Ricerc@Sapienza

The chiral separation of baclofen (Bac) was obtained by nano-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC–MS/MS) using a 100 μm I.D. fused silica capillary column packed with silica particles chemically modified with vancomycin. Various experimental parameters, such as composition (buffer concentration, water content, organic modifier) and pH of the mobile phase and sample solvent were investigated for method optimization. In order to increase the sensitivity an on-column focusing procedure was applied.

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with photoanodes composed of chirality selected single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been fabricated and tested for first time. Single chirality SWCNTs separation (93% purity) have been achieved by modifying standard size exclusion gel chromatography. Chirality selection has allowed for “tuning” of the energy barrier at the TiO2/SWNT/FTO interface, electronic conductivity enhancement, and reduced SWCNTs-ruthenium dye competition for light absorption resulting in a 81% energy conversion efficiency improvement compared to mixed chirality cells.

Two different types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), multi-walled and single-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs and SWCNTs, respectively), have been characterized as new potential sorbents for contaminant removal from aqueous phase and can be used through different technological implementations. The performance of the materials has been evaluated in comparison with the most commonly used carbonaceous material, activated carbon (AC). Adsorption properties were evaluated by kinetic and equilibrium batch tests in aqueous solution at different salinity levels.

The effects of the integration of continuous sheets of randomly oriented multi-walled carbon nanotubes on the low velocity impact behavior of cross-ply carbon/epoxy laminates have been investigated. Three different energy levels were used, namely 5 J, 10 J, and 20 J and significant reductions in delaminated area in the range 11%–39% compared to the baseline laminates were achieved by incorporating interleaves at each 0/90 interface. This resulted in a better flexural damage tolerance of modified laminates.

A novel pyrene‐substituted thioethyl‐porphyrazine (PzPy) and the formation of supramolecular assembly with nanocarbons demonstrating photoinduced electron transfer ability are designed. As revealed by spectroscopic and electrochemical studies, PzPy displays wide spectral absorption in the visible range, charge separation upon photoexcitation, as well as bandgap and highest occupied/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO/LUMO) energy values, matching the key requirements of organic optoelectronic.