Artículos SCI

Abstract

A complete characterisation of fibres used in Spanish artwork is necessary to provide a complete knowledge of these natural fibres and their stage of degradation. Textile samples employed as painting supports on canvas and one sample of unprocessed plant material were chosen for this study. All the samples were investigated by synchrotron radiation X-ray diffraction (SR-XRD). Flax and cotton have the Cellulose I structure. The values of the crystalline index (CI) were calculated for both types of fibres. The structure of Cellulose IV was associated with the unprocessed plant material. The information obtained by SR-XRD was confirmed by laboratory techniques including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Abstract

In this work amorphous silicon oxynitride films with similar composition (ca. Si0.40N0.45O0.10) were deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering from a pure Si target under different N-2-Ar mixtures. Rutherford backscattering (RBS) studies revealed that the coatings presented similar composition but different density. The mechanical properties evaluated by nanoindentation show also a dependence on the deposition conditions that does not correlate with a change in composition. An increase in nitrogen content in the gas phase results in a decrease of hardness and Young's modulus. The microstructural study by high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM-FEG) on non-metalized samples allowed the detection of a close porosity in the form of nano-voids (3-15 nm in size), particularly in the coatings prepared under pure N-2 gas. It has been shown how the presence of the close porosity allows tuning the refraction index of the films in a wide range of values without modifying significantly the chemical, thermal and mechanical stability of the film.

Abstract

The implantation of controlled drug release devices represents a new strategy in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders Sol-gel titania implants filled with valproic acid, have been used for this purpose to treat induced epilepsy in rats The kinetics of the drug release depend on. (a) porosity, (b) chemical interactions between valproic acid and surface hydroxyl groups of titania, (c) particle size, and (d) particle size agglomerates The concentration of water used in the hydrolysis reaction is an important variable in the degree of porosity, hydroxylation, and structural defects of the nanostructured titanium oxide reservoir The titanium n-butoxide/water ratio was systematically varied during the sol-gel synthesis, while maintaining the amount of valproic acid constant. Characterization studies were performed using DTA-TGA, FTIR, Raman, TEM, SEM, BET, and in vitro release kinetic measurements The particle agglomerate size and porosity were found to depend on the amount of water used in the sol-gel reactio.

Abstract

An enhanced fluorescent emission of the dye Rhodamine 800 in the Near-IR is observed in the presence of other xanthene dye molecules (RhX) when they are hosted in different matrices due to the formation of a new type of fluorescent J-heteroaggregates.

This enhanced emission of the acceptor occurs despite the low spectral overlapping and the low quantum yield of Rh800.

Abstract

The measured peak shape and intensity of the photoemitted signal in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments (elastic and inelastic parts included) are strongly correlated, through electron-transport theory, with the depth distribution of photoelectron emitters within the analyzed surface. This is the basis of so-called XPS peak-shape analysis (also known as the Tougaard method) for non-destructive determination of compositional in-depth (up to 6-8 nm) profiles. This review describes the theoretical basis and reliability of this procedure for quantifying amounts and distributions of material within a surface. The possibilities of this kind of analysis are illustrated with several case examples related to the study of the initial steps of thin-film growth and the modifications induced in polymer surfaces after plasma treatments.

Abstract

We present for the first time a general vacuum process for the growth of supported organic nanowires formed by pi-conjugated molecules, including metalloporphyrins, metallophthalocyanines, and perylenes. This methodology consists on a one-step physical vapor deposition of the pi-conjugated molecules. The synthesis is carried out at controlled temperature on substrates with tailor morphology which allows the growth or organic nanowires in the form of squared nanofibers and nanobelts. The study of the nanowires by electron diffraction and HRTEM combining with the results of a theoretical analysis of the possible arrangement of the pi-conjugated molecules along the nanowires reveals that the nanowires show a columnar structure along the fiber axis consisting of pi-stacked molecules having a herringbone-like arrangement. The formation of these nanowires on different substrates demonstrates that the growth mechanism is independent of the substrate chemical composition. An in-depth phenomenological study of the Formation of the nanowires drives us to propose a growth mechanism based on a crystallization process. Furthermore, the growth method allows the fabrication of two particular ID heterostructures: binary and open core@shell organic nanofibers.

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plates have been exposed to different nitrogen containing plasmas with the purpose of incorporating nitrogen functional groups on its surface. Results with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) at atmospheric pressure and a microwave discharge (MW) at reduced pressure and those using an atom source working under ultrahigh vacuum conditions have been compared for N-2 and mixtures Ar + NH3 as plasma gases. The functional groups have been monitored by X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS). Nondestructive oxygen and carbon depth profiles for the plasma treated and one month aged samples have been determined by means of the nondestructive Tougaard's method of XPS background analysis. The surface topography of the treated samples has been examined by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), while the surface tension has been determined by measuring the static contact angles of water and iodomethane. It has been found that the DBD with a mixture of Ar+NH3 is the most efficient treatment for nitrogen and amine group functionalization as determined by derivatization by reaction with chlorobenzaldehyde. It is also realized that the nitrogen functional groups do not contribute significantly to the observed increase in surface tension of plasma treated PET.

Abstract

The employment of synchrotron techniques complemented by conventional laboratory systems has allowed us to deepen and improve our knowledge of Roman wall painting procedures. The palette identified in wall paintings from Pompeii and Herculaneum from the second century bc includes goethite, hematite, cinnabar, glauconite, Egyptian blue, and other components such as calcite and aragonite. Proof of the use of organic binders is provided by FTIR and PY-GC/MS. Therefore, the possibility of the use of 'a secco' techniques cannot be ruled out. Pigments in wall paintings are usually found in small percentages and conventional X-ray diffractometers do not detect them. Synchrotron radiation - high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction has allowed identification with only a few micrograms of sample.

Abstract

The micro and nanostructure of Cu-Al, Cu-V and Cu-Ti alloys produced by reactive milling were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Samples with different milling times (t = 0, 10, 20 and 30 h) were considered. The grain size, dislocation density and residual microstrain were evaluated form the XRD data using the Williamson-Hall and Klug-Alexander methods. The evolution of texture as a function of milling time was also studied using XRD. It was found, using TEM, that the grain size and dispersoid size were nanometric in all three alloys considered.

Abstract

In the present work, we report the physico-chemical properties and structural characteristics of special polyhydroxy fatty acid nanoparticles after their fusion by means of attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and light microscopy. All the characteristics and properties investigated have an important degree of similarity to the native plant cutin, the main biopolymer present in the plant cuticles. The supramolecular organization of these polymerized prime nanoparticles after their interaction on cellulose substrate and isolated cuticle samples, simulating the in vivo conditions in epidermal plant cells, strongly suggests a growth of these nanoparticles after a self-assembly process.

Abstract

A simple analytical model that allows designing one-dimensional photonic crystal based dye sensitized solar cells of optimized performance, accounting for the actual optical features of the device, is herein presented. Based on the theoretical description of the effect of coupling such Bragg mirrors to the light harvesting electrode, recently reported experimental values of the spectral dependence of incident photon to current conversion efficiency attained for such Structures are fairly reproduced and rationalized. A thorough analysis or them in terms of the interplay between the effect of the electrode thickness and the characteristics of the Bragg reflection, such as intensity, spectral position, and width, is provided. Predictions on the maximum enhancement factors expected for realistic Structures are also presented.

Abstract

The interaction of O-2 with gold foil and gold nanoparticles grown by thermal deposition on TiO2(110) was studied by in situ ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at room temperature. No spontaneous dissociation of O-2 was observed either on Au foil or oil Au nanoparticles up to 1 Torr of O-2. X-ray irradiation, however, is very effective in promoting gold oxidation on both surfaces in the presence of O-2. Our results help reconcile recent conflicting experimental observations regarding the activation of molecular oxygen, which is a crucial issue in Au catalyzed oxidation reactions.

Abstract

Fluorescent tetracationic porphyrin (TMPyP) molecules have been incorporated into optically transparent TiO2 thin films acting as a host material. The films, with a columnar structure and open pores, were prepared by electron evaporation at glancing angles (GAPVD). The open porosity of the films has been estimated by measuring a water adsorption isotherm with a quartz crystal monitor. TMPyP molecules were infiltrated in the host thin films by their immersion into water solutions at controlled values of pH. The state of the adsorbed molecules, the infiltration efficiency, and the adsorption kinetics were assessed by analyzing the optical response of the films by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence techniques. The infiltration efficiency was directly correlated with the acidity of the medium, increasing at basic pHs as expected from simple considerations based on the concepts of the point of zero charge (PZC) developed for colloidal oxides. By a quantitative evaluation based on the analysis of the UV spectra, the infiltration process has been described by a Langmuir type adsorption isotherm and an Elovich-like kinetics. The accessibility of the infiltrated molecules in the TMPyP/TiO2 composite films is assessed by following the changes of their optical properties when exposed to the acid vapors and their subsequent recovery with time.

Abstract

Morphological evolution of ZrO2 thin films deposited during pulsed laser deposition of Zr in O-2 atmosphere has been experimentally studied at two different film deposition temperatures, 300 and 873 K. The roughness exponent, alpha, the growth exponent, beta, the coarsening exponent, 1/z, and the exponent defining the evolution of the characteristic wavelength of the surface, p, for depositions at 300 K amounted to beta = 1.0 +/- 0.1, alpha = 0.4 +/- 0.1, 1/z = 0.34 +/- 0.03, and p = 0.49 +/- 0.03, whereas for depositions carried out at 873 K amounted to beta = 0.3 +/- 0.3, alpha = 0.4 +/- 0.2, and 1/z = 0.0 +/- 0.2. Experimental error becomes important due to the flat morphology of the films inherent to the deposition technique. The change in the surface topography with the film temperature has been studied with the help of a simple Monte Carlo model which indicates the existence of two different growth regimes: a shadowing dominated growth, occurring at low temperatures, characterized by calculated values beta = 1.00 +/- 0.04, alpha = 0.50 +/- 0.04, p = 0.46 +/- 0.01, and 1/z = 0.35 +/- 0.02 and a diffusion dominated growth that takes place at high temperatures as well as at low deposition rates, characterized by calculated values beta = 0.15 +/- 0.08, alpha = 0.33 +/- 0.04, and 1/z = 0.33 +/- 0.07. The good agreement obtained between the experimental and simulated parameters is discussed within the frame of the general characteristics of the deposition method.

Abstract

Nowadays, the technological utilization of reactive hydride composites (RHC) Lis hydrogen storage materials is limited by their reaction kinetics. However, addition of transition-metal-based additives, for instance titanium isopropoxide (Ti-iso), to the 2LiBH(4)+MgH2 system, results in a significant improvement of sorption kinetics. In this work, the evolution of chemical state and local structure of the Ti-based additive has been investigated by means of X-ray absorption (XAS) and photoemission (XPS) spectroscopy. X-ray absorption near-edge Structure (XANES) its well as extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis have been Undertaken at the Ti K-edge. The measurements reveal the formation of a highly dispersed and disordered TiO2-like phase during ball milling. During first desorption reduced titanium oxide and titanium boride are formed and remain stable upon cycling. The Surface analysis performed by XPS shows that the reduction processes of the Ti-based additive during first desorption IS Coupled to the migration of the Ti species front the surface to the bulk of the material. Several factors, related to favoring heterogeneous nucleation of MgB2 and the increase of interfacial area through grain refinement are proposed as potential driving force, among other effects, for the observed kinetic improvement.

Abstract

Due to their potential retention capacity, clay minerals have been proposed for use in the engineered barriers for the storage of high-level radioactive actinides in deep geological waste repositories. However, there is still a lack of data on the sorption of actinides in clays in conditions simulating those of the repositories. The present article examines the sorption of two lanthanides (actinide analogues) in a set of smectitic clays (FEBEX bentonite, MX80 bentonite, hectorite, saponite, Otay montmorillonite, and Texas montmorillonite). Distribution coefficients (K-d) were determined in two media: water and 0.02 mol L-1 Ca, the latter representing the cement leachates that may modify the chemical composition of the water in contact with the clay. The K-d values of the lanthanides used in the experiments (La and Lu) varied greatly (25-50 000 L kg(-1)) depending on the ionic medium (higher values in water than in the Ca medium), the initial lanthanide concentration (up to three orders of magnitude decrease inversely with lanthanide concentration), and the examined clay (up to one order of magnitude for the same lanthanide and sorption medium). Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were used to fit sorption data to allow comparison of the sorption parameters among smectites. The model based on the two-site Langmuir isotherms provided the best fit of the sorption data, confirming the existence of sorption sites with different binding energies. The sites with higher sorption affinity were about 6% of the total sorption capacity in the water medium, and up to 17% in the Ca medium, although in this latter site sorption selectivity was lower. The wide range of K-d values obtained regarding the factors examined indicated that the retention properties of the clays should also be considered when selecting a suitable clay for engineered barriers.

Abstract

Two series of Co-Mn samples were prepared by impregnation of silica with aqueous solutions or Co(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O and/or Mn(NO3)(2)center dot 6H(2)O. Cobalt oxide was the predominant phase in one of the series and manganese was used as the promoter. The major component in the second series was manganese oxide and Co was the promoter. The prepared samples were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and tested in the reaction of complete n-hexane oxidation. The catalytic activity of both single component cobalt and manganese samples was similar, however, a combination between the two elements changed significantly the activity and this depended on the method of preparation. Catalysts prepared by a common solution of Co- and Mn nitrates manifested a considerable increase in activity as a result of very low crystallinity of the supported metal oxide phases, partial enrichment of the surface with cobalt and uniform distribution of oxide agglomerates on the support.

Abstract

A series of nanosized W,N-co-doped anatase TiO2 catalysts with different dopant contents has been prepared by a microemulsion method and examined in the sunlight selective photo-oxidation of toluene and styrene. The activity results have been correlated with structural, electronic, and surface examinations of the catalysts done with the help of XRD-Rietveld, N-2 physisorption and NH3 chemisorption-calorimetry, XPS, Infrared, and UV-visible spectroscopies. Irrespective of the reaction, a consistent reaction rate enhancement with respect to titania (nano-TiO2, P25) references and W-doped TiO2 systems is observed for single-phase anatase W,N-co-doped samples. This is likely linked with the decrease of the band gap energy decrease and results from a combined W-N cooperative effect on structural properties of the anatase network. W,N simultaneous presence also makes a drastic effect on selectivity, maximizing the yield to partial oxidation products. This appears related with surface properties of the materials.

Abstract

This work focuses on the study of paper and textiles used in the binding of a series of manuscripts that share some specific characteristics that lead us to speculate on the possibility of a transitional codicological typology from the Arabic to the Christian book in Al-Andalus during the 15th century. The books we analyzed belong to the collection of the Historical Archive of Malaga, the Archive of Sacromonte Abbey, in Granada, the School of Arabic Studies and the Library of P.P. Escolapios, also in Granada. Paper physical study was performed by microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. A routine and objective method, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, was employed and proved to be a useful technique for the characterization of cellulosic fibres, main component of paper from the boards and the envelope flap pasteboards, and the fabric lining from the cover. The results of our research will help us to date, identify and study the evolution of the techniques, proving that the materials and innovations of the Italian paper manufacturing processes were perfectly known in the south of modern day Spain, before the Christian Reconquest.