Coral Pt islands films are deposited via electrochemical reduction on silica-coated nanostructured Ag electrodes. From these devices surface-enhanced (resonance) Raman [SE(R)R] signals of molecules exclusively attached to Pt are obtained with intensity up to 50% of the value determined for Ag. SE(R)R spectroscopic investigations are carried out with different probe molecules, silica-coating thi...

The ultrastructural localization of chitin in the cyst walls of Euplotes muscicola was carried out after deproteinization and by specific labelling with WGA-gold complex. The overall ectocyst contains chitin that alone can sustain the exact profile of this cystic layer. In the endocyst, electron clear sublayers include chitin and alternate with other sublayers probably of proteic nature.

We report the preparation of a hybrid chitosan/silica three-dimensional (3D) scaffold loaded simultaneously with two model hydrophilic substances, ibuprofen sodium salt and erioglaucine disodium salt. The first substance is entrapped in situ during chitosan submillimetric beads by ionotropic gelation triphosphate, while latter post-loaded formation. Controlled release experiments carried out un...

Encapsulation of molybdenum oxide MoO3 into ordered mesoporous silica materials is demonstrated using different synthetic routes. Either supramolecular polyoxometalates of the “Müller type” or Na2MoO4 were used as precursors. Molybdenum oxide (MoO3)-silica hybrid materials were characterized using nitrogen-sorption experiments, transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, and...

Technologically-relevant levels of Ge can be incorporated into cell wall silica of the diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana with no aberration in structure at low levels, whereas higher levels alter structure.

1 Unité Biologie des Organismes et Ecosystèmes Aquatiques, Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (UMR-7208), Sorbonne Université, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de Caen Normandie, Université des Antilles, Paris, France, 2 Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (UMR-7574), Collège de France, Laborato...

We report the rational control of the nanostructure and surface morphology of a polyamine@silica nanoribbon-based hybrid nanograss film, which was generated by performing a biomimetic silica mineralization reaction on a nanostructured linear polyethyleneimine (LPEI) layer preorganized on the inner wall of a glass tube. We found that the film thickness, size and density of the nanoribbons and th...

We present a strategy to increase the sensitivity of resonators to the presence of specific molecules in the gas phase, measured by the change in resonant frequency as the partial pressure of the molecule changes. We used quartz crystals as the resonators and coated them with three different thin films (<1 microm thick) of porous silica: silica xerogel, silica templated by an ordered hexagonal ...

The self-assembly and sol-gel polymerisation of novel alkoxysilane-functionalized polymethylsiloxanes provide versatile access to nano-assembled containers, silica-based micro- and nano-architectures and dispersed mixed metal oxide hybrid materials.

The ability to collect uranium from seawater offers the potential for a nearly limitless fuel supply for nuclear energy. We evaluated the use of functionalized nanostructured sorbents for the collection and recovery of uranium from seawater. Extraction of trace minerals from seawater and brines is challenging due to the high ionic strength of seawater, low mineral concentrations, and fouling of...