Novel 0D-nanocarbon-silica ceramic composites: sol-gel synthesis and high-temperature evolution.

Herein we report the synthesis of novel 0D-nanocarbon-based silicon-containing ceramic composites by a facile salt-free synthesis method followed by polymer-to-ceramic transformation. 0D-nanocarbon-silica composites were synthesized via a one-pot sol-gel process using tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) and functionalized nanodiamonds and converted subsequently via pyrolysis under an argon atmosphere into nanodiamond/silica nanocomposites. The thermal conversion of the nanodiamond phase to a multilayer fullerene phase was carefully investigated by integral and local characterization methods such as vibrational spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, BET, SEM and HRTEM.

Biosynthesis of catechol melanin from glycerol employing metabolically engineered Escherichia coli.

Background: Melanins comprise a chemically-diverse group of polymeric pigments whose function is related to protection against physical and chemical stress factors. These polymers have current and potential applications in the chemical, medical, electronics and materials industries. The biotechnological production of melanins offers the possibility of obtaining these pigments in pure form and relatively low cost.