Topic Review
ZnO and TiO2 Green Synthesis
Over the last two decades, oxide nanostructures have been continuously evaluated and used in many technological applications. The advancement of the controlled synthesis approach to design desired morphology is a fundamental key to the discipline of material science and nanotechnology. These nanostructures can be prepared via different physical and chemical methods; however, a green synthesis approach is a promising way to produce these nanostructures with desired properties with time and energy savings and/or less use of hazardous chemicals. In this regard, ZnO and TiO2 nanostructures are prominent candidates for various applications given their thermal stability, non-toxicity and cost-effective. 
  • 1.7K
  • 06 May 2021
Topic Review
Zn(II) AIEgens: “Clip Approach”
 Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) compounds display a photophysical phenomenon inwhich the aggregate state exhibits stronger emission than the isolated units. The common term of“AIEgens” was coined to describe compounds undergoing the AIE effect. Due to the recent interestin AIEgens, the search for novel hybrid organic–inorganic compounds with unique luminescenceproperties in the aggregate phase is a relevant goal. In this perspective, the abundant, inexpensive,and nontoxic d10 zinc cation offers unique opportunities for building AIE active fluorophores, sensingprobes, and bioimaging tools. Considering the novelty of the topic, relevant examples collected inthe last 5 years (2016–2021) through scientific production can be considered fully representative ofthe state-of-the-art. Starting from the simple phenomenological approach and considering differenttypological and chemical units and structures, we focused on zinc-based AIEgens offering syntheticnovelty, research completeness, and relevant applications. A special section was devoted to Zn(II)-based AIEgens for living cell imaging as the novel technological frontier in biology and medicine.
  • 560
  • 22 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Zirconolite and Murataite for the Immobilization of Actinides
Zirconolite is highly stable in nature, with isotope systems that have been closed for hundreds of million years, making it possible for age determination. Murataite is a very rare mineral, its synthetic counerpart was first discovered in the Synroc matrix from defense waste obtained by sintering. Synthetic zirconolie and murataite can be applied for nuclear waste immobilization. 
  • 861
  • 14 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Zeolite Synthesis and the Crystallization Process
Zeolites, as a class of crystalline minerals, find a wide range of applications in various fields, such as catalysis, separation, and adsorption. These materials have also been developed for advanced applications, such as gas storage, medical applications, magnetic adsorption, and zeolitic-polymeric membranes. To effectively design zeolites for such intriguing applications, it is crucial to intelligently adjust their crystal size, morphology, and defect population in relation to crystal perfection. Optimizing these fundamental parameters necessitates a deep understanding of zeolite formation mechanisms, encompassing the thermodynamics and kinetics of nucleation steps as well as crystallite growth. 
  • 171
  • 31 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Ytterbium Fluoride in Dental Materials
The compound ytterbium trifluoride is used as a component of several dental materials. Ytterbium trifluoride is reported to be insoluble in water. Despite this, its presence is associated with fluoride release from dental materials. There is evidence that it reacts with the components of calcium trisilicate cements to form small amounts of a variety of compounds, including ytterbium oxide, Yb2O3, and calcium–ytterbium fluoride, CaYbF5. In nanoparticulate form, it has been shown to reinforce glass polyalkenoates and it also provides high contrast in X-ray images.
  • 106
  • 12 Jan 2024
Topic Review
X-ray and Nuclear Spectroscopies for Non-Gadolinium MRI Agents
Nanoparticulated manganese cyanoferrate (K2Mn[Fe(CN)6]) and its analogs are non-toxic complexes and prime candidates for the next generation non-gadolinium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents. L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (L-XAS) and 57Fe specific nuclear resonant vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) can be combined as a modern spectroscopic method to evaluate the element specific and isotope specific information about the oxidation states, electronic spin states and the coordination environments for the metals inside these complexes.
  • 123
  • 08 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Water-Gas Shift Reaction
The water-gas shift reaction (WGSR) describes the reaction of carbon monoxide and water vapor to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen: The water gas shift reaction was discovered by Italian physicist Felice Fontana in 1780. It was not until much later that the industrial value of this reaction was realized. Before the early 20th century, hydrogen was obtained by reacting steam under high pressure with iron to produce iron, iron oxide and hydrogen. With the development of industrial processes that required hydrogen, such as the Haber–Bosch ammonia synthesis, a less expensive and more efficient method of hydrogen production was needed. As a resolution to this problem, the WGSR was combined with the gasification of coal to produce a pure hydrogen product. As the idea of hydrogen economy gains popularity, the focus on hydrogen as a replacement fuel source for hydrocarbons is increasing.
  • 3.8K
  • 22 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Water Physisorbed on Natural Clinoptilolite
Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) can provide very useful information on the nature of water physisorbed on zeolites. The vibrational characteristics of geomorphic clinoptilolite of natural origin and the water physically adsorbed on it have been investigated. In particular, two types of physisorbed water molecules have been identified by combining the FT-IR analysis with a mild thermal drying treatment (1h at 150°C) of the sample: the loosely-bound water and the tightly-bound water.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Vanadium in Live Aspects
In Earth’s regions accessible for living organisms (Earth’s crust, crude oil, water sanctuaries and lower atmosphere), vanadium is present in the oxidation states +III and—essentially—+IV (cationic) and +V (cationic and anionic), with the redox interchange and biochemical recycling often monitored by bacteria. Organisms having available vanadium-containing (bio)molecules with essential functions for life include marine brown algae (haloperoxidases), ascidians and fan worms, as well as terrestrial organisms, viz., nitrogen-fixing bacteria (associated with the roots of legumes), and the fly agaric mushroom.
  • 256
  • 30 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Van der Waals Heterostructures
van der Waals heterostructures are stacks of 2D sheets. The basal planes of each sheet are held strongly together by covalent bonding, while van der Waals forces keep them fixed in a sort of sandwich structure. It is not an underestimation that vdW structures can be projected as atomic-scale Lego blocks.
  • 704
  • 26 Jul 2021
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