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Title
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Rational design of nanosystems by a combined RF-sputtering/sol-gel approach
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Author
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Abstract
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| The present work is devoted to the preparation of Ag/TiO2 nanosystems by an original synthetic strategy, based on the radio-frequency (RF) sputtering of silver particles on titania-based xerogels prepared by the sol-gel (SG) route. This approach takes advantage of the synergy between the microporous xerogel structure and the infiltration power characterizing RF-sputtering, whose combination enables the obtainment of a tailored dispersion of Ag-containing particles into the titania matrix. In addition, the systems chemico-physical features can be tuned further through proper ex situ thermal treatments in air at 400 and 600 °C. The synthesized composites are extensively characterized by the joint use of complementary techniques, that is, X-ray photoelectron and X-ray excited Auger electron spectroscopies (XPS, XE-AES), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), high-angle annular dark field scanning TEM (HAADF-STEM), energy-filtered TEM (EF-TEM) and optical absorption spectroscopy. Finally, the photocatalytic performances of selected samples in the decomposition of the azo-dye Plasmocorinth B are preliminarily investigated. The obtained results highlight the possibility of tailoring the system characteristics over a broad range, directly influencing their eventual functional properties. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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ChemPhysChem : a European journal of chemical physics and physical chemistry. - Weinheim, 2000 - 2015
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Publication
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Weinheim
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Wiley-VCH
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2009
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ISSN
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1439-4235
[print]
1439-7641
[online]
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Volume/pages
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10
:18
(2009)
, p. 3249-3259
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ISI
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000273410600015
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Full text (Publisher's DOI)
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