Two-Dimensional VO Inverse Opal: Fabrication and Electrochromic Application.

The open-layered structure of Vanadium pentoxide (VO) has triggered significant interest in exploring its energy-related application as lithium (Li) intercalation cathode material. Various methods are extensively studied to improve the Li diffusion using thin films or nanoarchitecture. In this work, high-quality two-dimensional (2D) inverse opal α-VO films were synthesized via a modified 'dynamic hard template' infiltration strategy using sacrificial polystyrene spheres (PS, a diameter of 530 nm) photonic crystal as a template.

A simple way to fabricate pure anatase 2D TiO IO monolayer: structure, color control and its application in electrochromism.

Pure anatase two dimensional (2D) TiO inverse opal (IO) films, consisting of a highly ordered hexagonal-patterned structure, are synthesized from various sized polystyrene spheres (PS) as colloidal template simply coupled with TiOSO aqueous solution as TiO precursor using a "dynamic-hard-template infiltration" strategy. Herein, the TiOSO solution is directly infiltrated into the interstices of the 2D self-assembled PS opal template at an air/water interface resulting in a TiOSO/PS opal composite film floating on the surface of water which was further deposited onto ITO or silicon substrates. Calcination of the obtained opal composite films at temperatures ranging from 300 to 550 °C resulted in 2D TiO IO films with various pore sizes having an inverse moth's eye structure.

Assessing the potential of boronic acid/chitosan/bioglass composite materials for tissue engineering applications.

Composite materials aimed at bone tissue engineering need to have suitable bioactivity in order to promote cell proliferation and adhesion. In this article, we study the potential of boronic acids to improve the bioactivity of chitosan-based composite materials. Samples were prepared using boronic acid functionalised chitosan and Bioglass 45S5.

A hierarchically porous anatase TiO2 coated-WO3 2D IO bilayer film and its photochromic properties.

A hierarchically porous anatase TiO2 coated-WO3 2D inverse opal (IO) bilayer film was fabricated on ITO glass using a layer by layer route with a hierarchically porous TiO2 top layer and an ordered super-macroporous WO3 2D IO bottom layer. This novel TiO2 coated-WO3 2D IO bilayer film was evaluated for photochromic applications.

Characterization of Shrimp Oil from Pandalus borealis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and High Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, was recovered from the cooking water of shrimp processing facilities. The oil contains significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in triglyceride form, along with substantial long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). It also features natural isomeric forms of astaxanthin, a nutritional carotenoid, which gives the oil a brilliant red color.

Facile fabrication of crack-free large-area 2D WO3 inverse opal films by a 'dynamic hard-template' strategy on ITO substrates.

A 'dynamic hard-template' infiltration strategy for crack-free large-area synthesis of 2D WO3 inverse opal (IO) films on ITO substrates using a wide range of sizes of sacrificial PS spheres is reported. Thus prepared WO3 IO films were successfully used as an active electrode in the fabrication of an electrochromic device.

Synthesis of hybrid silica materials with tunable pore structures and morphology and their application for heavy metal removal from drinking water.

Porous silica materials S8, S12, S16, and SBA with controllable pore structures and morphology were synthesized by varying the type or alkyl chain length of the surfactant. Diverse amino-functionalized organic-inorganic hybrid porous materials were then prepared by post-grafting. Depending on the relation between the pore diameter of the porous silica materials and the size and content of the moiety to be grafted, the functionalized materials exhibited varying degrees of decline of structure properties, i.

Controlled Growth of WO(3) Nanostructures with Three Different Morphologies and Their Structural, Optical, and Photodecomposition Studies.

Tungsten trioxide (WO(3)) nanostructures were synthesized by hydrothermal method using sodium tungstate (Na(2)WO(4).2H(2)O) alone as starting material, and sodium tungstate in presence of ferrous ammonium sulfate [(NH(4))(2)Fe(SO(4))(2).6H(2)O] or cobalt chloride (CoCl(2).