Artículos SCI

In this work, a new photocatalyst based on bismuth titanates with outstanding visible photocatalytic activity was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The synthesised material showed visible activity as high as UV activity of commercial TiO2 P25 under the same experimental conditions for phenol degradation. A wide characterisation of the photocatalyst was performed. The material was composed of three phases; majority of Bi20TiO32 closely interconnected to Bi4Ti3O12 and amorphous TiO2. The high visible activity showed by this material could be ascribed to a combination of several features; i.e. low band gap energy value (2.1 eV), a structure allowing a good separation path for visible photogenerated electron-holes pairs and a relatively high surface area. This photocatalyst appeared as a promising material for solar and visible applications of photocatalysis.

Nickel nanoporous thin films deposited on Indium tin oxide conductive plates have been prepared by physical vapor deposition in an oblique angle configuration. The scanning electron microscopy characterization of these films revealed a microstructure formed by tilted nanocolumns of ca. 40-60 nm of diameter inclined by ca. 26 degrees with respect to the normal. These highly porous films had ca. 30% of void space and provided a large exposed area and outstanding diffusion properties for sensor applications. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the deposition of metallic nickel, while Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies demonstrated that electrochemically treated films presented an oxi/hydroxide outer layer that is the active phase for glucose sensing. The activated electrodes had a high sensitivity (2.05 A M-1 cm(-2)), an excellent coefficient of determination (R-2: 0.999), an outstanding reproducibility (3.2%) and a detection limit of 0.34 mu M. Their glucose selectivity was excellent with regard to common electroactive interferences and other sugars found in agro-alimentary products. Tests carried out with commercial beverages proved the reliability of these electrodes for glucose analysis in real conditions.