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Hydrogen storage is a key enabling technology for the extensive use of hydrogen as energy carrier. This is particularly true in the widespread introduction of hydrogen in car transportation. Indeed, one of the greatest technological barriers for such development is an efficient and safe storage method. So, in this tutorial review the existing hydrogen storage technologies are described with a special emphasis on hydrogen storage in hydrogen cars: the current and the ongoing solutions. A particular focus is given on solid storage and some of the recent advances on plasma hydrogen ion implantation, which should allow not only the preparation of metal hydrides, but also the imagination of a new refluing circuit. From hydrogen discovery to its use as an energy vector in cars, this review wants to be as exhaustive as possible, introducing the basics of hydrogen storage, and discussing the experimental practicalities of car hydrogen fuel. It wants to serve as a guide for anyone wanting to undertake such a technology and to equip the reader with an advanced knowledge on hydrogen storage and hydrogen storage in hydrogen cars to stimulate further researches and yet more innovative applications for this highly interesting field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on metal/polymer nanocomposite thin films made by atmospheric pressure Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition. The aerosol of isopropanol-dissolved tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4:3H2O gold salt) is injected in a dielectric barrier discharge to synthesize plasmonic nanocomposite thin films. Argon is used as carrier gas with or without 133 ppm addition of ammonia (NH3) to respectively get or not a Penning mixture. Results show that NH3 largely influences the salt reduction and thin film properties. According to the aerosol characterization, the size distribution at the plasma entrance supports that isopropanol mainly evaporates before injection in the plasma. The salt initially dissolved in each droplet precipitates during evaporation before injection as solid nanoparticles of about 30 nm diameter with eventual traces of solvent. Then, the nanocomposite thins film are studied. Optical properties, as plasmonic resonance, are characterized by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy. The chemical composition is analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy, complemented by X-ray diffraction analysis as well as chemical mapping obtained by Energy dispersive spectroscopy coupled to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) operating in Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy mode. Additionally, the morphology of the deposits is investigated by atomic force microscopy and SEM, highlighting the influence of NH3 gas on the film nature and therefore its role in the overall deposition process. Finally, optical emission spectroscopy of the plasma gives clue to better understand the effect of NH3. The overall results show that the salt nanoparticles are reduced in the plasma phase leading to non-aggregated metal Au NPs embedded in a carbon-based matrix formed by isopropanol polymerization. The presence of NH3 in the plasma unambiguously decreases the salt reduction and affects the thin film properties, consequently changing their plasmonic response related to the size, concentration, and composition of the embedded NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the World Health Organization, the number of cancers (all cancers, both sexes, all ages and worldwide) in 2020 reached a total of 19 292 789 new cases leading to 9 958 133 deaths during the same period. Many cancers could be cured if detected early. Preventing cancer and detecting it early are two essential strategies for controlling this pathology. For this purpose, several strategies have been described for imaging cancer cells. One of them is based on the use of carbon nanoparticles called carbon dots, tools of physical chemistry. The literature describes that cancer cells can be imaged using carbon dots obtained from folic acid and that the in cellulo observed photoluminescence probably results from the interaction of these nanoparticles with the folic acid-receptor, a cell surface protein overexpressed in many malignant cells. However, this interaction has never been directly demonstrated yet. We investigated it, for the first time, using (i) freshly synthesized and fully characterized carbon dots, (ii) folate binding protein, a folic acid-receptor model protein and (iii) fluorescence spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry, two powerful methods for detecting molecular interactions. Our results even highlight a selective interaction between these carbon made nano-objects and their biological target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]