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Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications
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Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2021) | Viewed by 44765

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Daniela Meroni

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: hybrid materials; nanocomposites; smart surfaces; triggered release; bioimaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Hybrid materials occupy a prominent position in materials science, owing to their applications in extremely diverse research fields, such as energy, electronics, optics, health, and environmental protection. Thanks to the nanometer scale combination of two or more components, hybrid materials are endowed with tunable properties and an enhanced performance, with respect to their individual constituents.

This Special Issue aims at showcasing the latest advances in this highly interdisciplinary field, from both an experimental and theoretical perspective. This Special Issue invites contributions on the synthesis, characterization, and application of organic–inorganic hybrid materials, with a focus on the modification of interface properties for the desired application.
Example of applications include (the list is neither exhaustive nor exclusive) the following:

  • electronics and optoelectronics;
  • energy storage and conversion;
  • pollutant remediation;
  • catalysis and photocatalysis;
  • sensors and actuators;
  • functional coatings and smart materials;
  • water and oil repellent materials;
  • diagnostics and drug delivery;
  • biomaterials.

Dr. Daniela Meroni
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • nanocomposites
  • advanced functional materials
  • organic–inorganic composites
  • surface functionalization
  • materials science

Published Papers (16 papers)

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23 pages, 6337 KiB  
Article
A New Protocol for Ash Wood Modification: Synthesis of Hydrophobic and Antibacterial Brushes from the Wood Surface
by Angelika Macior, Izabela Zaborniak, Paweł Chmielarz, Joanna Smenda, Karol Wolski, Ewa Ciszkowicz and Katarzyna Lecka-Szlachta
Molecules 2022, 27(3), 890; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27030890 - 28 Jan 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2654
Abstract
The article presents the modification of ash wood via surface initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization mediated by elemental silver (Ag0 SI-ARGET ATRP) at a diminished catalyst concentration. Ash wood is functionalized with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl [...] Read more.
The article presents the modification of ash wood via surface initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization mediated by elemental silver (Ag0 SI-ARGET ATRP) at a diminished catalyst concentration. Ash wood is functionalized with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) to yield wood grafted with PMMA-b-PDMAEMA-Br copolymers with hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy confirmed the covalent incorporation of functional ATRP initiation sites and polymer chains into the wood structure. The polymerization kinetics was followed by the analysis of the polymer grown in solution from the sacrificial initiator by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The polymer layer covalently attached to the wood surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The hydrophobic properties of hybrid materials were confirmed by water contact angle measurements. Water and sodium chloride salt aqueous solution uptake tests confirmed a significant improvement in resistance to the absorption of wood samples after modification with polymers. Antibacterial tests revealed that wood-QPDMAEMA-Br, as well as wood-PMMA-b-QPDMAEMA-Br, exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) in comparison with Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The paper presents an economic concept with ecological aspects of improving wood properties, which gives great opportunities to use the proposed approach in the production of functional hybrid materials for industry and high quality sports equipment, and in furniture production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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11 pages, 8235 KiB  
Article
Deposition of Hybrid Photocatalytic Layers for Air Purification Using Commercial TiO2 Powders
by Ewoud Cosaert, Cédric Wolfs, Stéphanie D. Lambert, Geraldine J. Heynderickx and Dirk Poelman
Molecules 2021, 26(21), 6584; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26216584 - 30 Oct 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1299
Abstract
Photocatalytic nanomaterials, using only light as the source of excitation, have been developed for the breakdown of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air for a long time. It is a tough challenge to immobilize these powder photocatalysts and prevent their entrainment with the [...] Read more.
Photocatalytic nanomaterials, using only light as the source of excitation, have been developed for the breakdown of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air for a long time. It is a tough challenge to immobilize these powder photocatalysts and prevent their entrainment with the gas stream. Conventional methods for making stable films typically require expensive deposition equipment and only allow the deposition of very thin layers with limited photocatalytic performance. The present work presents an alternative approach, using the combination of commercially available photocatalytic nanopowders and a polymer or inorganic sol–gel-based matrix. Analysis of the photocatalytic degradation of ethanol was studied for these layers on metallic substrates, proving a difference in photocatalytic activity for different types of stable layers. The sol–gel-based TiO2 layers showed an improved photocatalytic activity of the nanomaterials compared with the polymer TiO2 layers. In addition, the used preparation methods require only a limited amount of photocatalyst, little equipment, and allow easy upscaling. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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13 pages, 2057 KiB  
Article
Conversion of Organic Dyes into Pigments: Extraction of Flavonoids from Blackberries (Rubus ulmifolius) and Stabilization
by Rossella G. Candela, Giuseppe Lazzara, Sonia Piacente, Maurizio Bruno, Giuseppe Cavallaro and Natale Badalamenti
Molecules 2021, 26(20), 6278; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26206278 - 17 Oct 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2302
Abstract
The blackberry’s color is composed mainly of natural dyes called anthocyanins. Their color is red–purple, and they can be used as a natural colorant. Anthocyanins are flavonoids, which are products of plants, and their colors range from orange and red to various shades [...] Read more.
The blackberry’s color is composed mainly of natural dyes called anthocyanins. Their color is red–purple, and they can be used as a natural colorant. Anthocyanins are flavonoids, which are products of plants, and their colors range from orange and red to various shades of blue, purple and green, according to pH. In this study, the chemical composition of an extract obtained from blackberries was defined by LC-ESI/LTQOrbitrap/MS in positive and negative ionization mode. Furthermore, we investigated the adsorption process of blackberry extract using several inorganic fillers, such as metakaolin, silica, Lipari pumice, white pozzolan and alumina. The pigments exhibit different colors as a function of their interactions with the fillers. The analysis of the absorption data allowed the estimation of the maximum adsorbing capacity of each individual filler tested. Through thermogravimetric measurements (TGA), the thermal stability and the real adsorption of the organic extract were determined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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15 pages, 6285 KiB  
Article
New Hybrid Polyurea-Polyurethane Elastomers with Antistatic Properties and an Influence of Various Additives on Their Physicochemical Properties
by Szymon Kosiński, Marcin Gonsior, Piotr Krzyżanowski and Iwona Rykowska
Molecules 2021, 26(19), 5778; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26195778 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2935
Abstract
Polyurea is a synthetic high-strength elastomeric material that can be sprayed as a coating over existing structures in order to protect against weathering effects. It is ideal for anti-corrosion protection and is characterized by excellent mechanical properties and adhesion to various surfaces. Further [...] Read more.
Polyurea is a synthetic high-strength elastomeric material that can be sprayed as a coating over existing structures in order to protect against weathering effects. It is ideal for anti-corrosion protection and is characterized by excellent mechanical properties and adhesion to various surfaces. Further development of this technology may allow obtaining new coatings with improved antistatic properties, which would be an excellent alternative compared to used antistatic epoxy paints. This paper will examine the influence of tetraalkylammonium salt (1), potassium hexafluorophosphate solution (2) and imidazolium-based ionic liquid (3) on the improvement of antistatic properties of the polyurea-polyurethane coatings. In addition, the modified samples were also verified in terms of changes in mechanical properties and the appearance of functional groups other than in the reference sample, as well as surface defects that may arise due to incompatibility of the antistatic additive with the polymer matrix. In order to obtain information about the properties mentioned above, the electrical resistance was determined, the tensile strength and elongation were measured, FT-IR spectra were made, and images were taken with the use of scanning electron microscopy. The conducted research showed that the antistatic properties of the tested hybrid coatings could be improved, but their use may be associated with certain limitations that should be taken into account when designing such materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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19 pages, 18443 KiB  
Article
A Perfect Plastic Material for Studies on Self-Propelled Motion on the Water Surface
by Richard J. G. Löffler, Martin M. Hanczyc and Jerzy Gorecki
Molecules 2021, 26(11), 3116; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26113116 - 23 May 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2436
Abstract
We describe a novel plastic material composed of camphene, camphor, and polypropylene that seems perfectly suited for studies on self-propelled objects on the water surface. Self-motion is one of the attributes of life, and chemically propelled objects show numerous similarities with animated motion. [...] Read more.
We describe a novel plastic material composed of camphene, camphor, and polypropylene that seems perfectly suited for studies on self-propelled objects on the water surface. Self-motion is one of the attributes of life, and chemically propelled objects show numerous similarities with animated motion. One of important questions is the relationship between the object shape and its motility. In our paper published in 2019, we presented a novel hybrid material, obtained from the solution of camphor in camphene, that allowed making objects of various shapes. This hybrid material has wax-like mechanical properties, but it has a very high tackiness. Here, we report that a small amount of polypropylene removed this undesirable feature. We investigated the properties of camphor–camphene–polypropylene plastic by performing the statistical analysis of a pill trajectory inside a Petri dish and compared them with those of camphor-camphene wax. The plastic showed the stable character of motion for over an hour-long experiment. The surface activity of objects made of plastic did not significantly depend on the weight ratios of the compounds. Such a significant increase in usefulness came from the polypropylene, which controlled the dissipation of camphor and camphene molecules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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12 pages, 2129 KiB  
Communication
Fe(II) Spin Crossover/Polymer Hybrid Materials: Investigation of the SCO Behavior via Temperature-Dependent Raman Spectroscopy, Physicochemical Characterization and Migration Release Study
by Zoi G. Lada, Amaia Soto Beobide, Georgios N. Mathioudakis and George A. Voyiatzis
Molecules 2021, 26(1), 201; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26010201 - 03 Jan 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2931
Abstract
Polymeric composites constitute an appealing class of materials with applications in various fields. Spin crossover (SCO) coordination complexes are switchable materials with potential use in data storage and sensors. Their incorporation into polymers can be considered an effective method for their wider practical [...] Read more.
Polymeric composites constitute an appealing class of materials with applications in various fields. Spin crossover (SCO) coordination complexes are switchable materials with potential use in data storage and sensors. Their incorporation into polymers can be considered an effective method for their wider practical application. In this study, Fe(II) SCO/polylactic acid hybrid polymeric composites have been prepared by film casting. The mononuclear coordination complex [Fe{N(CN)2}2(abpt)2] was incorporated into polylactic acid. The morphological, structural and thermoanalytical characterization of the composite films were performed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance (ATR/FTIR), Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the migration release study (MRS) of the SCO compound from the polymeric matrix into the food simulant 50% v/v water/ethanol solution was also examined via UV/Vis absorption. Of particular interest was the investigation of the SCO behavior of the coordination complex after its incorporation into the polymer matrix; it was accomplished by temperature-dependent micro-Raman spectroscopy. The described attempt could be considered a preparatory step toward the development of SCO-based temperature sensors integrated into food packaging materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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13 pages, 2631 KiB  
Article
An Effective Hybrid Heterogeneous Catalyst to Desulfurize Diesel: Peroxotungstate@Metal–Organic Framework
by Yan Gao, Fátima Mirante, Baltazar de Castro, Jianshe Zhao, Luís Cunha-Silva and Salete S. Balula
Molecules 2020, 25(23), 5494; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25235494 - 24 Nov 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 1888
Abstract
A peroxotungstate composite comprising the chromium terephthalate metal–organic framework MIL-101(Cr) and the Venturello peroxotungstate [PO4{WO(O2)2}4]3− (PW4) has been prepared by the impregnation method. The PW4@MIL-101(Cr) composite presents high catalytic efficiency [...] Read more.
A peroxotungstate composite comprising the chromium terephthalate metal–organic framework MIL-101(Cr) and the Venturello peroxotungstate [PO4{WO(O2)2}4]3− (PW4) has been prepared by the impregnation method. The PW4@MIL-101(Cr) composite presents high catalytic efficiency for oxidative desulfurization of a multicomponent model diesel containing the most refractory sulfur compounds present in real fuels (2000 ppm of total S). The catalytic performance of this heterogeneous catalyst is similar to the corresponding homogeneous PW4 active center. Desulfurization efficiency of 99.7% was achieved after only 40 min at 70 °C using H2O2 as an oxidant and an ionic liquid as an extraction solvent ([BMIM]PF6, 2:1 model diesel/[BMIM]PF6). High recycling and reusing capacity was also found for PW4@MIL-101(Cr), maintaining its activity for consecutive oxidative desulfurization cycles. A comparison of the catalytic performance of this peroxotungstate composite with others previously reported tungstate@MIL-101(Cr) catalysts indicates that the presence of active oxygen atoms from the peroxo groups promotes a higher oxidative catalytic efficiency in a shorter reaction time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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17 pages, 16748 KiB  
Article
Deposition of Tetracoordinate Co(II) Complex with Chalcone Ligands on Graphene
by Jakub Hrubý, Šárka Vavrečková, Lukáš Masaryk, Antonín Sojka, Jorge Navarro-Giraldo, Miroslav Bartoš, Radovan Herchel, Ján Moncol, Ivan Nemec and Petr Neugebauer
Molecules 2020, 25(21), 5021; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25215021 - 29 Oct 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3318
Abstract
Studying the properties of complex molecules on surfaces is still mostly an unexplored research area because the deposition of the metal complexes has many pitfalls. Herein, we probed the possibility to produce surface hybrids by depositing a Co(II)-based complex with chalcone ligands on [...] Read more.
Studying the properties of complex molecules on surfaces is still mostly an unexplored research area because the deposition of the metal complexes has many pitfalls. Herein, we probed the possibility to produce surface hybrids by depositing a Co(II)-based complex with chalcone ligands on chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene by a wet-chemistry approach and by thermal sublimation under high vacuum. Samples were characterized by high-frequency electron spin resonance (HF-ESR), XPS, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and optical microscopy, supported with density functional theory (DFT) and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF)/N-electron valence second-order perturbation theory (NEVPT2) calculations. This compound’s rationale is its structure, with several aromatic rings for weak binding and possible favorable π–π stacking onto graphene. In contrast to expectations, we observed the formation of nanodroplets on graphene for a drop-cast sample and microcrystallites localized at grain boundaries and defects after thermal sublimation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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16 pages, 3937 KiB  
Article
Mesoporous Silica as a Drug Delivery System for Naproxen: Influence of Surface Functionalization
by Lukáš Žid, Vladimír Zeleňák, Miroslav Almáši, Adriana Zeleňáková, Jaroslava Szücsová, Jozef Bednarčík, Monika Šuleková, Alexander Hudák and Lucia Váhovská
Molecules 2020, 25(20), 4722; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25204722 - 15 Oct 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2680
Abstract
In this work we describe the relationship between surface modification of hexagonally ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 and loading/release characteristics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen. Mesoporous silica (MPS) was modified with 3-aminopropyl, phenyl and cyclohexyl groups by grafting method. Naproxen was adsorbed into [...] Read more.
In this work we describe the relationship between surface modification of hexagonally ordered mesoporous silica SBA-15 and loading/release characteristics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) naproxen. Mesoporous silica (MPS) was modified with 3-aminopropyl, phenyl and cyclohexyl groups by grafting method. Naproxen was adsorbed into pores of the prepared MPS from ethanol solution using a solvent evaporation method. The release of the drug was performed in buffer medium at pH 2 and physiological solution at pH 7.4. Parent MPSs as well as naproxen loaded MPSs were characterized using physicochemical techniques such as nitrogen adsorption/desorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Zeta potential analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and elemental analysis. The amount of naproxen released from the MPSs into the medium was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It was shown that the adsorption and desorption characteristics of naproxen are dependent on the pH of the solution and the surface functionalization of the host. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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12 pages, 2170 KiB  
Article
Dependence of the Optical Constant Parameters of p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid-Doped Polyaniline and Its Composites on Dispersion Solvents
by Fahad Usman, John Ojur Dennis, Fabrice Meriaudeau, Abdelaziz Yousif Ahmed, Khe Cheng Seong, Yap Wing Fen, Amir Reza Sadrolhosseini, Bashir Abubakar Abdulkadir, Ridwan Tobi Ayinla, Wan Mohd Ebtisyam Mustaqim Mohd Daniyal, Nur Alia Sheh Omar, Nissren Tamam and Abdelmoneim Sulieman
Molecules 2020, 25(19), 4414; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25194414 - 25 Sep 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2261
Abstract
The optical constants of Para-Toluene sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline (PANI), PANIchitosan composites, PANI-reduced graphene-oxide composites and a ternary composite comprising of PANI, chitosan and reduced graphene-oxide dispersed in diluted p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) solution and N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent have been evaluated and compared. [...] Read more.
The optical constants of Para-Toluene sulfonic acid-doped polyaniline (PANI), PANIchitosan composites, PANI-reduced graphene-oxide composites and a ternary composite comprising of PANI, chitosan and reduced graphene-oxide dispersed in diluted p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) solution and N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent have been evaluated and compared. The optical constant values were extracted from the absorbance spectra of thin layers of the respective samples. The potential utilization of the materials as the active sensing materials of surface plasmon resonance biosensors has also been assessed in terms of the estimated value of the penetration depth through a dielectric medium. The results show a reasonable dependence of the optical constant parameters on the solvent type. Higher real part refractive index (n) and real part complex dielectric permittivity (ε’) values were observed for the samples prepared using PTSA solution, while higher optical conductivity values were observed for the NMP-based samples due to their relatively higher imaginary part refractive index (k) and imaginary part complex dielectric permittivity (ε″) values. In addition, NMP-based samples show improvement in terms of the penetration depth through a dielectric medium by around 9.5, 1.6, 4.4 and 2.9 times compared to PTSA-based samples for the PANI, PANI-chitosan, PANI-RGO and the ternary composites, respectively. Based on these, it is concluded that preparation of these materials using different dispersion solvents could produce materials of different optical properties. Thus, the variation of the dispersion solvent will allow the flexible utilization of the PANI and the composites for diverse applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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21 pages, 2622 KiB  
Article
Exciton Coupling and Conformational Changes Impacting the Excited State Properties of Metal Organic Frameworks
by Andreas Windischbacher, Luca Steiner, Ritesh Haldar, Christof Wöll, Egbert Zojer and Anne-Marie Kelterer
Molecules 2020, 25(18), 4230; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25184230 - 15 Sep 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2876
Abstract
In recent years, the photophysical properties of crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become increasingly relevant for their potential application in light-emitting devices, photovoltaics, nonlinear optics and sensing. The availability of high-quality experimental data for such systems makes them ideally suited for a validation [...] Read more.
In recent years, the photophysical properties of crystalline metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have become increasingly relevant for their potential application in light-emitting devices, photovoltaics, nonlinear optics and sensing. The availability of high-quality experimental data for such systems makes them ideally suited for a validation of quantum mechanical simulations, aiming at an in-depth atomistic understanding of photophysical phenomena. Here we present a computational DFT study of the absorption and emission characteristics of a Zn-based surface-anchored metal-organic framework (Zn-SURMOF-2) containing anthracenedibenzoic acid (ADB) as linker. Combining band-structure and cluster-based simulations on ADB chromophores in various conformations and aggregation states, we are able to provide a detailed explanation of the experimentally observed photophysical properties of Zn-ADB SURMOF-2: The unexpected (weak) red-shift of the absorption maxima upon incorporating ADB chromophores into SURMOF-2 can be explained by a combination of excitonic coupling effects with conformational changes of the chromophores already in their ground state. As far as the unusually large red-shift of the emission of Zn-ADB SURMOF-2 is concerned, based on our simulations, we attribute it to a modification of the exciton coupling compared to conventional H-aggregates, which results from a relative slip of the centers of neighboring chromophores upon incorporation in Zn-ADB SURMOF-2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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16 pages, 2009 KiB  
Article
Second-Generation Lignocellulosic Supportive Material Improves Atomic Ratios of C:O and H:O and Thermomechanical Behavior of Hybrid Non-Woody Pellets
by Bruno Rafael de Almeida Moreira, Ronaldo da Silva Viana, Victor Hugo Cruz, Anderson Chagas Magalhães, Celso Tadao Miasaki, Paulo Alexandre Monteiro de Figueiredo, Lucas Aparecido Manzani Lisboa, Sérgio Bispo Ramos, Douglas Enrique Juárez Sánchez, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto Teixeira Filho and André May
Molecules 2020, 25(18), 4219; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25184219 - 15 Sep 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1928
Abstract
Pellets refer to solid biofuels for heating and power. The pellet’s integrity is of great relevant to ensure safe and effective transportation and storage, and comfort to stakeholders. Several materials that are supportive, whether organic and inorganic, to pellets exist. However, no work [...] Read more.
Pellets refer to solid biofuels for heating and power. The pellet’s integrity is of great relevant to ensure safe and effective transportation and storage, and comfort to stakeholders. Several materials that are supportive, whether organic and inorganic, to pellets exist. However, no work in the literature is linking making hybrid non-wood pellets with addition of residual biomass from distillation of cellulosic bioethanol, and this requires further investigations. Figuring out how effective this challenging agro-industrial residue could be for reinforcing non-wood pellets is accordingly the scientific point of this study focusing on management of waste and valorization of biomass. The pilot-scale manufacturing of hybrid pellets consisted of systematically pressing sugarcane bagasse with the lignocellulosic reinforcement at the mass ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 on an automatic pelletizer machine at 200 MPa and 125 °C. Elemental contents of C and H, durability, and energy density all increased significantly from 50.05 to 53.50%, 5.95 to 7.80%, 95.90 to 99.55%, and 28.20 to 31.20 MJ kg−1, respectively, with blending the starting material with the reinforcement at 1:3. Preliminary evidence of residual biomass from distillation of second-generation bioethanol capable of highly improving molecular flammable/combustible properties, mechanical stability, and fuel power of composite non-wood pellets exist. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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19 pages, 4266 KiB  
Article
Boron-Doped Reduced Graphene Oxide with Tunable Bandgap and Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance
by Muhammad Junaid, M. H. Md Khir, Gunawan Witjaksono, Nelson Tansu, Mohamed Shuaib Mohamed Saheed, Pradeep Kumar, Zaka Ullah, Asfand Yar and Fahad Usman
Molecules 2020, 25(16), 3646; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25163646 - 11 Aug 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4016
Abstract
Graphene and its hybrids are being employed as potential materials in light-sensing devices due to their high optical and electronic properties. However, the absence of a bandgap in graphene limits the realization of devices with high performance. In this work, a boron-doped reduced [...] Read more.
Graphene and its hybrids are being employed as potential materials in light-sensing devices due to their high optical and electronic properties. However, the absence of a bandgap in graphene limits the realization of devices with high performance. In this work, a boron-doped reduced graphene oxide (B-rGO) is proposed to overcome the above problems. Boron doping enhances the conductivity of graphene oxide and creates several defect sites during the reduction process, which can play a vital role in achieving high-sensing performance of light-sensing devices. Initially, the B-rGO is synthesized using a modified microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and later analyzed using standard FESEM, FTIR, XPS, Raman, and XRD techniques. The content of boron in doped rGO was found to be 6.51 at.%. The B-rGO showed a tunable optical bandgap from 2.91 to 3.05 eV in the visible spectrum with an electrical conductivity of 0.816 S/cm. The optical constants obtained from UV-Vis absorption spectra suggested an enhanced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) response for B-rGO in the theoretical study, which was further verified by experimental investigations. The B-rGO with tunable bandgap and enhanced SPR could open up the solution for future high-performance optoelectronic and sensing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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13 pages, 17953 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Microwave Absorption Properties of Sulfur-Free Expanded Graphite/Fe3O4 Composites
by Jian Sun, Lijie Li, Rui Yu, Xianlong Ma, Shaohua Jin, Kun Chen, Shusen Chen, Xijuan Lv and Qinghai Shu
Molecules 2020, 25(13), 3044; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25133044 - 03 Jul 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2489
Abstract
In this study, sulfur-free expanded graphite (EG) was obtained by using flake graphite as the raw material, and EG/Fe3O4 composites with excellent microwave absorption properties were prepared by a facile one-pot co-precipitation method. The structure and properties of as-prepared EG/Fe [...] Read more.
In this study, sulfur-free expanded graphite (EG) was obtained by using flake graphite as the raw material, and EG/Fe3O4 composites with excellent microwave absorption properties were prepared by a facile one-pot co-precipitation method. The structure and properties of as-prepared EG/Fe3O4 were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), thermogravimetric (TG), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) characterizations. The Fe3O4 intercalated between the layers of expanded graphite forms a sandwich-like structure which is superparamagnetic and porous. When applied as a microwave absorber, the reflection loss (RL) of EG/Fe3O4 reaches −40.39 dB with a thickness of 3.0 mm (10 wt% loading), and the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB < −10 dB) with RL exceeding −10 dB is 4.76–17.66 GHz with the absorber thickness of 1.5–4.0 mm. Considering its non-toxicity, easy operation, low cost, suitability for large-scale industrial production, and excellent microwave absorbing performance, EG/Fe3O4 is expected to be a promising candidate for industrialized electromagnetic absorbing materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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23 pages, 7914 KiB  
Article
Magnetically Recoverable TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO Composite with Significantly Enhanced UV-Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity
by Reyhaneh Kaveh, Maryam Mokhtarifar, Mojtaba Bagherzadeh, Andrea Lucotti, Maria Vittoria Diamanti and MariaPia Pedeferri
Molecules 2020, 25(13), 2996; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25132996 - 30 Jun 2020
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3038
Abstract
In this paper, we report the preparation of a new composite (TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO) with a high photocatalytic efficiency. The properties of the composite were examined by different analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron [...] Read more.
In this paper, we report the preparation of a new composite (TiO2/SiO2/γ-Fe2O3/rGO) with a high photocatalytic efficiency. The properties of the composite were examined by different analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), photoluminescence (PL), UV-Visible light diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), and nitrogen gas physisorption (BET) studies. The photocatalytic efficiency of the proposed composite was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue under UV and visible light, and the results were compared with titanium dioxide (TiO2), where degradation increased from 30% to 84% and 4% to 66% under UV and visible light, respectively. The significant increase in photocatalytic activity may be explained by the higher adsorption of dye on the surface of the composite and the higher separation and transfer of charge carriers, which in turn promote active sites and photocatalytic efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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Review

Jump to: Research

32 pages, 7323 KiB  
Review
A Review on Graphene-Based Light Emitting Functional Devices
by Muhammad Junaid, M. H. Md Khir, Gunawan Witjaksono, Zaka Ullah, Nelson Tansu, Mohamed Shuaib Mohamed Saheed, Pradeep Kumar, Lee Hing Wah, Saeed Ahmed Magsi and Muhammad Aadil Siddiqui
Molecules 2020, 25(18), 4217; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules25184217 - 14 Sep 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4266
Abstract
In recent years, the field of nanophotonics has progressively developed. However, constant demand for the development of new light source still exists at the nanometric scale. Light emissions from graphene-based active materials can provide a leading platform for the development of two dimensional [...] Read more.
In recent years, the field of nanophotonics has progressively developed. However, constant demand for the development of new light source still exists at the nanometric scale. Light emissions from graphene-based active materials can provide a leading platform for the development of two dimensional (2-D), flexible, thin, and robust light-emitting sources. The exceptional structure of Dirac’s electrons in graphene, massless fermions, and the linear dispersion relationship with ultra-wideband plasmon and tunable surface polarities allows numerous applications in optoelectronics and plasmonics. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of recent developments in graphene-based light-emitting devices. Light emissions from graphene-based devices have been evaluated with different aspects, such as thermal emission, electroluminescence, and plasmons assisted emission. Theoretical investigations, along with experimental demonstration in the development of graphene-based light-emitting devices, have also been reviewed and discussed. Moreover, the graphene-based light-emitting devices are also addressed from the perspective of future applications, such as optical modulators, optical interconnects, and optical sensing. Finally, this review provides a comprehensive discussion on current technological issues and challenges related to the potential applications of emerging graphene-based light-emitting devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hybrid Materials for Advanced Applications)
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