Antibacterial Activity Evaluation of ZnO, CuO, and TiO2 Nanoparticles in Solution and Thin Films.

This chapter introduces unique methodology of antibacterial activity evaluation of nanoparticles in both solution and thin films. Nanoparticles of ZnO, TiO2, and CuO are synthesized via the sol-gel method. Antibacterial tests are carried out against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli bacteria using disk diffusion and bioluminescence. To perform antibacterial tests on thin films and to overcome bacterial strains recuperation on the supports, a new method of bacterial detaching from the slides is developed based on French standard NF EN 14561.

Structure-directing role of immobilized polyoxometalates in the synthesis of porphyrinic Zr-based metal-organic frameworks.

We evidence the structure-directing role of the PW12O403- polyoxometalate in porphyrinic MOF synthesis whereby it promotes the formation of the kinetic topology. Its immobilization into the MOF is successfully achieved at a high temperature yielding the kinetic MOF-525/PCN-224 phases, while prohibiting the formation of the thermodynamic MOF-545 product. A combined experimental/theoretical approach uses differential PDF and DFT calculations along with solid-state NMR to show the structural integrity of the POM and its location next to the Zr-based nodes.

Co-immobilization of a Rh Catalyst and a Keggin Polyoxometalate in the UiO-67 Zr-Based Metal-Organic Framework: In Depth Structural Characterization and Photocatalytic Properties for CO2 Reduction.

The Keggin-type polyoxometalate (POM) PW12O403- and the catalytic complex Cp*Rh(bpydc)Cl2 (bpydc = 2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid) were coimmobilized in the Zr(IV) based metal organic framework UiO-67. The POM is encapsulated within the cavities of the MOF by in situ synthesis, and then, the Rh catalytic complex is introduced by postsynthetic linker exchange. Infrared and Raman spectroscopies, 31P and 13C MAS NMR, N2 adsorption isotherms, and X-ray diffraction indicate the structural integrity of all components (POM, Rh-complex and MOF) within the composite of interest (PW12,Cp*Rh)@UiO-67. DFT calculations identified two possible locations of the POM in the octahedral cavities of the MOF: one at the center of a UiO-67 pore with the Cp*Rh complex pointing toward an empty pore and one off-centered with the Cp*Rh pointing toward the POM. 31P-1H heteronuclear (HETCOR) experiments ascertained the two environments of the POM, equally distributed, with the POM in interaction either with the Cp* fragment or with the organic linker. In addition, Pair Distribution Function (PDF) data were collected on the POM@MOF composite and provided key evidence of the structural integrity of the POM once immobilized into the MOF. The photocatalytic activity of the (PW12,Cp*Rh)@UiO-67 composite for CO2 reduction into formate and hydrogen were evaluated. The formate production was doubled when compared with that observed with the POM-free Cp*Rh@UiO-67 catalyst and reached TONs as high as 175 when prepared as thin films, showing the beneficial influence of the POM. Finally, the stability of the composite was assessed by means of recyclability tests. The combination of XRD, IR, ICP, and PDF experiments was essential in confirming the integrity of the POM, the catalyst, and the MOF after catalysis.