0000000000132199
AUTHOR
Nadia Katir
Gold nanoparticles grown on a hydrophobic and texturally tunable PDMS-like framework
Mesoporous silicas are among the most suitable high-surface area solids to support small-sized metal clusters and nanoparticles. Unfortunately, the instability of silica in water constitutes a serious impediment for its widespread use and large implementation as a catalytic support for fine chemical synthesis and for biomass upgrading in the context of biorefineries. While end cupping silanols provides a way for delaying framework degradation, further investigations are needed to design more robust, water-resistant supports. Prompted by the success of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in surface coating and water-repellent technologies, we herein explore the transformation of triethoxysilyl-funct…
Phosphorylated micro- vs. nano-cellulose: a comparative study on their surface functionalisation, growth of titanium-oxo-phosphate clusters and removal of chemical pollutants
Controlled cellulose disassembly affords many variants including amorphous micro-sized cellulose crystals (MCC) and cellulose nano-sized crystals (CNC), which have emerged recently as green and sustainable nanomaterials. Unfortunately, their lower reactivity and thermal and chemical instability constitute an impediment for multifaceted nanoscience and nanotechnology usage. Herein, MCC and CNC are functionalised using two phosphorus derivatives (phosphoryl chloride and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene), under acid-free, urea-free and corrosive-free, gentle experimental conditions. Notably, CNC can accommodate more phosphorus species compared to MCC, with the bulky phosphazene precursor being le…
Phosphorylation triggered growth of metal phosphate on halloysite and sepiolite nanoparticles: preparation, entrapment in chitosan hydrogels and application as recyclable scavengers
The rational design of porous, biomass-derived eco-friendly adsorbents instead of costly synthetic, petroleum-based resins stands as a promising approach to resolving the thorny issue of sewage treatment (for example, by supplying safe water for drinking and irrigation). Herein we explore a straightforward transformation of abundant clay and polysaccharides into highly-reactive water-cleaning adsorbents. Surface-functionalization of sepiolite and halloysite by phosphoryl chloride triggered metal dissolution from the framework (inside of the lumen for halloysite and on the external surface for sepiolite) and the concomitant growth of well-truncated crystalline metal phosphates. These unprece…