Effect of Crystalline Phase and Facet Nature on the Adsorption of Phosphate Species onto TiO Nanoparticles.

The current use of TiO nanoparticles raises questions about their impact on our health. Cells interact with these nanoparticles via the phospholipid membrane and, in particular, the phosphate head. This highlights the significance of understanding the interaction between phosphates and nanoparticles possessing distinct crystalline structures, specifically anatase and rutile.

Impact of metals on (star)dust chemistry: a laboratory astrophysics approach.

Laboratory experiments are essential in exploring the mechanisms involved in stardust formation. One key question is how a metal is incorporated into dust for an environment rich in elements involved in stardust formation (C, H, O, Si). To address experimentally this question we have used a radiofrequency cold plasma reactor in which cyclic organosilicon dust formation is observed.

Using cold plasma to investigate the mechanisms involved in cosmic dust formation: role of the C/O ratio and metals.

Using a cold plasma reactor in which we inject an organosilicon molecular precursor, we investigate chemical mechanisms that can be involved in dust formation in evolved stars. By injecting metal atoms into the gas-phase, we investigate the role of metals on dust composition. We show the formation of composite particles made of pure metal (silver) nanoparticles embedded in an organosilicon dust.