Spontaneous evolution of nanotips on silicon surface below the laser ablation threshold

A low power density single-pulse laser irradiation of the Si surface has been used for the study of formation and self-organization of silicon nanotips. A two dimensional regular array of hillock-like nanotips has been created in the central region, a disturbed array comprising crossed lines of hillocks in the near-central region, and the “V”-shaped array in the peripheral region. Therefore, the long-range organization of hillocks changes from the center toward the periphery, following the Gaussian-like laser power profile. The evolution of hillocks due to the flow instability of molten silicon is equivalent to the instability of a liquid layer falling down a vertical plate. The novel result is that the hillock-like soliton structures can be identified with the lump solitons resulting from the nonlinear hydrodynamic instability evolution.     

Preparation and Photocatalytic Performance of TiO2 Nanowire-Based Self-Supported Hybrid Membranes

Nowadays, the use of hybrid structures and multi-component materials is gaining ground in the fields of environmental protection, water treatment and removal of organic pollutants. This study describes promising, cheap and photoactive self-supported hybrid membranes as a possible solution for wastewater treatment applications. In the course of this research work, the photocatalytic performance of titania nanowire (TiO₂ NW)-based hybrid membranes in the adsorption and degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation was investigated. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) were used to study the morphology and surface of the as-prepared hybrid membranes. We tested the photocatalytic efficiency of the as-prepared membranes in decomposing methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. The hybrid membranes achieved the removal of MB with a degradation efficiency of 90% in 60 min. The high efficiency can be attributed to the presence of binary components in the membrane that enhanced both the adsorption capability and the photocatalytic ability of the membranes. The results obtained suggest that multicomponent hybrid membranes could be promising candidates for future photocatalysis-based water treatment technologies that also take into account the principles of circular economy.     

Development of magnetic,ferrite supported palladium catalysts for 2,4-dinitrotoluene hydrogenation

Cobalt, copper, and nickel ferrite spinel nanoparticles have been synthesized by using a combination of sonochemical treatment and combustion. The magnetic nanoparticles have been used as supports to prepare ~4 wt% palladium catalysts. The ferrites were dispersed in an ethanolic solution of Pd(II) nitrate by ultrasonication. The palladium ions were reduced to metallic Pd nanoparticles, which were then attached to the surface of the different metal oxide supports. Thus, three different catalysts (Pd/CoFe₂O₄, Pd/CuFe₂O₄, Pd/NiFe₂O₄) were made and tested in the hydrogenation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT). A possible reaction mechanism, including the detected species, has been envisaged based on the results. The highest 2,4-diaminotoluene (TDA) yield (99 n/n%) has been achieved by using the Pd/NiFe₂O₄ catalyst. Furthermore, the TDA yield was also reasonable (84.2 n/n%) when the Pd/CoFe₂O₄ catalyst was used. In this case, complete and easy recovery of the catalyst from the reaction medium is ensured, as the ferrite support is fully magnetic. Thus, the catalyst is very well suited for applicationy in the hydrogenation of DNT or other aromatic nitro compounds.     

Modified π-states in ion-irradiated carbon

CVD polycrystalline diamond film, pulse laser-deposited (PLD) carbon film and highly oriented pirolitical graphite (HOPG) as reference, were modified by means of Ar⁺ ion bombardment and characterized by means of Raman scattering, transmission electron microscopy, electron-diffraction (TEM), reflected electron energy loss specroscopy (REELS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. It was found that the diamond was transferred to a carbon with halo-like morphology and disordered stack of graphene segments. Instead of the well-known electron energy loss peak of graphite at 6.5 eV, a new REELS peak appeared at 4-5 eV energies. The observed effect was explained by the modification of π-system in carbon films as a consequence of the formation of non-planar, nanometer-sized graphitic planes.