Posts by: Marco Franceschini

peri-Acenoacene Ribbons with Zigzag BN-Doped Peripheries

In this research paper, STiBNite ESRs Marco Franceschini and Martina Crosta (UNIVIE) present the synthesis and the properties of a series of BN-doped molecular ribbons. The BN-graphenoids in this study show systematic red-shift of their UV−vis absorption and emission spectra, as well as a decrease in their oxidation potential, upon elongation of the fused aromatic backbone. In addition, the ribbons’ emission shows a Thermally-Activated Delayed Fluorescence (TADF) component. All these properties are highly desirable features to engineer p-type organic semiconductors. The full paper can be found here.

ESR 11 Carolina: Introduction to XPS

In this video, ESR 11 Carolina (RUG) explains the principles of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), state-of-art characterization technique in surface science. Carolina’s research goal is the on-surface synthesis of BN-doped graphene through photopolimerization and thermal conversion of BNC precursors. XPS is the analytical technique accurate for surface characterization and suitable for all type of synthetic steps.

Heat-based transdermal delivery of a ramipril loaded cream for treating hypertension

In this collaborative work, Anna Voronova (Univ. Lille) and STiBNite ESR Diego Jaramillo (device fabrication, UCLouvain) present the delivery of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, ramipril, using an electrothermal actuator based on a gold nanowire array to increase the transdermal ramipril flux. Using rats as in vivo model, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were monitored, while heat activation in the electrothermal actuator provided full drug delivery. The full paper can be found here.

First-principles study of the structural and electronic properties of BN-ring doped graphene

In this research paper, STiBNite ESR Laura Caputo, using first-principles (ab initio) techniques, investigates the periodic doping of graphene with borazine-like rings. The theoretical calculations show that the properties are sensitive to the doping pattern and doping concentration, and therefore these materials could be interesting candidates for optoelectronic applications. The full paper can be found here.

ESR 7 Diego: Photolithography

In this short video, ESR 7 Diego Jaramillo (UCLouvain) explains the basics of photolithography. Diego is working on the integration of BNC materials into electronic devices, and photolithography represents one of the possible techniques that can be used to build such architectures.

ESR 4 Sumon Poster presentation at #ViSYOChem2022

ESR 4 Sumon (UNIPG) presented his poster “Solvent-free monophasic bromination of mesborazine with NBS and catalyst” during the 2nd Virtual Symposium for Young Organic Chemists (#ViSYOChem2022) organized by Società Chimica Italiana. The poster presentation took place on Twitter on the 20th of October, 2022, and Sumon discusses the problems, and their solutions, of borazine functionalization. You can find his poster here.

ESR 14 Miquel: PhD in industry

In this video, ESR 14 Miquel Garcia Lleo (GXT) explains what it means to pursue a PhD in industry. Miquel is working on the preparation of Boron-Nitrogen-Carbon bulk materials, for coating applications, at GXT, company based in Bologna, Italy.

Spatial segregation of substitutional B atoms in graphene patterned by the moiré superlattice on Ir(111)

In this collaborative work where the STiBNite ESR Sena Tömekçe (TUM) is involved, Marc G. Cuxart presents the fabrication of B-doped graphene by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), using borane tetrahydrofuran on iridium substrate, which templates the segregation of boron substitutional atoms. The resulting material has been characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The full paper can be found here.

ESR 5 Sergi poster presentations at CHAINS 2022

ESR 5 Sergi from Leiden University has presented his latest scientific achievements through a poster presentation titled “Synthesis and Characterization of Boron Nitride-doped Graphene on Cu(111) Thin Film & Single Crystal” at the 2022 edition of Chemistry as Innovating Science (CHAINS). The event was held in Veldhoven, The Netherlands on September 21st – 22nd 2022.