Artículos SCI

Abstract

Au/TiO2 photocatalysts were used in ethanol oxidative dehydrogenation. Catalysts at gold loading ranging between 0.5-2 wt.% were synthesized by photodeposition (using different deposition times: 15 and 120 min) over an own-prepared TiO2 by sol-gel method. For reference purposes, a commercial 1 wt.% Au/TiO2 catalyst (AUROlite (TM), Strem Chemicals) was also tested. Photocatalytic reactions were carried out in a gas-solid photocatalytic fluidized bed reactor. Catalytic activity depends strongly both on Au loading and on the material properties, such as particle size and distribution of metal on titania surface. Acetaldehyde was the main reaction product, with ethylene, crotonaldehyde and CO2 as by-products. An important improvement of TiO2 photoactivity was achieved for the catalyst with 0.5 wt.% gold prepared with 120 min deposition time. For an ethanol inlet concentration of 0.2 vol% at 60 degrees C, the maximum conversion and acetaldehyde selectivity were 82% and 95%, respectively. These values are considerably higher than those obtained over pristine TiO2 and over the commercial catalyst.

Abstract

CdSe@ZnS nanocrystals have been prepared by a two-step solid state mechanochemical synthesis. CdSe prepared from elements in the first step is mixed with ZnS synthesized from zinc acetate and sodium sulfide in the second step. The crystallite size of the new type CdSe@ZnS nanocrystals determined by X-ray diffraction Rietveld refined method was 35 nra and 10 Jam for CdSe and ZnS, respectively. Energy dispersive/transmission electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy methods show good crystallinity of the nanoparticles and scanning electron microscopy elemental mapping illustrate consistent distribution of Cd, Se, Zn and S elements in the bulk of samples. UV-VIS spectra show an onset at 320 urn with calculated bandgap 3.85 eV. This absorption arises from the vibration modes of Zn-S bonds. The nanocrystals show the blue shift from the bandgap of bulk ZnS (3.66 eV). The synthesized CdSe@ZnS nanocrystals have been tested for dissolution, cytotoxicity and L-cysteine conjugation. The dissolution of Cd was less than 0.05 mu g mL(-1) (in comparison with 0.8 mu g mL(-1) which was evidenced for CdSe alone). The very low cytotoxic activity for selected cancer cell lines has been evidenced. CdSe@ZnS nanocrystals coated with L-cysteine are water-soluble and have a great potential in biomedical engineering as fluorescent labels.

Abstract

This paper reports an improved procedure for synthesis of silicon carbide nanopowders from silica by carbothermic reduction under fast microwave-induced heating. The powders have been prepared by direct solid-state reaction in a 2.45 GHz microwave field in nitrogen atmosphere after 40 h milling. For the first time, the formation of silicon carbide (beta-SiC) as a major phase can be achieved at 1200 degrees C in 5 min of microwave exposure, resulting in nano sized particles ranging from 10 to 40 nm under optimized synthesis condition. The Rietveld quantitative phase-composition analysis confirmed that the major SiC polytype is cubic SiC (beta-SiC) with 98.5(4) weight fraction and the remained is minor hexagonal SiC polytypic (alpha-SiC) phases. Therefore this method is the most efficient one for SiC powder synthesis in terms of energy and time saving as well as preparation of SiC nano powders.

Abstract

Biomass is an alternative to replace the use of fossil fuels. Glycerol, a byproduct in the biodiesel production, can be used for obtaining hydrogen. The most efficient method for obtaining hydrogen from glycerol is the steam reforming (SR). So far all the published papers report the use of conventional catalyst. In this paper, a structured catalyst has been prepared and compared with the conventional ones (powder and spherical pellets). Results show that the structured catalyst (monolith) is more stable as formation of coke was not observed.

Abstract

(Ti,Ta)(C,N) solid solution-based cermets with cobalt as the binder phase were synthesised by a two-step milling process. The titanium-tantalum carbonitride solid solution (the ceramic phase) was obtained via a mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction (MSR) process from stoichiometric elemental Ti, Ta, and graphite powder blends in a nitrogen atmosphere. Elemental Co (the binder phase) was added to the ceramic phase, and the mixture was homogenised by mechanical milling (MM). The powdered cermet was then sintered in a tubular furnace at temperatures ranging from 1400°C to 1600°C in an inert atmosphere. The chemical composition and microstructure of the sintered cermets were characterised as ceramic particles grown via a coalescence process and embedded in a complex (Ti,Ta)-Co intermetallic matrix. The absence of the typical core-rim microstructure was confirmed.

Abstract

Single wall carbon nanotube reinforced yttria stabilized zirconia ceramic materials have been obtained by means of spark plasma sintering technique. Single wall carbon nanotubes were treated in an acid solution before mixing with zirconia powders to obtain a uniform distribution of both powders. This method allows obtaining ceramic materials with a grain size between 200 nanometers and 1 micron and with a grain size distribution which depends on processing conditions. This new route opens a new perspective for new ceramic composites tailoring with enhanced mechanical properties as structural materials

Abstract

The study of the growth mechanisms of amorphous hydrogenated carbon coatings (a-CH _x) deposited by reactive pulsed magnetron discharge in Ar + C ₂H ₂, Ar + H ₂, and Ar + C ₂H ₂ + H ₂ low-pressure atmospheres is presented in this work. Hydrogen-containing species of the reactant gas affect the microstructure and surface properties of the a-CH _x thin films. The dynamic scaling theory has been used to relate the main reactive species involved in the deposition process to the growth mechanisms of the thin film by means of the analysis of the roughness evolution. Anomalous scaling effects have been observed in smooth a-CH _x coatings. Dynamic scaling exponents α, β, and z indicate a general growth controlled by surface diffusion mechanisms. Hydrogen species have an influence on the lateral growth of the a-CH _x coatings and are involved in the development of a polymeric-like structure. Meanwhile, hydrocarbon species promote the generation of higher aggregates, which increases the roughness of a more sp ² clustering structure of the a-CH _x coating.

Abstract

Chromium incorporation into TiO ₂ up to 3 GPa at 1300 °C and 900 °C has been studied by XRD as well as TEM. A CaCl ₂ type TiO ₂ polymorph has been observed in the quenched samples from high pressure. Two different mechanisms of solubility occur in the recovered samples. Chromium replaces titanium on normal octahedral sites but it also occupies interstitial octahedral sites, especially in the samples recovered from higher pressures. Interstitial chromium is responsible for an orthorhombic distortion of the TiO ₂ rutile structure in the quenched samples and gives rise to a (1 1 0) twinned CaCl ₂-structured polymorph. This phase is very likely the result of temperature quench at high pressure. The formation of this phase is directly related to the chromium content of the TiO ₂ grains. Chromium solubility in TiO ₂ increases with increasing the synthesis pressure. TiO ₂ is able to accommodate up to 15.3 wt% Cr ₂O ₃ at 3 GPa and 1300 °C, compared to 5.7 wt% at atmospheric pressure at the same temperature.

Abstract

The adsorption of C₆₀, a typical acceptor organic molecule, on a TiO₂ (110) surface has been investigated by a multitechnique combination, including van der Waals density functional calculations. It is shown that the adsorbed molecules form a weakly interacting molecular layer, which sits on the fivefold-coordinated Ti that is confined between the prominent bridging oxygen rows (see figure).

Abstract

A set of powdered cermets based on (Ti,Ta,Nb)C _xN _1-x carbonitride solid solutions were synthesized from mixtures of elemental powders by a mechanically induced self-sustaining reaction (MSR) method and subsequently sintered using a pressureless method. Differing nominal compositions of the hard phase were used, and the nature of the metallic-binder phase (Co, Ni, or Co-Ni) was varied. For comparative purposes, the design of the material was performed using two different synthesis pathways. The composition and microstructure of the ceramic and binder phases before and after sintering were analyzed and related to the microhardness of the material, which was found to increase with increasing contiguity of the hard phase and with decreasing particle size.The samples synthesized in one step (SERIES 2) showed higher microhardness and a more homogeneous microstructure with smaller particle size of the hard phase due to the presence of Ti, Ta, and Nb in the molten binder that hindered ceramic growth during liquid phase sintering.

Abstract

Nanoscale resolution electron microscopy analysis combined with ion beam assisted techniques are presented here, to give answers to full characterization of morphology, growth mode, phase formation, and compositional distribution in nanocomposite TiAlSiN coatings deposited under different energetic conditions. Samples were prepared by magnetron sputtering, and the effects of substrate temperature and bias were investigated. The nanocomposite microstructure was demonstrated by the formation of a face-centered cubic (Ti,Al)N phase, obtained by substitution of Al in the cubic titanium nitride (c-TiN) phase, and an amorphous matrix at the column boundary regions mainly composed of Si, N (and O for the samples with higher oxygen contents). Oxygen impurities, predicted as the principal responsible for the degradation of properties, were identified, particularly in nonbiased samples and confirmed to occupy preferentially nitrogen positions at the column boundaries, being mainly associated to silicon forming oxynitride phases. It has been found that the columnar growth mode is not the most adequate to improve mechanical properties. Only the combination of moderate bias and additional substrate heating was able to reduce the oxygen content and eliminate the columnar microstructure leading to the nanocomposite structure with higher hardness (>30 GPa).

Abstract

The photocatalytic activity, under sunlike illumination, for Rhodamine B (RhB) degradation using Bi2WO6-TiO2 samples, is reported. Two different kinds of Bi2WO6-TiO2 samples were studied, obtained by distinct methods: first, a mechanical mixing, by adding to synthesized nanosheet-like Bi2WO6 powder the corresponding amount of TiO2 nanoparticles (P25) in order to obtain physical mixtures of both catalysts with different percentages of TiO2 (5, 10 and 50 wt%); second, a single Bi2WO6-TiO2 heterostructure was prepared by adding commercial TiO2-P25 to the Bi2WO6 precursors (50 wt%) prior to the hydrothermal treatment, thus obtaining a sample with "in situ" TiO2 incorporation. Comparisons between the photocatalytic behaviour of these samples and those exhibited by the single materials Bi2WO6 and TiO2 (P25) were carried out, in order to establish the effect not only of the TiO2 addition but also of the way in which TiO2 (P25) is incorporated. The role of each single photocatalyst in the mixtures in the RhB degradation and mineralization under sunlike and just visible illumination was also studied.

Abstract

Silicon nitride/silicon nitride joints were vacuum brazed at 1317 K for 5 min and 30 min using ductile Cu-base active metal interlayers. The joints were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). An inhomogeneous Ti-rich reaction layer (similar to 2-3 mu m thick) formed in 5 min at the Si3N4/braze interface. The inhomogeneity disappeared after brazing for 30 min and was replaced with a compact and featureless reaction zone. TEM studies revealed fine grains in the reaction layer, and larger grains in the inner part of the joint interfaces. The joints were crack-free and presented features associated with plastic deformation, which indicated accommodation of strain associated with CTE mismatch. Electron Backscatter diffraction (EBSD) revealed a highly textured braze alloy interlayer and its crystallographic orientation was determined. The formation of additional phases at the joint interface during brazing is discussed.

Abstract

Liver fibrosis is a reversible pathology characterized by the up-regulated secretion and deposition of ECM proteins and inhibitors of metalloproteinases, which increase the stiffness and viscosity of this organ. Since recent studies have shown that fibrosis preceded the generation of hepatocellular carcinomas, we hypothesize that liver fibrosis could play a role as a mechanism for restricting uncontrolled cell proliferation, inducing the mortality of cancer cells and subsequent development of primary tumours.

With this purpose, in this work we analysed in vitro how the modulation of stiffness can influence proliferation, viability and aggregation of hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG(2)) embedded in 3D micromilieus mimicking values of elasticity of fibrotic liver tissues.

Experiments were performed by immobilizing up to 10 HepG(2) cells within microcapsules made of 0.8%, 1.0% and 1.4% w/v alginate which, besides having values of elasticity from the lower-healthy to the upper-fibrotic range liver tissues, lacked domains for proteases, mimicking the micromilieu existing in hepatic primary tumours.

Our results show that entrapped cells exhibited a short duplication phase followed by an irreversible decay stage, in which cell mortality could be mediated by two mechanisms: mechanical stress, in the case of cells entrapped in a stiffer micromilieu; and mass transfer limitations produced by pore coarsening at the interface cell-matrix, in softer micromilieus.

According to the authors' knowledge, this work represents the first attempt to elucidate the role of liver fibrosis during Hepatocarcinoma pathologies, suggesting that the generation of a non-biodegradable and mechanically unfavourable environment surrounding cancer cells could control the proliferation, migration of metastatic cells and the subsequent development of primary tumours.

Abstract

The effect of the addition of materials on the leaching pattern of As and metals (Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Cd) in two contaminated soils was investigated. The examined materials included bentonites, silicates and industrial wastes, such as sugar foam, fly ashes and a material originated from the zeolitization of fly ash. Soil + material mixtures were prepared at 10% doses. Changes in the acid neutralization capacity, crystalline phases and contaminant leaching over a wide range of pHs were examined by using pHstat leaching tests. Sugar foam, the zeolitic material and MX-80 bentonite produced the greatest decrease in the leaching of pollutants due to an increase in the pH and/or the sorption capacity in the resulting mixture. This finding suggests that soil remediation may be a feasible option for the reuse of non-hazardous wastes.

Abstract

Herein, we present an integral optical and electrical theoretical analysis of the effect of different diffuse light scattering designs on the performance of dye solar cells. Light harvesting efficiencies and electron generation functions extracted from optical numerical calculations based on a Monte Carlo approach are introduced in a standard electron diffusion model to obtain the steady-state characteristics of the different configurations considered. We demonstrate that there is a strong dependence of the incident photon to current conversion efficiency, and thus of the overall conversion efficiency, on the interplay between the value of the electron diffusion length considered and the type of light scattering design employed, which determines the spatial dependence of the electron generation function. Other effects, like the influence of increased photoelectron generation on the photovoltage, are also discussed. Optimized scattering designs for different combinations of electrode thickness and electron diffusion length are proposed.

Abstract

Gold supported on cryptomelane-type OMS-2 catalysts deposited on AISI 304 stainless steels monoliths have been prepared for the first time, characterised and tested in the CO oxidation reaction. An easy and non-conventional method of incorporation of gold to the cryptomelane solid is used. This method allows the preparation of the monolithic catalysts without altering the structural and textural characteristics of the parent OMS-2 material. Although these catalysts do not show an optimal performance for the oxidation of CO, the presence of small gold particles enhances the catalytic performances of the cryptomelane producing promissory CO oxidation catalysts. The non-conventional gold deposition favours a partial loss of K ⁺ into the channels, resulting in an increment of the average oxidation state of manganese which favours the catalytic behaviour of these kinds of materials. This study can be taken as a starting point to obtain very active gold catalysts supported on OMS-2 materials through the optimisation of the gold-support interaction and the decrease in the gold particle size.

Abstract

Silicon incorporation in TiO ₂ phases at increasing pressures until 20 GPa at 1300 °C has been studied by XRD and TEM. Rutile is the stable Si-doped TiO ₂ phase until at least 7 GPa, transforming into α-PbO ₂ structured TiO2 between 7 and 10 GPa. The further transformation to the TiO ₂ polymorph with the baddeleyite structure, akaogiite, has not been observed on the quenched samples. XRD and TEM-EDX data suggest that the Si-doped TiO ₂ akaogiite polymorph is non-quenchable and reverts to a-PbO2 structured TiO ₂ when releasing the pressure. This transformation gives rise to α-PbO ₂ structured TiO ₂ grains decorated with p fringes stacking faults. Silicon solubility in TiO ₂ phases increases with increasing the synthesis pressure until 16 GPa, implying the substitutional solid solution to be the mechanism of solubility. The influence of the dopants on the stability of the rutile and the α-PbO2 structured TiO ₂ has also been analyzed.

Abstract

The total oxidation of toluene is studied over catalytic systems based on perovskite with general formula AA′CoO _3-δ (A = La, A′ = Sr). The systematic and progressive substitution of La ³⁺ by Sr ²⁺ cations in the series (La _1-xSr _xCoO _3-δ system) of the perovskites have been studied to determine their influence in the final properties of these mixed oxides and their corresponding reactivity performance for the total oxidation of toluene as a model volatile organic compound with detrimental effects for health and environment. The structure and morphology of the samples before and after reaction have been characterized by XRD, BET and FE-SEM techniques. Additional experiments of temperature programmed desorption of O ₂ in vacuum and reduction in H ₂ were also performed to identify the main surface oxygen species and the reducibility of the different perovskites. It is remarkable that the La _1-xSr _xCoO _3-δ series presents better catalytic performance for the oxidation of toluene, with lower values for the T ₅₀ (temperature of 50 % toluene conversion) than the previously studied LaNi _1-yCoyO ₃ series.

Abstract

This work reports the preparation, by a new remote assisted plasma deposition process, of luminescent nanocomposite thin films consisting of an insoluble organic matrix where photonically active perylene molecules are embedded. The films are obtained by the remote plasma deposition of adamantane and perylene precursor molecules. The results show that the adamantane precursor is very effective to improve the perylene–adamantane nanocomposite transparency in comparison with plasma deposited perylene films. The plasma deposited adamantane films have been characterized by secondary-ion mass spectrometry and FT-IR spectroscopy. These techniques and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been also used for the characterization of the nanocomposite films. Their optical properties (UV–vis absorption, fluorescence, and refractive index) have been also determined and their sensing properties toward NO₂ studied. It is found that samples with the perylene molecules embedded within the transparent plasma deposited matrix are highly sensitive toward this gas and that the sensitivity of the films can be adjusted by modifying the aggregation state of the perylene molecules, as determined by the analysis of their fluorescence spectra. By monitoring the fluorescence emission of these films, it has been possible to detect a NO₂ concentration as low as 0.5 ppm in air at room temperature. Because of their chemical stability and transparency in the UV region, the remote plasma deposited adamantane thin films have revealed as an optimum host matrix for the development of photonically active composites for sensing applications.

Abstract

Monophase nanocrystalline powders belonging to the La_1−xSr_xMnO_3±δ system (0≤x≤1) with a perovskite structure have been obtained by mechanochemistry synthesis using a planetary ball milling equipment from La₂O₃, SrO, and Mn₂O₃ mixtures. The solid state reaction was complete after one hour of milling treatment. For all the compositional range, the diffraction domain was very small and the structure appeared as a pseudo cubic perovskite. After annealing at 1100 °C under static air, the symmetry evolution due to the La substitution by Sr was analyzed by X-ray and electron diffraction. Samples with x=0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 were assigned to R-3c space group (1 6 7) in the rhombohedral system and perovskite structure. However, the symmetry of the last term of the system (x=1), SrMnO_3±δ sample, changed to P6₃/mmc space group (1 9 4) in the hexagonal system. The terms with x=0.8, 0.85, and 0.9 presented mainly rhombohedral symmetry.

Abstract

The synthesis and structure resolution of RbLaF4 are described. RbLaF4 is synthesized by solid-state reaction between RbF and LaF3 at 425 degrees C under a nonoxidizing atmosphere. Its crystal structure has been resolved by combining neutron and synchrotron powder diffraction data refinements (Pnma, a = 6.46281(2) angstrom, b = 3.86498(1) angstrom, c = 16.176:29(4) angstrom, Z = 4). One-dimensional Rb-87, La-139, and F-19 MAS NMR spectra have been recorded and are in agreement with the proposed structural model. Assignment of the F-19 resonances is performed on the basis of both F-19-La-139 J-coupling multiplet patterns observed in a heteronudear DQ-filtered J-resolved spectrum and F-19-Rb-87 HMQC MAS experiments. DFT calculations of both the F-19 isotropic chemical shieldings and the Rb-87, La-139 electric field gradient tensors using the GIPAW and PAW methods implemented in the CASTEP code are in good agreement with the experimental values and support the proposed structural model. Finally, the conductivity of RbLaF4 and luminescence properties of Eu-doped LaRbF4 are investigated.

Abstract

A working electrode design based on a highly porous 1D photonic crystal structure that opens the path towards high photocurrents in thin, transparent, dye-sensitized solar cells is presented. By enlarging the average pore size with respect to previous photonic crystal designs, the new working electrode not only increases the device photocurrent, as predicted by theoretical models, but also allows the observation of an unprecedented boost of the cell photovoltage, which can be attributed to structural modifications caused during the integration of the photonic crystal. These synergic effects yield conversion efficiencies of around 3.5% by using just 2 mu m thick electrodes, with enhancements between 100% and 150% with respect to reference cells of the same thickness.

Abstract

A series of ZnO and Fe ₂O ₃ modified ceria/alumina supports and their corresponding gold catalyst were prepared and studied in the CO oxidation reaction. ZnO-doped solids show a superior catalytic activity compared to the bare CeO ₂-Al ₂O ₃, which is attributed to the intimate contact of the ZnO and CeO ₂ phases, since an exchange of the lattice oxygen occurs at the interface. In a similar way, Fe ₂O ₃-modified supports increase the ability of the CeO ₂-Al ₂O ₃ solids to eliminate CO caused by both the existence of Ce-Fe contact surface and the Fe ₂O ₃ intrinsic activity. All of the gold catalysts were very efficient in oxidising CO irrespective of the doping metal oxide or loading, with the ZnO containing systems better than the others. The majority of the systems reached total CO conversion below room temperature with the ZnO and Fe ₂O ₃ monolayer loaded systems the most efficient within the series.

Abstract

Growth of amorphous SiO₂ thin films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering at low temperatures has been studied under different oxygen partial pressure conditions. Film microstructures varied from coalescent vertical column-like to homogeneous compact microstructures, possessing all similar refractive indexes. A discussion on the process responsible for the different microstructures is carried out focusing on the influence of (i) the surface shadowing mechanism, (ii) the positive ion impingement on the film, and (iii) the negative ion impingement. We conclude that only the trend followed by the latter and, in particular, the impingement of O^- ions with kinetic energies between 20 and 200 eV, agrees with the resulting microstructural changes. Overall, it is also demonstrated that there are two main microstructuring regimes in the growth of amorphous SiO₂ thin films by magnetron sputtering at low temperatures, controlled by the amount of O₂ in the deposition reactor, which stem from the competition between surface shadowing and ion-induced adatom surface mobility.

Abstract

Nanoindentation has become a common technique for measuring the hardness and elastic–plastic properties of materials, including coatings and thin films. In recent years, different nanoindenter instruments have been commercialised and used for this purpose. Each instrument is equipped with its own analysis software for the derivation of the hardness and reduced Young's modulus from the raw data. These data are mostly analysed through the Oliver and Pharr method. In all cases, the calibration of compliance and area function is mandatory. The present work illustrates and describes a calibration procedure and an approach to raw data analysis carried out for six different nanoindentation instruments through several round-robin experiments. Three different indenters were used, Berkovich, cube corner, spherical, and three standardised reference samples were chosen, hard fused quartz, soft polycarbonate, and sapphire. It was clearly shown that the use of these common procedures consistently limited the hardness and reduced the Young's modulus data spread compared to the same measurements performed using instrument-specific procedures. The following recommendations for nanoindentation calibration must be followed: (a) use only sharp indenters, (b) set an upper cut-off value for the penetration depth below which measurements must be considered unreliable, (c) perform nanoindentation measurements with limited thermal drift, (d) ensure that the load–displacement curves are as smooth as possible, (e) perform stiffness measurements specific to each instrument/indenter couple, (f) use Fq and Sa as calibration reference samples for stiffness and area function determination, (g) use a function, rather than a single value, for the stiffness and (h) adopt a unique protocol and software for raw data analysis in order to limit the data spread related to the instruments (i.e. the level of drift or noise, defects of a given probe) and to make the H and E_r data intercomparable.

Abstract

This work reports the synthesis at room temperature of transparent and colored W_xSi_yO_z thin films by magnetron sputtering (MS) from a single cathode. The films were characterized by a large set of techniques including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopies. Their optical properties were determined by the analysis of the transmission and reflection spectra. It was found that both the relative amount of tungsten in the W–Si MS target and the ratio O₂/Ar in the plasma gas were critical parameters to control the blue coloration of the films. The long-term stability of the color, attributed to the formation of a high concentration of W⁵⁺ and W⁴⁺ species, has been related with the formation of W–O–Si bond linkages in an amorphous network. At normal geometry (i.e., substrate surface parallel to the target) the films were rather compact, whereas they were very porous and had less tungsten content when deposited in a glancing angle configuration. In this case, they presented outstanding electrochromic properties characterized by a fast response, a high coloration, a complete reversibility after more than one thousand cycles and a relatively very low refractive index in the bleached state.

Abstract

[No abstract available]