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Gazzani F, Bellisario D, Fazi L, Balboni A, Licoccia S, Pavoni C, Cozza P, Lione R. Friction and wear behavior of a mechanical oscillating strip system used for interproximal enamel reduction: a quantitative and qualitative scanning electronic microscope evaluation. Angle Orthod 2024; 94:336-345. [PMID: 38417457 PMCID: PMC11050454 DOI: 10.2319/083023-590.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate wear and friction properties of oscillating strips in order to validate the importance of a standardized interproximal enamel reduction (IPR) sequence to preserve their efficiency and lifetime. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen complete oscillating IPR sequences were tested by means of tribological tests (Linear Reciprocating Tribometer, C.S.M. Instruments, Peseaux, Switzerland). Fifteen single 0.2-mm metallic strips underwent a long continuous cycle of 240 minutes. Strip surface roughness and waviness measurements were assessed by means of a contact probe surface profiler (TalySurf CLI 2000; Taylor Hobson, Leicester, UK) and TayMap software. Statistical analysis was performed with independent-samples t-test. Significance was at the P < .05 level. Scanning electronic microscopy analysis of strip surfaces was conducted with an FEI Quanta 200 (Hillsboro, Ore) in high vacuum at 30.00 kV. RESULTS Resin strips revealed a significant reduction in surface roughness (Ra, Rt, RDq) and a significant increase in waviness parameters (Wa, Wt). Rt and RDq values significantly decreased upon use of the metallic strips. Significantly higher values of Wa (+ 2.84 µm) and Wt (+0.1 µm) were observed only for the 0.2-mm metallic strips. Higher friction values were observed when the metallic strips were tested singularly rather than within the entire sequence. Lower Ra and Rt values were revealed when 0.2-mm metallic strips were tested up to 240 minutes. CONCLUSIONS The application of a standardized oscillating sequence allows for more efficient wear performance of the strips with a significant impact on their abrasive power and lifetime.
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Gazzani F, Bellisario D, Fazi L, Balboni A, Licoccia S, Pavoni C, Cozza P, Lione R. Effects of IPR by mechanical oscillating strips system on biological structures: a quantitative and qualitative evaluation. Prog Orthod 2023; 24:9. [PMID: 36907908 PMCID: PMC10008756 DOI: 10.1186/s40510-023-00460-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To evaluate by means of profilometric analysis and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) the effects on enamel surfaces of oscillating mechanical systems for interproximal enamel reduction (IPR). Fifteen complete (Group 1) oscillating IPR sequence and 15 single metallic strips (Group 2) for active IPR phase of 0.2 mm were selected and tested on 30 freshly extracted teeth by means of tribological tests with alternative dry-sliding motion (Linear Reciprocating Tribometer, C.S.M. Instruments, Peseaux, Switzerland). Enamel surface roughness and waviness measurements were assessed by contact probe surface profiler (TalySurf CLI 2000; Taylor Hobson, Leicester, UK) and a TayMap software for the 3D analysis. Statistical analysis was performed with independent samples t-test. Significance was established at the P < .05 level. SEM analysis of enamel surfaces was conducted with a FEI Quanta 200 (Hillsboro, USA) in high vacuum at 30.00 kV. Images were acquired at 30X, 100X, and 300X of magnification. RESULTS Teeth undergone Group 1 showed lower values of surface roughness (Ra - 0.34 µm, Rt - 1.55 µm) and significant increase of waviness parameters (Wa 0.25 µm, Wt 4.02 µm) when compared with those treated with Group 2. SEM evaluation showed smoothers and more regular surfaces when IPR was performed by complete IPR sequence. Single metallic strip determined more irregular surfaces characterized by extended grooves, alternated with enamel ridges and irregular fragments. CONCLUSION The adoption of a standardized oscillating IPR sequence determines more regular and harmonious enamel surfaces at the end of the procedure. An adequate polishing after IPR plays a crucial role to guarantee a good long-term prognosis and a good respect of biological structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Gazzani
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Denise Bellisario
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Fazi
- Department of Science and Chemical Technology, NAST Centre, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Balboni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Science and Chemical Technology, NAST Centre, University of Rome 'Tor Vergata', Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Pavoni
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Viale Oxford 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.,Department of Dentistry, UNSBC, Tirana, Albania
| | - Paola Cozza
- Department of Dentistry, UNSBC, Tirana, Albania.,Department of Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UniCamillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Lione
- Department of Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UniCamillus International Medical University, Rome, Italy
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Fazi L, Andreani C, D’Ottavi C, Duranti L, Morales P, Preziosi E, Prioriello A, Romanelli G, Scacco V, Senesi R, Licoccia S. Characterization of Conductive Carbon Nanotubes/Polymer Composites for Stretchable Sensors and Transducers. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28041764. [PMID: 36838750 PMCID: PMC9964495 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28041764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing interest in stretchable conductive composite materials, that can be versatile and suitable for wide-ranging application, has sparked a growing demand for studies of scalable fabrication techniques and specifically tailored geometries. Thanks to the combination of the conductivity and robustness of carbon nanotube (CNT) materials with the viscoelastic properties of polymer films, in particular their stretchability, "surface composites" made of a CNT on polymeric films are a promising way to obtain a low-cost, conductive, elastic, moldable, and patternable material. The use of polymers selected for specific applications, however, requires targeted studies to deeply understand the interface interactions between a CNT and the surface of such polymer films, and in particular the stability and durability of a CNT grafting onto the polymer itself. Here, we present an investigation of the interface properties for a selected group of polymer film substrates with different viscoelastic properties by means of a series of different and complementary experimental techniques. Specifically, we studied the interaction of a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) deposited on two couples of different polymeric substrates, each one chosen as representative of thermoplastic polymers (i.e., low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP)) and thermosetting elastomers (i.e., polyisoprene (PI) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)), respectively. Our results demonstrate that the characteristics of the interface significantly differ for the two classes of polymers with a deeper penetration (up to about 100 μm) into the polymer bulk for the thermosetting substrates. Consequently, the resistance per unit length varies in different ranges, from 1-10 kΩ/cm for typical thermoplastic composite devices (30 μm thick and 2 mm wide) to 0.5-3 MΩ/cm for typical thermosetting elastomer devices (150 μm thick and 2 mm wide). For these reasons, the composites show the different mechanical and electrical responses, therefore suggesting different areas of application of the devices based on such materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Fazi
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Carla Andreani
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Cadia D’Ottavi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Duranti
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Morales
- School of Neutron Spectroscopy SONS, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Preziosi
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Prioriello
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Romanelli
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valerio Scacco
- Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto Senesi
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Montero J, da Silva Freitas W, Mecheri B, Forchetta M, Galloni P, Licoccia S, D'Epifanio A. A Neutral‐pH Aqueous Redox Flow Battery Based on Sustainable Organic Electrolytes. ChemElectroChem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202201142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Montero
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Williane da Silva Freitas
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Mattia Forchetta
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Pierluca Galloni
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
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Montero J, da Silva Freitas W, Mecheri B, Forchetta M, Galloni P, Licoccia S, D'Epifanio A. A Neutral‐pH Aqueous Redox Flow Battery Based on Sustainable Organic Electrolytes. ChemElectroChem 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202201002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Montero
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Williane da Silva Freitas
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Mattia Forchetta
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Pierluca Galloni
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies University of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
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Montero J, Navalpotro P, D́Epifanio A, Mecheri B, Licoccia S, Carretero-González J. Redox-active coordination polymers as bifunctional electrolytes in slurry-based aqueous batteries at neutral pH. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2021.115442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Senesi R, Andreani C, Baglioni P, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Licoccia S, Marques MPM, Moretti G, Noce A, Paolesse R, Parker SF, Preziosi E, Romanelli G, Romani A, Di Daniele N. Looking for Minor Phenolic Compounds in Extra Virgin Olive Oils Using Neutron and Raman Spectroscopies. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10050643. [PMID: 33922163 PMCID: PMC8145310 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10050643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is defined as a functional food as it contains numerous phenolic components with well-recognized health-beneficial properties, such as high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. These characteristics depend on their structural/conformational behavior, which is largely determined by intra- and intermolecular H-bond interactions. While the vibrational dynamics of isolated compounds have been studied in a number of recent investigations, their signal in a real-life sample of EVOO is overwhelmed by the major constituent acids. Here, we provide a full characterization of the vibrational spectroscopic signal from commercially available EVOO samples using Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) and Raman spectroscopies. The spectra are dominated by CH2 vibrations, especially at about 750 cm−1 and 1300 cm−1. By comparison with the spectra from hydroxytyrosol and other minor phenolic compounds, we show that the best regions in which to look for the structure–activity information related to the minor polar compounds is at 675 and 1200 cm−1 for hydroxytyrosol, and around 450 cm−1 for all minor polar compounds used as reference, especially if a selectively deuterated sample is available. The regional origin of the EVOO samples investigated appears to be related to the different amount of phenolic esters versus acids as reflected by the relative intensities of the peaks at 1655 and 1747 cm−1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Senesi
- NAST Centre, Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca, Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (R.S.); (C.A.); (E.P.)
- CNR-IPCF Sezione di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres 37, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Carla Andreani
- NAST Centre, Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca, Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (R.S.); (C.A.); (E.P.)
| | - Piero Baglioni
- CSGI and Chemistry Department, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; (P.B.); (G.M.)
| | | | - Silvia Licoccia
- NAST Centre, Chemical Science and Technologies Department, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.P.)
| | - Maria P. M. Marques
- Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.P.M.M.); (G.R.)
| | - Giulia Moretti
- CSGI and Chemistry Department, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy; (P.B.); (G.M.)
| | - Annalisa Noce
- UOC of Internal Medicine-Center of Hypertension, Nephrology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.N.); (N.D.D.)
| | - Roberto Paolesse
- NAST Centre, Chemical Science and Technologies Department, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (S.L.); (R.P.)
| | - Stewart F. Parker
- ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, UK;
| | - Enrico Preziosi
- NAST Centre, Physics Department, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca, Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (R.S.); (C.A.); (E.P.)
| | - Giovanni Romanelli
- ISIS Facility, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX, UK;
- Correspondence: (M.P.M.M.); (G.R.)
| | - Annalisa Romani
- PHYTOLAB (Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, Food Supplement, Technology and Analysis)-DiSIA, University of Florence, Via U. Schiff, 6, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
| | - Nicola Di Daniele
- UOC of Internal Medicine-Center of Hypertension, Nephrology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, Università degli Studi di Roma “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (A.N.); (N.D.D.)
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Ficca VCA, Santoro C, D'Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Serov A, Atanassov P, Mecheri B. Effect of Active Site Poisoning on Iron−Nitrogen−Carbon Platinum‐Group‐Metal‐Free Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts Operating in Neutral Media: A Rotating Disk Electrode Study. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.202000754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio C. A. Ficca
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Analytical ScienceThe University of Manchester The Mill Sackville Street Manchester M13PAL UK
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Alexey Serov
- Pajarito Powder, LLC 3600 Osuna Rd NE Ste 309 Albuquerque, NM 87109 USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringNational Fuel Cell Research CenterUniversity of California Irvine CA 92697 USA
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor Vergata Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
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Jessica Sforzini, Antonini A, D’Ottavi C, Lega D, Lenzuni P, Licoccia S, Ciprioti SV, Ciccioli A. Thermodynamic Study of Barium Cerate (BaCeO3) by Knudsen Effusion Mass Spectrometry. RUSS J INORG CHEM+ 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s0036023620050204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Montero J, Arenas-Esteban D, Ávila-Brande D, Castillo-Martínez E, Licoccia S, Carretero-González J. Lithium ion storage in 1D and 2D redox active metal-organic frameworks. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2020.136063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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de Oliveira MAC, Ficca VCA, Gokhale R, Santoro C, Mecheri B, D’Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Atanassov P. Iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) over carbon support for oxygen reduction reaction electrocatalysts operating in alkaline electrolyte. J Solid State Electrochem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-020-04537-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Chen F, D'Epifanio A, Mecheri B, Traversa E, Licoccia S. Nafion/Tin Oxide Composite Membranes for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1149/1.3210749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Raggio M, Mecheri B, Nardis S, D'Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Paolesse R. Metallo-Corroles Supported on Carbon Nanostructures as Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts in Neutral Media. Eur J Inorg Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201900967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Raggio
- Dept. of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Dept. of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Sara Nardis
- Dept. of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Dept. of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Dept. of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Roberto Paolesse
- Dept. of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
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Gigli M, Kowalski JA, Neyhouse BJ, D'Epifanio A, Brushett FR, Licoccia S. Investigating the factors that influence resistance rise of PIM-1 membranes in nonaqueous electrolytes. Electrochem commun 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.elecom.2019.106530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Gigli M, Quartinello F, Soccio M, Pellis A, Lotti N, Guebitz GM, Licoccia S, Munari A. Enzymatic hydrolysis of poly(1,4-butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PBTF) and poly(1,4-butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) films: A comparison of mechanisms. Environ Int 2019; 130:104852. [PMID: 31195223 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Enzymatic hydrolysis of poly(1,4-butylene 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PBTF) and poly(1,4-butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) (PBF) by Humicola insolens (HiC) and Thermobifida cellulosilytica (Cut) cutinases is investigated. For the first time, the different depolymerization mechanisms of PBTF (endo-wise scission) and PBF (exo-wise cleavage) has been unveiled and correlated to the chemical structure of the two polyesters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Gigli
- University of Roma Tor Vergata, Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Felice Quartinello
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Michelina Soccio
- University of Bologna, Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Pellis
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria; University of York, Department of Chemistry, Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, YO10 5DD Heslington, York, UK.
| | - Nadia Lotti
- University of Bologna, Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Georg M Guebitz
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Department of Agrobiotechnology, Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria; Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Konrad Lorenz Strasse 20, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- University of Roma Tor Vergata, Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Andrea Munari
- University of Bologna, Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, Via Terracini 28, 40131 Bologna, Italy
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Campana PT, Marletta A, Piovesan E, Francisco KJM, Neto FVR, Petrini L, Silva TR, Machado D, Basoli F, Oliveira ON, Licoccia S, Traversa E. Pulsatile Discharge from Polymeric Scaffolds: A Novel Method for Modulated Drug Release. BCSJ 2019. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20180403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia T. Campana
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo (USP), Arlindo Bettio Av., 1000, São Paulo, 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Marletta
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), João Naves de Ávila Av., 2121, Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil
| | - Erick Piovesan
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), João Naves de Ávila Av., 2121, Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil
| | - Kelliton J. M. Francisco
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo (USP), Arlindo Bettio Av., 1000, São Paulo, 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Francisco V. R. Neto
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), João Naves de Ávila Av., 2121, Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil
| | - Leandro Petrini
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo (USP), Arlindo Bettio Av., 1000, São Paulo, 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Thiago R. Silva
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo (USP), Arlindo Bettio Av., 1000, São Paulo, 03828-000, Brazil
| | - Danilo Machado
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), João Naves de Ávila Av., 2121, Uberlândia 38408-100, Brazil
| | - Francesco Basoli
- Department of Engineering, University of Rome “Campus Bio-Medico di Roma”, Alvaro del Portillo St., 21, Rome 00128, Italy
| | - Osvaldo N. Oliveira
- Sao Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo (USP), CP 369, 13560-970, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via della Ricerca Scientifica St. Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Enrico Traversa
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 2006 Xiyuan Road, Chengdu 611731, Sichuan, P. R. China
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18
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Mecheri B, Gokhale R, Santoro C, Costa de Oliveira MA, D’Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Serov A, Artyushkova K, Atanassov P. Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalysts Derived from Iron Salt and Benzimidazole and Aminobenzimidazole Precursors and Their Application in Microbial Fuel Cell Cathodes. ACS Appl Energy Mater 2018; 1:5755-5765. [PMID: 30406217 PMCID: PMC6199672 DOI: 10.1021/acsaem.8b01360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
In this work, benzimidazole (BZIM) and aminobenzimidazole (ABZIM) were used as organic-rich in nitrogen precursors during the synthesis of iron-nitrogen-carbon (Fe-N-C) based catalysts by sacrificial support method (SSM) technique. The catalysts obtained, denoted Fe-ABZIM and Fe-BZIM, were characterized morphologically and chemically through SEM, TEM, and XPS. Moreover, these catalysts were initially tested in rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) configuration, resulting in similar high electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) having low hydrogen peroxide generated (<3%). The ORR performance was significantly higher compared to activated carbon (AC) that was the control. The catalysts were then integrated into air-breathing (AB) and gas diffusion layer (GDL) cathode electrode and tested in operating microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The presence of Fe-N-C catalysts boosted the power output compared to AC cathode MFC. The AB-type cathode outperformed the GDL type cathode probably because of reduced catalyst layer flooding. The highest performance obtained in this work was 162 ± 3 μWcm-2. Fe-ABZIM and Fe-BZIM had similar performance when incorporated to the same type of cathode configuration. Long-term operations show a decrease up to 50% of the performance in two months operations. Despite the power output decrease, the Fe-BZIM/Fe-ABZIM catalysts gave a significant advantage in fuel cell performance compared to the bare AC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mecheri
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
- E-mail: . Phone: +39 06 7259 4488
| | - Rohan Gokhale
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Carlo Santoro
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
- E-mail: . Phone: +1 505 277 2640
| | - Maida Aysla Costa de Oliveira
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra D’Epifanio
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, University
of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Kateryna Artyushkova
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Micro-Engineered
Materials (CMEM), Advanced Materials Lab, University of New Mexico, 1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
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19
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Caputo F, Giovanetti A, Corsi F, Maresca V, Briganti S, Licoccia S, Traversa E, Ghibelli L. Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Re-establish Cell Integrity Checkpoints and Apoptosis Competence in Irradiated HaCat Cells via Novel Redox-Independent Activity. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1183. [PMID: 30459604 PMCID: PMC6232693 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) are potent radical scavengers protecting cells from oxidative insults, including ionizing radiation. Here we show that CNPs prevent X-ray-induced oxidative imbalance reducing DNA breaks on HaCat keratinocytes, nearly abating mutagenesis. At the same time, and in spite of the reduced damage, CNPs strengthen radiation-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis outcome, dropping colony formation; notably, CNPs do not possess any intrinsic toxicity toward non-irradiated HaCat, indicating that they act on damaged cells. Thus CNPs, while exerting their antioxidant action, also reinforce the stringency of damage-induced cell integrity checkpoints, promoting elimination of the “tolerant” cells, being in fact radio-sensitizers. These two contrasting pathways are mediated by different activities of CNPs: indeed Sm-doped CNPs, which lack the Ce3+/Ce4+ redox switch and the correlated antioxidant action, fail to decrease radiation-induced superoxide formation, as expected, but surprisingly maintain the radio-sensitizing ability and the dramatic decrease of mutagenesis. The latter is thus attributable to elimination of damaged cells rather than decreased oxidative damage. This highlights a novel redox-independent activity of CNPs, allowing selectively eliminating heavily damaged cells through non-toxic mechanisms, rather reactivating endogenous anticancer pathways in transformed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Caputo
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Corsi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Traversa
- School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lina Ghibelli
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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20
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Condo' R, Pazzini L, Cerroni L, Pasquantonio G, Lagana' G, Pecora A, Mussi V, Rinaldi A, Mecheri B, Licoccia S, Maiolo L. Mechanical properties of "two generations" of teeth aligners: Change analysis during oral permanence. Dent Mater J 2018; 37:835-842. [PMID: 29998941 DOI: 10.4012/dmj.2017-323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Aim of this in vitro study was to analyze structural properties of two different polymeric orthodontic aligners, Exceed30 (EX30) and Smart Track (LD30), before and after use. Forty patterns of aligners were randomly selected: 20 LD30 and 20 EX30, worn intra-orally for 14±3 days, 22 h/day. From each aligner, 10 specimens were prepared from buccal surfaces of the incisor region by the cutting of samples 5×5 mm under a stereomicroscope. All samples were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, tensile and indentation strength test. LD30 appeared more homogeneous, with a crystalline fraction lower than EX30 and exhibited a higher elastic behavior and a lower tendency to warp after use than EX30. LD30 demonstrated better adaptability to the dental arch and greater consistency of application of orthodontic forces than produced with EX30. However, both materials showed structural modifications that resulted in increased sample hardness and hyper-plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Condo'
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier
| | - Luca Pazzini
- Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems -National Research Council (IMM-CNR) Via del Fosso del Cavaliere
| | - Loredana Cerroni
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier
| | - Guido Pasquantonio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier
| | - Giuseppina Lagana'
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier
| | - Alessandro Pecora
- Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems -National Research Council (IMM-CNR) Via del Fosso del Cavaliere
| | - Valentina Mussi
- Institute of Complex Systems -National Research Council (ISC-CNR) Via del Fosso del Cavaliere
| | - Antonio Rinaldi
- ENEA -Technical Unit for Material Technologies (UTTMAT) Casaccia Research Center, Via Anguillarese
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata"
| | - Luca Maiolo
- Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems -National Research Council (IMM-CNR) Via del Fosso del Cavaliere
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21
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Rainer A, Centola M, Spadaccio C, Gherardi G, Genovese JA, Licoccia S, Trombetta M. Comparative Study of Different Techniques for the Sterilization of Poly-L-lactide Electrospun Microfibers: Effectiveness vs. Material Degradation. Int J Artif Organs 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/039139881003300203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Electrospinning of biopolymeric scaffolds is a new and effective approach for creating replacement tissues to repair defects and/or damaged tissues with direct clinical application. However, many hurdles and technical concerns regarding biological issues, such as cell retention and the ability to grow, still need to be overcome to gain full access to the clinical arena. Interaction with the host human tissues, immunogenicity, pathogen transmission as well as production costs, technical expertise, and good manufacturing and laboratory practice requirements call for careful consideration when aiming at the production of a material that is available off-the-shelf, to be used immediately in operative settings. The issue of sterilization is one of the most important steps for the clinical application of these scaffolds. Nevertheless, relatively few studies have been performed to systematically investigate how sterilization treatments may affect the properties of electrospun polymers for tissue engineering. This paper presents the results of a comparative study of different sterilization techniques applied to an electrospun poly-L-lactide scaffold: soaking in absolute ethanol, dry oven and autoclave treatments, UV irradiation, and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma treatment. Morphological and chemical characterization was coupled with microbiological sterility assay to validate the examined sterilization techniques in terms of effectiveness and modifications to the scaffold. The results of this study reveal that UV irradiation and hydrogen peroxide gas plasma are the most effective sterilization techniques, as they ensure sterility of the electrospun scaffolds without affecting their chemical and morphological features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Rainer
- Center of Integrated Research (CIR) – Laboratory of Chemistry & Biomaterials, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome
| | - Matteo Centola
- Center of Integrated Research (CIR) – Laboratory of Chemistry & Biomaterials, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome
| | - Cristiano Spadaccio
- CIR - Area of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome
| | - Giovanni Gherardi
- CIR - Laboratory of Microbiology, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome
| | - Jorge A. Genovese
- CIR - Area of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome
- NAST Center for Nanoscience, Nanotechnology & Innovative Instrumentation, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome - Italy
| | - Marcella Trombetta
- Center of Integrated Research (CIR) – Laboratory of Chemistry & Biomaterials, University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Rome
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22
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Santoro C, Gokhale R, Mecheri B, D'Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Serov A, Artyushkova K, Atanassov P. Design of Iron(II) Phthalocyanine-Derived Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts for High-Power-Density Microbial Fuel Cells. ChemSusChem 2017; 10:3243-3251. [PMID: 28643863 PMCID: PMC5697675 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201700851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Iron(II) phthalocyanine (FePc) deposited onto two different carbonaceous supports was synthesized through an unconventional pyrolysis-free method. The obtained materials were studied in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media through incorporation in an air-breathing cathode structure and tested in an operating microbial fuel cell (MFC) configuration. Rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) analysis revealed high performances of the Fe-based catalysts compared with that of activated carbon (AC). The FePc supported on Black-Pearl carbon black [Fe-BP(N)] exhibits the highest performance in terms of its more positive onset potential, positive shift of the half-wave potential, and higher limiting current as well as the highest power density in the operating MFC of (243±7) μW cm-2 , which was 33 % higher than that of FePc supported on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (Fe-CNT(N); 182±5 μW cm-2 ). The power density generated by Fe-BP(N) was 92 % higher than that of the MFC utilizing AC; therefore, the utilization of platinum group metal-free catalysts can boost the performances of MFCs significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Santoro
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Rohan Gokhale
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and TechnologiesUniversity of Rome Tor VergataVia della Ricerca Scientifica00133RomeItaly
| | - Alexey Serov
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Kateryna Artyushkova
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
| | - Plamen Atanassov
- Department of Chemical and Biological EngineeringCenter for Micro-Engineered Materials, CMEMUniversity of New MexicoAdvanced Materials Lab1001 University Blvd. SE Suite 103, MSC 04 2790AlbuquerqueNM87131USA
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23
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Caputo F, Mameli M, Sienkiewicz A, Licoccia S, Stellacci F, Ghibelli L, Traversa E. A novel synthetic approach of cerium oxide nanoparticles with improved biomedical activity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:4636. [PMID: 28680107 PMCID: PMC5498533 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04098-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) are novel synthetic antioxidant agents proposed for treating oxidative stress-related diseases. The synthesis of high-quality CNPs for biomedical applications remains a challenging task. A major concern for a safe use of CNPs as pharmacological agents is their tendency to agglomerate. Herein we present a simple direct precipitation approach, exploiting ethylene glycol as synthesis co-factor, to synthesize at room temperature nanocrystalline sub-10 nm CNPs, followed by a surface silanization approach to improve nanoparticle dispersibility in biological fluids. CNPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements. CNP redox activity was studied in abiotic systems using electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements, and in vitro on human cell models. In-situ silanization improved CNP colloidal stability, in comparison with non-functionalized particles, and allowed at the same time improving their original biological activity, yielding thus functionalized CNPs suitable for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Caputo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133, Roma, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Marta Mameli
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Andrzej Sienkiewicz
- Institute of Physics, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Francesco Stellacci
- Institute of Materials, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lina Ghibelli
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Enrico Traversa
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133, Roma, Italy.
- International Research Center for Renewable Energy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 710049, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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24
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Tian KV, Festa G, Basoli F, Laganà G, Scherillo A, Andreani C, Bollero P, Licoccia S, Senesi R, Cozza P. Orthodontic archwire composition and phase analyses by neutron spectroscopy. Dent Mater J 2017; 36:282-288. [PMID: 28228627 DOI: 10.4012/dmj.2016-206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative metallurgical and phase analyses employing neutron diffraction technique were conducted on two as-received commercial rectangular austenitic stainless steel orthodontic archwires, G&H and Azdent, 0.43×0.64 mm (0.017×0.025 inch). Results showed a bi-phase structure containing martensitic phase (45.67% for G&H and 6.62% for Azdent) in addition to the expected metastable austenite. The former may be a strain-induced phase-transformation arising during the cold working process of wire fabrication. Further neutron resonance capture analysis determinations provided atomic and isotopic compositions, including alloying elements in each sample, complementary to the results of traditional energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Together, these results assist in relating commercial alloying recipes and processing histories with mechanical performance, strength and ductility in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun V Tian
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Global Institute of Computational Molecular and Materials Science
| | - Giulia Festa
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Enrico Fermi Historic Museum of Physics and Research Center.,CNR-IC Institute of Crystallography
| | | | - Giuseppina Laganà
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata
| | - Antonella Scherillo
- Science and Technology Facility Council, ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source
| | - Carla Andreani
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Enrico Fermi Historic Museum of Physics and Research Center.,CNR-IPCF Institute for the Chemical and Physical Processes
| | - Patrizio Bollero
- The Unit of Oral Pathology, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata
| | - Roberto Senesi
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Enrico Fermi Historic Museum of Physics and Research Center.,CNR-IPCF Institute for the Chemical and Physical Processes
| | - Paola Cozza
- NAST Centre, University of Rome Tor Vergata.,Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata
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25
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Nguyen MT, Mecheri B, Iannaci A, D’Epifanio A, Licoccia S. Iron/Polyindole-based Electrocatalysts to Enhance Oxygen Reduction in Microbial Fuel Cells. Electrochim Acta 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2015.12.105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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26
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Mecheri B, De Porcellinis D, Campana PT, Rainer A, Trombetta M, Marletta A, Oliveira ON, Licoccia S. Tuning Structural Changes in Glucose Oxidase for Enzyme Fuel Cell Applications. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2015; 7:28311-28318. [PMID: 26641699 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b08610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Stabilization and electrical contacting of redox enzymes with electrodes are fundamental requirements for bioelectronics devices, including biosensors and enzyme fuel cells (EFCs). In this study, we show increased glucose oxidase (GOx) stability by immobilization with Nafion. The immobilization process affected GOx conformation but was not detrimental to its activity, which was maintained for more than 120 days. The GOx/Nafion system was interfaced to a carbon cloth electrode and assembled in a prototypal EFC fed with glucose. Polarization and power density curves demonstrated that GOx/Nafion system was able to generate power, exploiting a Nafion-assisted electron transfer process to the electrode. Our findings are consistent with the onset of pH-dependent conformational equilibrium for the enzyme secondary structure and its active site. Significantly, the protective effect exerted by Nafion on the enzyme structure may be tuned by varying parameters such as the pH to fabricate durable EFCs with good electrocatalytic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Diana De Porcellinis
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Patricia T Campana
- School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, University of São Paulo , Av. Arlindo Bettio, 1000, São Paulo CEP 03828-000, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alberto Rainer
- Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma , Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Trombetta
- Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma , Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Alexandre Marletta
- Institute of Physics, Federal University of Uberlândia , Avenida João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Uberlândia, CEP 38408-100, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Osvaldo N Oliveira
- São Carlos Institute of Physics, University of São Paulo , CP 369, São Carlos 13560-970, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, University of Rome "Tor Vergata" , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
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27
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Caputo F, De Nicola M, Sienkiewicz A, Giovanetti A, Bejarano I, Licoccia S, Traversa E, Ghibelli L. Cerium oxide nanoparticles, combining antioxidant and UV shielding properties, prevent UV-induced cell damage and mutagenesis. Nanoscale 2015; 7:15643-56. [PMID: 26349675 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr03767k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Efficient inorganic UV shields, mostly based on refracting TiO2 particles, have dramatically changed the sun exposure habits. Unfortunately, health concerns have emerged from the pro-oxidant photocatalytic effect of UV-irradiated TiO2, which mediates toxic effects on cells. Therefore, improvements in cosmetic solar shield technology are a strong priority. CeO2 nanoparticles are not only UV refractors but also potent biological antioxidants due to the surface 3+/4+ valency switch, which confers anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing and therapeutic properties. Herein, UV irradiation protocols were set up, allowing selective study of the extra-shielding effects of CeO2vs. TiO2 nanoparticles on reporter cells. TiO2 irradiated with UV (especially UVA) exerted strong photocatalytic effects, superimposing their pro-oxidant, cell-damaging and mutagenic action when induced by UV, thereby worsening the UV toxicity. On the contrary, irradiated CeO2 nanoparticles, via their Ce(3+)/Ce(4+) redox couple, exerted impressive protection on UV-treated cells, by buffering oxidation, preserving viability and proliferation, reducing DNA damage and accelerating repair; strikingly, they almost eliminated mutagenesis, thus acting as an important tool to prevent skin cancer. Interestingly, CeO2 nanoparticles also protect cells from the damage induced by irradiated TiO2, suggesting that these two particles may also complement their effects in solar lotions. CeO2 nanoparticles, which intrinsically couple UV shielding with biological and genetic protection, appear to be ideal candidates for next-generation sun shields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanny Caputo
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy.
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28
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Mecheri B, Iannaci A, D'Epifanio A, Mauri A, Licoccia S. Carbon-Supported Zirconium Oxide as a Cathode for Microbial Fuel Cell Applications. Chempluschem 2015; 81:80-85. [DOI: 10.1002/cplu.201500347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mecheri
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Alessandro Iannaci
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Arianna Mauri
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Via della Ricerca Scientifica 00133 Rome Italy
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29
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Giannitelli S, Basoli F, Mozetic P, Piva P, Bartuli F, Luciani F, Arcuri C, Trombetta M, Rainer A, Licoccia S. Graded porous polyurethane foam: A potential scaffold for oro-maxillary bone regeneration. Materials Science and Engineering: C 2015; 51:329-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Revised: 02/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Yang N, Cantoni C, Foglietti V, Tebano A, Belianinov A, Strelcov E, Jesse S, Di Castro D, Di Bartolomeo E, Licoccia S, Kalinin SV, Balestrino G, Aruta C. Defective interfaces in yttrium-doped barium zirconate films and consequences on proton conduction. Nano Lett 2015; 15:2343-2349. [PMID: 25789878 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b00698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Yttrium-doped barium zirconate (BZY) thin films recently showed surprising electric transport properties. Experimental investigations conducted mainly by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy suggested that a consistent part of this BZY conductivity is of protonic nature. These results have stimulated further investigations by local unconventional techniques. Here, we use electrochemical strain microscopy (ESM) to detect electrochemical activity in BZY films with nanoscale resolution. ESM in a novel cross-sectional measuring setup allows the direct visualization of the interfacial activity. The local electrochemical investigation is compared with the structural studies performed by state of art scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The ESM and STEM results show a clear correlation between the conductivity and the interface structural defects. We propose a physical model based on a misfit dislocation network that introduces a novel 2D transport phenomenon, whose fingerprint is the low activation energy measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yang
- †National Research Council CNR-SPIN, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ‡NAST Center, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- §Engineering Faculty, Università degli studi Niccolò Cusano, Rome I-00166, Italy
| | - Claudia Cantoni
- ∥Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Vittorio Foglietti
- †National Research Council CNR-SPIN, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ⊥Department DICII, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome I-00133, Italy
| | - Antonello Tebano
- †National Research Council CNR-SPIN, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ‡NAST Center, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ⊥Department DICII, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome I-00133, Italy
| | - Alex Belianinov
- ∇Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Evgheni Strelcov
- ∇Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Stephen Jesse
- ∇Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Daniele Di Castro
- †National Research Council CNR-SPIN, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ⊥Department DICII, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome I-00133, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Di Bartolomeo
- ‡NAST Center, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ¶Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- ‡NAST Center, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ¶Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Sergei V Kalinin
- ∇Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Giuseppe Balestrino
- †National Research Council CNR-SPIN, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ⊥Department DICII, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome I-00133, Italy
| | - Carmela Aruta
- †National Research Council CNR-SPIN, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ‡NAST Center, University of Roma "Tor Vergata", Rome I-00133, Italy
- ⊥Department DICII, University of Roma Tor Vergata, Rome I-00133, Italy
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Di Giacomo F, Zardetto V, D'Epifanio A, Pescetelli S, Matteocci F, Razza S, Di Carlo A, Licoccia S, Kessels WMM, Creatore M, Brown TM. Flexible Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules and Solar Cells Based on Atomic Layer Deposited Compact Layers and UV-Irradiated TiO 2Scaffolds on Plastic Substrates. Adv Energy Mater 2015; 5:1401808. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1002/aenm.201401808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Di Giacomo
- Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE); Department of Electronic Engineering; University of Rome - Tor Vergata; via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Valerio Zardetto
- Department of Applied Physics; Eindhoven University of Technology; P. O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Solar Research Solliance; High Tech Campus 21 5656 AE Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” Via della Ricerca Scientifica; 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Sara Pescetelli
- Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE); Department of Electronic Engineering; University of Rome - Tor Vergata; via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Fabio Matteocci
- Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE); Department of Electronic Engineering; University of Rome - Tor Vergata; via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Stefano Razza
- Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE); Department of Electronic Engineering; University of Rome - Tor Vergata; via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Aldo Di Carlo
- Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE); Department of Electronic Engineering; University of Rome - Tor Vergata; via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technologies; University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” Via della Ricerca Scientifica; 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Wilhelmus M. M. Kessels
- Department of Applied Physics; Eindhoven University of Technology; P. O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Solar Research Solliance; High Tech Campus 21 5656 AE Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Mariadriana Creatore
- Department of Applied Physics; Eindhoven University of Technology; P. O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands
- Solar Research Solliance; High Tech Campus 21 5656 AE Eindhoven The Netherlands
| | - Thomas M. Brown
- Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy (CHOSE); Department of Electronic Engineering; University of Rome - Tor Vergata; via del Politecnico 1 00133 Rome Italy
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Abstract
Graphene plays as protagonist among the newly discovered carbon nanomaterials on the laboratory bench. Confinement of graphene, combined with enhanced exchange properties within aqueous environment, is key for the development of biosensors, biomedicine devices, and water remediation applications. Such confinement is possible using hydrogels as soft matrixes. Many entrapment methods focused on the modification of the graphene structure. In this paper, however, we address a confinement method that leaves unchanged the graphene structure, although intimately participating in the buildup of a network of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) chains. PVA is a polymer known as biomaterial for its hydrophilicity, biocompatibility, and chemical versatility. A robust hybrid PVA-graphene construct was obtained starting from a surfactant-assisted sonication of an aqueous dispersion of graphite. Stable graphene sheets suspension was photopolymerized in a methacryloyl-grafted PVA, using the vinyl moiety present on the surfactant scaffold. This method can allow the incorporation in the polymer network of oligomers of N-(isopropylacrylammide), p(NiPAAm). These chains display in aqueous solution a low critical solution temperature, LCST, around 33 °C and trigger a volume phase transition when incorporated in a hydrophilic network around the physiological temperature. Raman analysis was used to characterize the state of hydrogel embedded graphene single sheets. Evidence for an intimate interaction of graphene sheets and polymer matrix was collected. Release of the anticancer drug doxorubicin showed the active role of the graphene/PVA/p(NiPAAm) construct in the drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosra Toumia
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata , Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133 Rome, Italy
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de Bonis C, Cozzi D, Mecheri B, D'Epifanio A, Rainer A, De Porcellinis D, Licoccia S. Effect of filler surface functionalization on the performance of Nafion/Titanium oxide composite membranes. Electrochim Acta 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2014.09.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Matteocci F, Razza S, Di Giacomo F, Casaluci S, Mincuzzi G, Brown TM, D'Epifanio A, Licoccia S, Di Carlo A. Solid-state solar modules based on mesoscopic organometal halide perovskite: a route towards the up-scaling process. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2014; 16:3918-23. [PMID: 24452004 DOI: 10.1039/c3cp55313b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We fabricated the first solid state modules based on organometal halide perovskite CH3NH3PbI3-xClx using Spiro-OMeTAD and poly(3-hexylthiophene) as hole transport materials. Device up-scaling was performed using innovative procedures to realize large-area cells and the integrated series-interconnections. The perovskite-based modules show a maximum conversion efficiency of 5.1% using both poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Spiro-OMeTAD. A long-term stability test was performed (in air, under AM1.5G, 1 Sun illumination conditions) using both materials showing different behaviour under continuous light stress. Whilst the poly(3-hexylthiophene)-based module efficiency drops by about 80% with respect to the initial value after 170 hours, the Spiro-based module shows a promising long-term stability maintaining more than 60% of its initial efficiency after 335 hours.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Matteocci
- C.H.O.S.E. (Centre for Hybrid and Organic Solar Energy), Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", via del Politecnico 1, Rome, 00133, Italy.
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35
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Nardis S, Cicero DO, Licoccia S, Pomarico G, Berionni Berna B, Sette M, Ricciardi G, Rosa A, Fronczek FR, Smith KM, Paolesse R. Phenyl derivative of iron 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole. Inorg Chem 2014; 53:4215-27. [PMID: 24697623 PMCID: PMC4002138 DOI: 10.1021/ic5003572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The phenyl-iron complex of 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole was prepared by reaction of the starting chloro-iron complex with phenylmagnesium bromide in dichloromethane. The organometallic complex was fully characterized by a combination of spectroscopic methods, X-ray crystallography, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. All of these techniques support the description of the electronic structure of this phenyl-iron derivative as a low-spin iron(IV) coordinated to a closed-shell corrolate trianion and to a phenyl monoanion. Complete assignments of the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the phenyl-iron derivative and the starting chloro-iron complex were performed on the basis of the NMR spectra of the regioselectively β-substituted bromo derivatives and the DFT calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nardis
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, Università
di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Daniel O. Cicero
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, Università
di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, Università
di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pomarico
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, Università
di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Beatrice Berionni Berna
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, Università
di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | - Marco Sette
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, Università
di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
| | | | - Angela Rosa
- Dipartimento di
Scienze, Università della Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Frank R. Fronczek
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton
Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
| | - Kevin M. Smith
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton
Rouge, Louisiana 70803, United States
| | - Roberto Paolesse
- Department
of Chemical Science and Technologies, Università
di Roma Tor Vergata, 00133 Roma, Italy
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Seyedmahmoud R, Mozetic P, Rainer A, Giannitelli SM, Basoli F, Trombetta M, Traversa E, Licoccia S, Rinaldi A. A primer of statistical methods for correlating parameters and properties of electrospun poly(l-lactide) scaffolds for tissue engineering-PART 2: Regression. J Biomed Mater Res A 2014; 103:103-14. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rasoul Seyedmahmoud
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
| | - Pamela Mozetic
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory, CIR-Center of Integrated Research, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Alberto Rainer
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory, CIR-Center of Integrated Research, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Sara Maria Giannitelli
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory, CIR-Center of Integrated Research, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Francesco Basoli
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
| | - Marcella Trombetta
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory, CIR-Center of Integrated Research, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma; Rome Italy
| | - Enrico Traversa
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST); Thuwal 23955-6900 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
| | - Antonio Rinaldi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Rome Italy
- ENEA,CR Casaccia; Via Anguillarese 301, Santa Maria di Galeria Rome Italy
- International Research Center for Mathematics & Mechanics of Complex Systems, University of L'Aquila; Via S. Pasquale, Cisterna di Latina (LT) Italy
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37
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Seyedmahmoud R, Rainer A, Mozetic P, Maria Giannitelli S, Trombetta M, Traversa E, Licoccia S, Rinaldi A. A primer of statistical methods for correlating parameters and properties of electrospun poly(l-lactide) scaffolds for tissue engineering-PART 1: Design of experiments. J Biomed Mater Res A 2014; 103:91-102. [DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2013] [Revised: 01/28/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rasoul Seyedmahmoud
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Alberto Rainer
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory; CIR-Center of Integrated Research, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma; 00128 Rome Italy
| | - Pamela Mozetic
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory; CIR-Center of Integrated Research, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma; 00128 Rome Italy
| | - Sara Maria Giannitelli
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory; CIR-Center of Integrated Research, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma; 00128 Rome Italy
| | - Marcella Trombetta
- Tissue Engineering Laboratory; CIR-Center of Integrated Research, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma; 00128 Rome Italy
| | - Enrico Traversa
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; 00133 Rome Italy
- Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST); Thuwal 23955-6900 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; 00133 Rome Italy
| | - Antonio Rinaldi
- Department of Chemical Science and Technology and NAST Center; University of Rome Tor Vergata; 00133 Rome Italy
- ENEA, CR Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301; Santa Maria di Galeria, 00123 Rome Italy
- International Research Center for Mathematics & Mechanics of Complex Systems, University of L'Aquila; Via S. Pasquale, 04012 Cisterna di Latina (LT) Italy
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38
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Yang N, Doria S, Kumar A, Jang JH, Arruda TM, Tebano A, Jesse S, Ivanov IN, Baddorf AP, Strelcov E, Licoccia S, Borisevich AY, Balestrino G, Kalinin SV. Water-mediated electrochemical nano-writing on thin ceria films. Nanotechnology 2014; 25:075701. [PMID: 24451184 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/7/075701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Bias dependent mechanisms of irreversible cathodic and anodic processes on a pure CeO2 film are studied using modified atomic force microscopy (AFM). For a moderate positive bias applied to the AFM tip an irreversible electrochemical reduction reaction is found, associated with significant local volume expansion. By changing the experimental conditions we are able to deduce the possible role of water in this process. Simultaneous detection of tip height and current allows the onset of conductivity and the electrochemical charge transfer process to be separated, further elucidating the reaction mechanism. The standard anodic/cathodic behavior is recovered in the high bias regime, where a sizable transport current flows between the tip and the film. These studies give insight into the mechanisms of the tip-induced electrochemical reactions as mediated by electronic currents, and into the role of water in these processes, as well as providing a different approach for electrochemical nano-writing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yang
- NAST Center, University of Roma 'Tor Vergata', Rome, I-00133, Italy. CNR-SPIN and Department DICII, University of Roma 'Tor Vergata', Rome, I-00133, Italy
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39
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Sciarria TP, Tenca A, D'Epifanio A, Mecheri B, Merlino G, Barbato M, Borin S, Licoccia S, Garavaglia V, Adani F. Using olive mill wastewater to improve performance in producing electricity from domestic wastewater by using single-chamber microbial fuel cell. Bioresour Technol 2013; 147:246-253. [PMID: 23999258 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Revised: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Improving electricity generation from wastewater (DW) by using olive mill wastewater (OMW) was evaluated using single-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFC). Doing so single-chambers air cathode MFCs with platinum anode were fed with domestic wastewater (DW) alone and mixed with OMW at the ratio of 14:1 (w/w). MFCs fed with DW+OMW gave 0.38 V at 1 kΩ, while power density from polarization curve was of 124.6 mW m(-2). The process allowed a total reduction of TCOD and BOD5 of 60% and 69%, respectively, recovering the 29% of the coulombic efficiency. The maximum voltage obtained from MFC fed with DW+OMW was 2.9 times higher than that of cell fed with DW. DNA-fingerprinting showed high bacterial diversity for both experiments and the presence on anodes of exoelectrogenic bacteria, such as Geobacter spp. Electrodes selected peculiar consortia and, in particular, anodes of both experiments showed a similar specialization of microbial communities independently by feeding used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Pepè Sciarria
- RICICLA GROUP, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali: Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy; NAST Centre & Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Tenca
- RICICLA GROUP, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali: Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra D'Epifanio
- NAST Centre & Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Barbara Mecheri
- NAST Centre & Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Merlino
- Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DEFENS), University of Milan, Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Barbato
- Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DEFENS), University of Milan, Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Borin
- Department of Food Environmental and Nutritional Sciences (DEFENS), University of Milan, Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- NAST Centre & Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Virgilio Garavaglia
- RICICLA GROUP, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali: Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Adani
- RICICLA GROUP, Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali: Produzione, Territorio, Agroenergia, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milan, Italy.
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40
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Mecheri B, Felice V, D'Epifanio A, Tavares AC, Licoccia S. Composite Polymer Electrolytes for Fuel Cell Applications: Filler-Induced Effect on Water Sorption and Transport Properties. Chemphyschem 2013; 14:3814-21. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201300637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rinaldi
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), C.R. Casaccia, Via Anguillarese 301, Santa Maria di Galeria, 00060, Rome, Italy; Int. Research Center for Mathematics and Mechanics of Complex Systems, Via S. Pasquale, 04012, Cisterna di Latina (LT), Italy; and, NAST Centre and Dept. of Chemical Science and Technology, Universita’ di Roma Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Roma 00133, Italy (corresponding author)
| | - Pedro Peralta
- Fulton Schools of Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ 85287-6106
| | - Karl Sieradzki
- Fulton Schools of Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ 85287-6106
| | - Enrico Traversa
- Fulton Schools of Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ 85287-6106
| | - Silvia Licoccia
- NAST Centre and Dept. of Chemical Science and Technology, Universita’ di Roma Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Roma 00133, Italy
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42
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Pagliari F, Mandoli C, Forte G, Magnani E, Pagliari S, Nardone G, Licoccia S, Minieri M, Di Nardo P, Traversa E. Cerium oxide nanoparticles protect cardiac progenitor cells from oxidative stress. ACS Nano 2012; 6:3767-75. [PMID: 22524692 DOI: 10.1021/nn2048069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) are a promising autologous source of cells for cardiac regenerative medicine. However, CPC culture in vitro requires the presence of microenvironmental conditions (a complex array of bioactive substance concentration, mechanostructural factors, and physicochemical factors) closely mimicking the natural cell surrounding in vivo, including the capability to uphold reactive oxygen species (ROS) within physiological levels in vitro. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) are redox-active and could represent a potent tool to control the oxidative stress in isolated CPCs. Here, we report that 24 h exposure to 5, 10, and 50 μg/mL of nanoceria did not affect cell growth and function in cardiac progenitor cells, while being able to protect CPCs from H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity for at least 7 days, indicating that nanoceria in an effective antioxidant. Therefore, these findings confirm the great potential of nanoceria for controlling ROS-induced cell damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pagliari
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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43
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Brown CP, Harnagea C, Gill HS, Price AJ, Traversa E, Licoccia S, Rosei F. Rough fibrils provide a toughening mechanism in biological fibers. ACS Nano 2012; 6:1961-1969. [PMID: 22324287 DOI: 10.1021/nn300130q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Spider silk is a fascinating natural composite material. Its combination of strength and toughness is unrivalled in nature, and as a result, it has gained considerable interest from the medical, physics, and materials communities. Most of this attention has focused on the one to tens of nanometer scale: predominantly the primary (peptide sequences) and secondary (β sheets, helices, and amorphous domains) structure, with some insights into tertiary structure (the arrangement of these secondary structures) to describe the origins of the mechanical and biological performance. Starting with spider silk, and relating our findings to collagen fibrils, we describe toughening mechanisms at the hundreds of nanometer scale, namely, the fibril morphology and its consequences for mechanical behavior and the dissipation of energy. Under normal conditions, this morphology creates a nonslip fibril kinematics, restricting shearing between fibrils, yet allowing controlled local slipping under high shear stress, dissipating energy without bulk fracturing. This mechanism provides a relatively simple target for biomimicry and, thus, can potentially be used to increase fracture resistance in synthetic materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron P Brown
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
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Ahmed Z, Belitto S, Di Vona ML, Trombetta M, Traversa E, Licoccia S. Sulphonated poly ether ether ketone/amino-diphenylsilandiol composite electrolyte for PEM fuel cells. J Appl Polym Sci 2011. [DOI: 10.1002/app.34906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Brown CP, Macleod J, Amenitsch H, Cacho-Nerin F, Gill HS, Price AJ, Traversa E, Licoccia S, Rosei F. The critical role of water in spider silk and its consequence for protein mechanics. Nanoscale 2011; 3:3805-3811. [PMID: 21837334 DOI: 10.1039/c1nr10502g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Due to its remarkable mechanical and biological properties, there is considerable interest in understanding, and replicating, spider silk's stress-processing mechanisms and structure-function relationships. Here, we investigate the role of water in the nanoscale mechanics of the different regions in the spider silk fibre, and their relative contributions to stress processing. We propose that the inner core region, rich in spidroin II, retains water due to its inherent disorder, thereby providing a mechanism to dissipate energy as it breaks a sacrificial amide-water bond and gains order under strain, forming a stronger amide-amide bond. The spidroin I-rich outer core is more ordered under ambient conditions and is inherently stiffer and stronger, yet does not on its own provide high toughness. The markedly different interactions of the two proteins with water, and their distribution across the fibre, produce a stiffness differential and provide a balance between stiffness, strength and toughness under ambient conditions. Under wet conditions, this balance is destroyed as the stiff outer core material reverts to the behaviour of the inner core.
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Krishnakumar T, Jayaprakash R, Prakash T, Sathyaraj D, Donato N, Licoccia S, Latino M, Stassi A, Neri G. CdO-based nanostructures as novel CO(2) gas sensors. Nanotechnology 2011; 22:325501. [PMID: 21772074 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/32/325501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Crystalline Cd(OH)(2)/CdCO(3) nanowires, having lengths in the range from 0.3 up to several microns and 5-30 nm in diameter, were synthesized by a microwave-assisted wet chemical route and used as a precursor to obtain CdO nanostructures after a suitable thermal treatment in air. The morphology and microstructure of the as-synthesized and annealed materials have been investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry. The change in morphology and electrical properties with temperature has revealed a wire-to-rod transformation along with a decreases of electrical resistance. Annealed samples were printed on a ceramic substrate with interdigitated contacts to fabricate resistive solid state sensors. Gas sensing properties were explored by monitoring CO(2) in synthetic air in the concentration range 0.2-5 v/v% (2000-50 000 ppm). The effect of annealing temperature, working temperature and CO(2) concentration on sensing properties (sensitivity, response/recovery time and stability) were investigated. The results obtained demonstrate that CdO-based thick films have good potential as novel CO(2) sensors for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Krishnakumar
- Department of Physics, King College of Technology, Nallur, Namakkal, Tamilnadu-637 020, India
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Stefanelli M, Nardis S, Tortora L, Fronczek FR, Smith KM, Licoccia S, Paolesse R. Nitration of iron corrolates: further evidence for non-innocence of the corrole ligand. Chem Commun (Camb) 2011; 47:4255-7. [PMID: 21380423 DOI: 10.1039/c0cc05491g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mono- and di-substituted β-nitro derivatives have been obtained from the reaction of ttcorrFeCl with sodium nitrite in refluxing DMF. This result is unprecedented for iron corrolates and further evidences the non-innocent character of the corrole ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Stefanelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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Brown CP, Rosei F, Traversa E, Licoccia S. Spider silk as a load bearing biomaterial: tailoring mechanical properties via structural modifications. Nanoscale 2011; 3:870-876. [PMID: 21212901 DOI: 10.1039/c0nr00752h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Spider silk shows great potential as a biomaterial: in addition to biocompatibility and biodegradability, its strength and toughness are greater than native biological fibres (e.g. collagen), with toughness exceeding that of synthetic fibres (e.g. nylon). Although the ultimate tensile strength and toughness at failure are unlikely to be limiting factors, its yield strain of 2% is insufficient, particularly for biomedical application because of the inability to mimic the complex ultrastructure of natural tissues with current tissue engineering approaches. To harness the full potential of spider silk as a biomaterial, it is therefore necessary to increase its yield strain. In this paper, we discuss the means by which the mechanical properties of spider silk, particularly the yield strain, can be optimized through structural modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron P Brown
- Centro NAST, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, via Della Ricerca Scientifica, 000133, Roma, Italy.
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Abstract
Nanomechanics and structural design of MEMS are intimately tied together. As mechanical properties of hard materials are found to be strongly sample-size dependent, new criteria are in demand for size-dependent structural analysis and design of MEMS components. The paper offers a critical survey of some of the most interesting and challenging advances in nanomechanics of metals from a MEMS design standpoint. The emphasis is not just on sample size effects in intrinsic properties (in plasticity, elasticity and fracture) but also on extrinsic effects arising in material testing of super hard nano-sized samples and crucially affecting MEMS performance if discarded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Rinaldi
- NAST center and Department of Chemical Science and Technology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, Roma, 00133, Italy.
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Baglio V, Blasi AD, Arico' AS, Antonucci V, Antonucci PL, Fiory FS, Licoccia S, Traversa E. Increasing the Operating Temperature of Nafion Membranes with Addition of Nanocrystalline Oxides for Direct Methanol Fuel Cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1557/proc-756-ee2.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACTComposite Nafion membranes containing various amounts of TiO2 (3%, 5% and 10%) were prepared by using a recast procedure for application in high temperature Direct Methanol Fuel Cells (DMFCs). The electrochemical behaviour was compared to that of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) based on a bare recast Nafion membrane. All the MEAs containing the Nafion-titania membranes were able to operate up to 145°C, whereas the assembly equipped with the bare recast Nafion membrane showed the maximum performance at 120°C. A maximum power density of 340 mW cm-2 was achieved at 145°C with the composite membrane in the presence of oxygen feed, whereas the maximum power density with air feed was about 210 mW cm-2.
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