Polarization mechanisms of dielectric materials at a binary liquid interface: impacts on electrowetting actuation.

We explored polarization mechanisms at the interface between a dielectric material (an electrolyte) and an insulating liquid, during electrowetting actuation. Native surface charge density due to hydrophobic coating has been measured as an offset voltage for which the contact angle is at its minimum. Surface charge densities as low as 0.023 mC m-2 have been measured using this method, demonstrating that electrowetting can be used as a probe to measure native surface charge density. This effect strongly differs depending on the kind of polarization and is at the origin of major discrepancies between alternative and direct polarization during electrowetting actuation. A new model describing electrowetting actuation is also proposed, leading to a more predictive description as well as useful recommendations on materials to obtain a stable actuation under DC polarization.

Synthesis of hexagonal boron nitride graphene-like few layers.

Self-standing highly crystallized hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) mono-, bi- and few-layers have been obtained for the first time via the Polymer Derived Ceramics (PDCs) route by adding lithium nitride (Li3N) micropowders to liquid-state polyborazylene (PBN). Incorporation of Li3N as a crystallization promoter allows the onset of crystallization of h-BN at a lower temperature (1200 °C) than under classical conditions (1800 °C). The hexagonal structure was confirmed by both electron and X-ray diffraction.

Core-shell Au@(TiO(2), SiO(2)) nanoparticles with tunable morphology.

A novel approach based on the Stöber method allows breaking of the symmetry of core-shell systems based on metallic core and metal oxide shell. By adjusting the proportion of the TiO(2) precursor with regard to the silica precursor, different morphologies of the particles have been obtained displacing the gold particle from center to eccentric positions leading to acorn-like and raspberry-like structure.

Ultrathin polycrystalline hematite and goethite-hematite core-shell nanorods.

We have developed a facile synthesis route to 1D structures of ultrathin polycrystalline hematite and goethite-hematite core-shells. One-dimensional structures of pure hematite and the goethite-hematite core-shell with very small diameters were synthesized in aqueous solution at low temperature with a simple, rapid method based on the oxidation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles without using surfactants.

Tuning of copper nanocrystals optical properties with their shapes.

Copper nanocrystals are obtained by chemical reduction of copper ions in mixed reverse micelles. A large excess of reducing agent favors producing a new generation of shaped copper nanocrystals as nanodisks, elongated nanocrystals, and cubes. By using UV-Visible spectroscopy and numerical optical simulations we demonstrate that the optical properties are tuned by the relative proportions of spheres and nanodisks.

Silver nanodisks: optical properties study using the discrete dipole approximation method.

The simulated optical properties of silver nanodisks are presented. The extinction, absorption, and scattering efficiencies are calculated using the discrete dipole approximation. The influence of the nanodisk size, truncature (snip), aspect ratio, and environment on the plasmon resonance bands is investigated. In particular, the dipolar and multipolar resonance peak positions have been related to the specific features of the nanodisk geometry. An interpretation of the origins of each multipolar mode is proposed for the first time taking into account this geometry.

Silver nanodisks: size selection via centrifugation and optical properties.

Silver nanodisks, having two different sizes, and spherical particles are synthesized by soft chemistry. By using centrifugation, nanodisks are mainly selected. The experimental absorption spectra of these nanodisks with different sizes are compared to those simulated using the discrete dipole approximation method. For small nanodisk sizes, the nanodisk shape is neglected and the simulated spectra closest to the experiments are obtained by assuming a spheroidal particle. Conversely, for larger nanodisks, the precise geometries represented by snip and aspect ratio are needed for good agreement between experiments and simulations.

Optical properties of gold nanorods: DDA simulations supported by experiments.

Simulations of the absorption efficiency using the discrete dipole approximation (DDA) method and taking into account the real shape of gold nanorods are reported. A dominant surface plasma band corresponding to the longitudinal resonance is observed. Its maximum position lambda(max) shifts to the red as the aspect ratio increases. The transversal dipolar and multipolar mode wavelength positions are also discussed. These data are in good agreement with previous theoretical work based on classical electrostatic predictions and assuming that gold nanorods behave as ellipsoidal particles. From the experimental point of view, good agreement with the published data for gold nanorods is obtained.

Protein-calixarene interactions: complexation of Bovine Serum Albumin by sulfonatocalix[n]arenes.

The complexation of Bovine Serum Albumin with sulfonatocalix[n]arenes has been demonstrated by means of electrospray mass spectrometry, dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy; with sulfonatocalix[4]arene one strong and two weaker binding sites are detected; the effects on the structure of thin films formed by surface deposition of BSA show that the sulfonatocalix[n]arenes act to reticulate the films and produce essentially planar systems.