dispersible nanothermometers based on the near-infrared luminescence of the Nd 3+ lanthanide ion. The temperature uncertainty is around 1.8 °C, small enough to monitor the local temperature during a photothermal treatment.

The application of nanosized inorganic UV filters in cosmetic field is limited by their high photocatalytic properties that could induce the degradation or dangerous transformation of the organic molecules in sunscreen formulations. To overcome this problem and simultaneously enlarge the window of filter’s absorption, we propose the growth of bismuth titanates BixTiyOz into mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN). We investigated the chemical-physical properties by means of XRPD, TEM, UV–vis spectroscopy, N2 physisorption, XPS, and SF-ICP-MS analysis, while the influence on the environment was evaluated through photocatalytic tests. The growing process of this new nanosystem is discussed underlining the key role of the Bi3+ ion that, acting as a low-melting point agent for the silica framework, led to a self-sealing mechanism. The excellent UV shielding properties combined with a radical suppression of the photocatalytic activity make the proposed nanosystem a perfect candidate for the development of the ne...

A synthesis of variably functionalized thiol-protected palladium nanoparticles (Pd-NPs) is presented. The nanoparticle syntheses are performed in acetone/water or tetrahydrofuranwater solutions, without making use of either phase-transfer agents or complex purification procedures of the as-synthesized nanoparticles. Small and mostly monodisperse thiol-protected Pd nanoparticles (Pd-NPs ~ 2 nm) have been prepared with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA), 9-mercapto-1-nonanol (MN), 1-dodecanethiol (DT), or mixtures thereof, and a simple scale-up synthesis is also proposed. The role of PdII-thiolate species as metal precursors in the stage of nanoparticle synthesis and the influence of the reaction parameters on the final Pd-NPs size and size distribution are discussed. The formation of mixed-monolayer protected nanoparticles is achieved, with the final monolayer composition dictated by the thiols, initial molar ratio. Overall, the procedure presented here allows the preparation of functionalized nanoparticles with a high density of functional groups at the edge of the monolayer, with no need of place-exchange reactions. Specific postfunctionalization procedures conducted at the acid groups of the MUA-Pd monolayer are reported so as to widen the potential applicability of these amphiphilic nanoparticle precursors with respect to different applications in the field of material science. Finally, the successful use and the easy recycling/reuse of the Pd-NPs in a model Suzuki cross-coupling reaction are presented.

Stable ultra-small gold nanoparticles have been synthesized in aqueous phase by using a tri-block copolymer (BMB) as a templating agent consisting of two PEG-methylacrylate chains (B blocks) anchored to a poly(methacrylic) moiety containing a trithiocarbonate unit (M block). The effect of the BMB/Au molar ratios on the final particle size, shape and monodispersity has been investigated. The synthesized nanosols have been characterized by means of Visible Absorption, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Results clearly indicate that the polymer plays a key role in determining the size and shape of gold particles, from fractal-like structures to monodisperse spherical particles with a mean diameter of about 3 nm. The aggregation behavior of these nanostructures has been characterized both in solution (SAXS) as well as on mica substrate (AFM) and has been proven to be driven by the polymer to gold concentration ratio. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Nanostructured Au/Al(2)O(3)-CeO(2) catalysts with a low content of precious metal (0.9% wt.) were prepared immobilizing two different stabilized Au sols on a high surface area Al(2)O(3)-CeO(2) mixed oxide with a uniform pore size distribution, synthesized by a one-pot methodology. The samples were characterized by elemental analysis, N(2) physisorption, XRPD, TEM and (27)Al-MAS NMR techniques. The catalytic activity of the two samples in the preferential oxidation of CO in excess of H(2) (CO-PROX) was comparatively evaluated in the 35-110 degrees C temperature range. The Au-THPS/AlCe20 sample, prepared immobilizing a sol obtained reducing an aqueous solution of gold tetrachloroaurate salt with bis[tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulfate], resulted very active and selective at low temperatures and its catalytic activity was correlated with the structural characteristics of the metal particles and of the ordered mesoporous support.

Planar light waveguides prepared by Ag–Na ion exchange in molten salt bath are irradiated with Nd:YAG laser beams at different wavelengths in the IR and VIS regions, and for different energy density and repetition rate values. The samples are characterized by optical spectroscopy to determine the role of irradiation parameters in the Ag clustering process, including aggregation phenomena and possible cluster photofragmentation. The appearance of the characteristic plasmon resonance feature in the optical absorption spectra marks the formation of Ag clusters, as observed by electronic microscopy as well, and permits to follow the evolution of the whole clustering process upon increasing of the deposited energy density. Photoluminescence spectroscopy has given specific information concerning the presence of Ag multimeric aggregates, considered as embryonic structures for the growing nanoclusters. The systematic investigation presented in this work is expected to clarify some aspects of the interaction between the laser beam and the doped glass matrix, and to help establishing suitable methodologies for the controlled preparation of nanocomposite glasses.

The macroreticular Rohm & Haas resin A70 and the DuPont silica/nafion microcomposite SAC-13 undergo facile metalation with NiII, PdII, PtII, CuII cationic species to give materials that do react with both molecular hydrogen in the “dry” state and sodium borohydride in the aqueous phase. The distribution of the reduced species in the body of the support particles is sensitive to the reduction protocol.

Catalyst Pd/K2621 (K2621 = strongly acidic macroreticular resin from Bayer) is an effective catalyst for the direct synthesis of hydrogen peroxide in methanol at temperatures near 0 °C, under batch reactor conditions. Reaction conditions are non-explosive in character and no addition of selectivity enhancers is required. Selectivity up to 70% at 50% conversion is achieved.

Innovative Pd0 heterogeneous catalysts were prepared upon using cross-linked, gel-type, functional acrylic polymers as the supports, along a simple route in use in our laboratories since long. The supports were obtained by polyaddition co-polymerization of N,N-dimethylacrylamide with either 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, methacrylic acid or 4-vinylpyridine, and ethylene glycoldimethacrylate (cross-linker). The performance of these catalysts in the hydrogenation of cyclohexene, trans-methylcinnamate and 4-chloro-2-nitroanisole was compared with that of commercial Pd0/EnCat 30NP, produced by Reaxa. One of the catalysts (sulfonic resin as the support) behaved very well as far as activity, stability and selectivity are concerned. These results suggest that heterogeneous metal catalysts supported on polyaddition resins could be developed to become interesting materials for technical applications.

The sulfur poisoning of carbon-supported bimetallic Pd–Au systems was investigated. Catalytic activity results for benzaldehyde hydrogenation clearly show that gold addition improves catalyst resistance to sulfur poisoning with respect to the monometallic Pd-based sample. Samples were characterized by pulse-flow CO chemisorption and XRD in order to correlate the structural properties with the resistance to sulfur poisoning. Gold addition prevents the progressive transformation of Pd in Pd4S in the presence of sulfur compounds by hindering the availability of ensembles of four Pd atoms in the correct geometrical configuration.

Gold nanoparticles supported onto a nanoporous semicrystalline polymorphic polymer matrix consisting of syndiotactic polystyrene- cis -1,4-polybutadiene multiblock copolymer (AuNPs-sPSB) were investigated as catalyst in the reduction of nitroarenes into anilines using sodium borohydride as reductant. The crystalline phase and the morphology of the polymeric support were varied to assess their influence on the selectivity of the reaction pathway. The β and γ crystalline forms, which are not permeable to small molecules, led to a partial reduction of nitrobenzene into both azoxybenzene and diazobenzene whereas the porous δ and e crystalline forms efficiently catalyze the complete reduction into aniline through the condensation route of the reaction mechanism proposed by Haber, achieving the highest activities reported so far for this reaction.

Different metal precursors and reducing agents were applied in the preparation of 1 wt % Pd catalysts supported on commercial ion-exchange resin (Lewatit K2621) and used in the direct synthesis of ...

In this work we present in situ investigations on the increase of the hcp-to-fcc transition temperature for Co with respect to the bulk value (420 degrees C) when nanoclusters are considered. Starting from Co:SiO2 composites obtained by ion implantation with average Co cluster size of about 5 nm, a transition temperature between 800 degrees C and 900 degrees C is found upon thermal annealing in vacuum by in situ transmission electron microscopy. Preliminary results on electron irradiation to promote the transition at lower temperatures are presented.

Prescribed nanocluster composite glass features require the control of the cluster formation and growth, and therefore the definition of effective preparation protocols. In this work, copper-containing silica films were synthesized by sputtering co-deposition of copper and silica in a radiofrequency magnetron sputtering apparatus. The composite system was sequentially thermally-treated in different annealing environment (oxidizing and/or reducing). Characterization of samples along the various preparation steps was performed by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and optical absorption spectroscopy. The copper behavior during the composite formation was complex: copper migration and aggregation depend critically on the annealing conditions, and quite different stable structures actually result, such as fcc Cu and/or monoclinic CuO nanoparticles. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.